When Alcatraz debuted, it looked like the show had a very good chance at being renewed for a second season. But how do things look now? Will the TV series be cancelled after all?
Alcatraz follows police detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and Dr. Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia) as they try to solve the mystery of how 340 prison inmates and guards disappeared in 1963 and are now reappearing in modern day. The cast also includes Jonny Coyne, Parminder Nagra, Jason Butler Harner, and Sam Neill.
The TV show debuted with a solid 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.05 million total viewers. In week two, the demo slipped 9% to a still respectable 3.0 rating with 9.03 million. New shows typically fall 15-20% in their second week so this was a good sign. Week three dropped another 7%. That wasn’t positive but not horrible either.
Unfortunately, the ratings have just kept falling. In February, NBC kicked off the second season of The Voice and Alcaraz took a big hit, dropping 18% on February 6th and then another 17% on the 13th. And the numbers just keep going down. Last week’s episode was a series low with a 2.1 in the demo.
For the first time in many years, the big networks all have really strong programming on Monday nights and FOX has ended up on the bottom. House, which is in its final season, keeps dropping and so does Alcatraz.
Alcatraz’s season average is currently a 2.3 in the demo with 7.1 million. On our FOX report card — which ranks the network’s shows based on demo averages — Alcatraz has a “C.” Terra Nova, which has already been cancelled, had a better demo average and has a “C+”. When a show that was performing better than yours has been cancelled, that’s not a good sign.
Alcatraz is definitely on the bubble but, in light of the downward ratings trend, I expect it to be cancelled by May. There’s just no reason to expect that the series will do any better if given a second season.
But, what do you think? Do you think Alcatraz will beat the odds and be renewed for a second season? Should it be cancelled?
Image courtesy FOX.
Haven’t watched TV since Legend Of the Seeker had been canceled, especially Fox shows as I got tired of getting into a really good show to have it canned. Ended up watching the show when my wife caught it in a Hulu advertisement and had at first assumed it was a remake of the old movie but after seeing an episode, got hooked. The Season Finale shocked the heck outa me so hope it at least gets continued to at least finish the show off.
Please don’t cancel this show. Please? I personally think that this is one of the most interesting and fantastic show on television. (Since Lost, anyway.) I love Alcatraz. The writing, the actors, the whole idea is just…genius. It truly is for lack of a better word. I hope FOX actually reads these comments. Do not cancel this show.
We finally get something interesting to warch again and TV ratings takes it off. I’m not into reality shows or sitcoms and I think this show should at least be given another chance if for no other reason than to give us answers. If more of my shows get cancelled I’m giving the TV away and watch old movies on my computer.
I really question the rating system. They keep the shows that have no creativity and reality -there is nothing more boring that reality (I watch TV to escape it, not get more of it) and comedies that aren’t even funny and then, they nix a show like Alcatraz? Maybe the system that rates shows should be the thing cancelled.
There is nothing worse that starting a mystery and having to solve it by making up the rest of the story myself! Can you at least make it into a book? I am dying here.
This was the last straw for me. I am sick of getting wrapped up in a show only to have it cancelled-examples, Pushing Daisies, “V”, Terra Nova, Alcatraz. Don’t they realize that canceling these great shows with ongoing story lines like Alcatraz is going to eventually kill off their viewing audience? We now have the option of just switching to watching shows on Netflix AFTER we know the show made it.
I think it should be put on wed. (nothing on tv to watch on wed night) I like the show and watch it through demand so i don’t miss it
[…] Final season averages: 2.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.74 million total viewers. Will these be enough for a season two renewal? […]
I think they should renew it on a new night, at least for a few weeks to see how that works out for them, ratings-wise…it’s a MUCH better show than Terra Nova was, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the actors. It really sucks that they can’t factor in all the people that DVR the show, since that is a very common thing these days. This show is honestly one of the best ones they’ve had on FOX in a longggg time. PLEASE give it another shot, FOX! Just try a new night if you can!
I really hope they do not cancel it. I like the show and the actors. Please renew it.
This is the first thinking persons television show produced in ages… and noone wants to watch it? The writing, the concept, the acting and the production value are far above average and, yet another, “talent” show (from a seemingly endless pool of up and comers) knocks it off the block? That is a sad statement about the state of the viewers in the chosen demographic in my opinion. Many new and innovative shows have had a rough start and ended up being classics… hope Fox is wise enough to allow for this show to gain its’ footing.
I do not feel Alcatraz should be canceled. This is a really good show and I cannot wait until the next time it comes on. I have a hard time sitting and watching TV but this show really holds my interest. I think the cast is great! Really glad to see Lost’s ‘Hurley’ on TV again. Please!!!!! Do not cancel this show!!!!!!!!
PLEASE RENEW
Fox please save the show. Give it one more season.
DON’T CANCEL THIS SHOW! My family LOVES it!