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.
WHY?!?!?!?!
Awake is the first show in ages that has me on the edge of my seat. No scenario is too stupid to be believable, no actor so lousy they’re laughable – that’s rare on TV these days. So Two and a Half Men gets renewed for a TENTH season while Awake, an intelligent, well written, finely acted show doesn’t cut it. What a major bummer. I urge all fans to write to NBC in protest.
Awake was the best show I have seen since Battlestar Galactica. Different genre but equally as powerful.
So so so very sorry! There is such an incredible shortage of shows that have an intelligence to them. The main networks will die by these ridiculous decisions and HBO etc. will just keep gaining followers. NBC losing my family forever!
Cant express how moved I have been by the writing, plot, acting of this show. I couldn’t conceive that it was not well received. What a loss for those of us who appreciate efforts beyond mediocrity and banality. These characters were engrossing and relatable. The writing was provacative and evoking. The concept from the start had me hooked. Hope against hope AMC or TNT or Sci Fi would see the caliber of talent and value to this show. It needs to be available to those of us who like to be intellectually aroused. To the powers that be, make a… Read more »
The cancellation proves the false conclusions of the “ratings “. This is one of the many shows cancelled that is superior to everything on tv. Terriers, Awake, Sunset Strip etc. You can’t seriously believe the “ratings.”. “jersey shore”. Is cheap to make. The advertisers are being swindled to pay for advertising on cheap shows being told that it has good “ratings”. Payola? This is 10 x worse, but in the same vein. Where’s the FBI when we need them to investigate Neilson.
O MY G they finally get a show that lets you think a little AND cancel it. f course they had it on a night (Thur) with every other GOOD show from all networks ) well good in my mind!
As we continue to dive to the bottom of the intellectual barrel, I’m not surprised Awake got cancelled.
I agree with both Disappointed and Kathy!! One of the best shows this season. It had interesting plots and great acting. It certainly didn’t insult our intelligence like most of the shows on TV today. It ranks right up there for me with The Good Wife, Person of Interest and Smash. Please can another network pick it up for the next season????? Please!!!!
So disappointed that Awake will not be around for season 2. The plot of Awake is ingenious and Jason Isaacs’ acting is amazing. This is hands down the best show on TV right now.
NBC should have renewed Awake. It’s a great tv show.
I feel so sorry for the writers, actors and creators of this outstanding Emmy worthy production that it was not picked up from the beginning by one of the Cable Networks. I am sure that this show would have been around for years to come if it had been. You have my deepest appreciation for your outstanding work.
Too complicated ??!!?? It was a terrific show. Much better than the moronic reality shows that are an insult to my intelligence. Do us a favor and bring ot back.
Awake was a great show and they should definitely have renewed it.
Wow, that’s to bad.