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.
This show was intelligent – witty – put together. It is truly sad that the shows that NBC chose to keep were filled with dumb humor for the morons of the world!
Nooooooo! This was such a great show so far! I don’t have TV, so I watch this on Hulu. Does Hulu get considered in the ratings? Love all the actors… super bummed 🙁
Great show I just sat nd watched the whole season in one day it kept me guessing every moment why is NBC so simple minded can we keep a show on the air for those like watching shows that have some real substance.
The low ratings are wrong, not from an advertiser’s perspective, but because of TiVo, online, and other sources. I watched the show religiously, but never a single ad during the show. I Tivo everything. I never watch ads on any shows anymore unless my hands are busy and I can’t reach for the remote fast forward button. Years ago with Heroes, I watched it whenever on NBC.com, but the wifi was too buggy, so I got Tivo. The only shows that lose something when time-shifted are news weather and contests (Idol, Voice) that audiences participate in. Broadcast executives should be… Read more »
This is so tutu I watched the whole series on Hulu.com
I have to agree. People seem to enjoy reality (why they are called that is unbelievable) based shows. I found Awake to be extremely interesting. Guess that is why I read quite a bit. Most video programing leaves a lot to be desired. I really hope someone will pick this program up and breathe life back into it. I also enjoyed Life & Journeyman, both cancelled after a short run.
I must be dreaming…. Its the best show on t.v. move it to HBO….
Seriously!
Why do we have to “dumb down” shows just to get people to watch. This was a GREAT SHOW. Superb acting. Creative plot. PLEASE, reconsider. Give it the proper buildup it deserves.
I absolutely loved the series! I was so disappointed to hear that it will not be renewed for a new season. The characters were intelligent and the plot and concept were so original. I looked forward to Thursday evenings to watch another episode. I hope NBC reconsiders and renews the series. There is so little on T V these days of any real substance.
I was really enjoying the show Awake. It was such a new and unique concept and I enjoyed the characters. Very Very dissapointed it is being cancelled. Please reconsider!
The only new drama on network television in years that I have had any interest in. This show was classy and well done. I became aware of it from the accolades given it from several friends. I didn’t know about it’s poor ratings. Poor NBC.
I am very upset that there will not be a season 2 :-(!! I really was starting to get into watching it. My mom, sister and sister in law were going to start watching. I always watched it on demand…I love it I hope nbc doesn’t cancel it.
Awake is an awesome show. People just don’t know good TV anymore. It’s sad. Definitely hope the show catches on to another network. My wife and I are going to miss it.
Awake was absolutely a great show. I looked forward to watching it every week and was so impressed with the plot and could not wait til the next show! NBC by all means put on another stupid singing show, I’ll be happy to watch another cha nnel that offers a show with action and meaning! Sell it to another station, please.
My husband like this show. It is complicated, however, that makes it thrilling. I would love to see this come back. It is a real puzzle that keeps you guessing. We are really going to miss it. This show has no profanity (unless I missed it) and no explicit make out scenes. Very refreshing to watch a show and not be subject to sex or profanity. I like to show very very much. We even stayed up until 10 pm to watch the show. Even though that meant getting in bed late.
I thought Awake was one of the better shows that has aired in a long time. I think the writers were brilliant. I did think the final episode did feel like a conclusion to the series, but I am sad that it is finished. I really enjoyed watching it.