It’s the nightmare NBC’s Awake fans were dreading. NBC has cancelled the show after 13 episodes and one season.
Created by Kyle Killen (Lone Star), Awake revolves around a police detective (Jason Isaacs) who, after being in a horrific car accident, finds that he’s living in two realities. In one, his son perished — in the other, his wife did. The cast also includes Laura Allen, Steve Harris, Dylan Minnette, B. D. Wong, Michaela McManus, Wilmer Valderrama, and Cherry Jones.
The complex drama had an unimpressive debut back on March 1st, registering a 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.24 million viewers. NBC had released the pilot episode well in advance so some believed that hurt the premiere ratings.
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Theoretically the second episode should have shown signs of growth but it didn’t. Week two dropped 20%. Week three remained stable but subsequent weeks saw additional declines. Last week’s episode hit a new low with a dismal 0.7 rating and just 2.15 million viewers.
This season has averaged a 1.1 rating in the demographic with 3.5 million total viewers. Awake is the third-lowest rated drama on the network, beating only Harry’s Law and The Firm (both of which have been cancelled as well). On our NBC Ratings Report Card, which measures the relative demo performance of shows on the network, Awake has a “D+” grade.
NBC has now cancelled Awake and the series finale is on track to air Thursday, May 24th. While it wasn’t intended as a series finale, Killen has said that he believes the finale is very satisfying.
What do you think? Are you sorry to hear that Awake has been cancelled and won’t be back for a second season? Was the series too complicated for most TV viewers or did it have other problems?
Image courtesy NBC.
ANGELA: They said that one of the reason why they have cancelled the serie was because it was too hard to understand for you! It’s obvious that I’m not refering to ALL the americans, but to the most of them which, probably, are capable to follow just movie plots “American Pie” style… If I want to watch an american series, these are none of your buisness, Jason Isaacs is one of my favourite actors and he is fantastic in this show, so, with your permission, I’m pissed to hear if, because of some idiot, which I repeat, probably it’s one… Read more »
Awake should move to AMC where they’d be welcomed and contribute to the amazing lineup of shows like Walking Dead, Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
I’m So annoyed, this was the only show I was watching. What is wrong with NBC? Stop the reality BS that’s make generational idiots and keep the well written thought provoking entertainment. This happened to me with Flashforward… I’ve all but given up.
Very disappointed that NBC has chosen to cancel AWAKE. I thought it was the best of the new shows that came out. It will be sorely missed.
The American public would rather watch shows like the bachelor, and keeping up with the kardashians. These shows actually make you dumber. Awake was terrific and me and my girlfriend looked forward to watching it every week! I guess NBC will have to replace it with more shows about singers overweight people. How about a show about overweight singers?! TM
I am EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED that Awake has been cancelled. I looked froward to watching it every week and its storyline had such long-term potential. The acting was great and the writing intelligent and engaging. which when you put all together would OBVIOUSLY be reasons to go ahead and cancel it, STUPID, STUPID NBC programming executives!!! Maybe you should be a little more AWAKE and realize that the lowest-common denominator in your viewing audience is not really as low as you think. YOU SUCK, NBC!!!
Ughhh! Yet another creative, thought-provoking show that tests the viewer’s brain has been cancelled. I wish I could say it is unbelievable, but then, I know what to expect from the American public. Too bad; this show was phenomenal, one of the best on tv. I hope Jason Isaacs won’t be so frustrated with American tv that he doesn’t make a return someday.
Not fair. Very good show. Only just started airing here in the UK dubbed as “the critically acclaimed Awake”. Obviously critics don’t have enough clout at NBC.
Dang! I thought this was the best show in years. I didn’t care what time it aired: I never watch live TV. I use a DVR (“TiVo”) for everything so that I can watch it when it’s convenient for me — and I get to skip the ads. But this show had a plot that was fascinating and fun to follow. Isaacs and Minnette are perfect. I loved the dueling psychiatrists, B D Wong all aggressive about “stopping this,” and Cherry Jones all supportive and interested in exploring it. I wonder how they’ll end it.
Well that is retarted… viewing dropped? really?
Where I live it was on tv at 11pm on Thursday nights, how much of the 18-49 year-old audience is willing to stay up until midnight on a workday?
Very disappointing! This show did require the viewer to enagage their brain. It was complex and thought provoking. The acting was above average. The show had heart. Too bad!
GAWDAMMIT !!!!!! This pisses me off !! GREAT acting from the whole cast; great writing. I rarely get through an episode dry eyed. I have loved Isaacs as an actor for years and always thought he would be awesome in this kind of a role. I would have killed to see him become James Bond instead of Daniel Craig. Just figures. America can’t get enough of the same crap copied over and over and over (ER, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Law & Order). True testament to the stupidity of the common viewer. What REALLY pisses me off is they put the… Read more »
I could not agree more!
sooooo disappointed! I was feeling that the network had FINALLY come up with a SMART show that made me THINK!!! Guess that’s not what other viewers are looking for?
I’m so disappointed. I loved this show. I couldn’t wait until the next week. It’s May, all shows are probably down with people getting school wrapped up and end of year activities.
Boooo! I love this show. So DISAPPOINTED NBC.