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.
Was it good? Yes! Was it to slow? Yes. It was asking a lot, for TV/online viewers to wait that long to get all these little bits of information. Everything coming out wants to be the next lost. They want to be this mainstream sci-fi mystery. They seem to forget that lost didn’t start that way. They didn’t give viewers any time ti get invested in the character before they tried to starve ou for the details that were to keep you coming back.
Remember “Journeyman”? Why does NBC even greenlight shows that REQUIRE more than 13 episodes to deliver a satisfactory conclusion?
someone buy this freaking show and it will do good. this is the only good thing on tv. Its like Arrested Development everyone was pissed it got cancelled and now its coming back and everyones gonna freak out
Please bring back Awake. It was the only show that i actually watched, so disappointed it wasn’t given a chance.
This was a show that had a great concept that worked on many levels, I will miss it
Just another reason why we should only start watching dramas on cable. AMC, A&E, HBO, Showtime, FX… to name a few. When a drama starts on these networks (and that includes sci-fi shows), they at least give it a chance. And if they have to cancel it, they wait until the story is over and the viewer is satisfied. NBC doesn’t care about the viewer. If you begin watching a continuing drama on one of the major networks… you’re in for an eventual letdown. Awake was a great show that needed more than 13 episodes to tell its story. NBC… Read more »
SO DISAPPOINTING, but expected. Right now it’s the only show I actually DVR, bring it back!!!
Voldemort cast the killing curse on awake for Lucius’ disobedience! None dare defy the Dark Lord!
That stinks.. A great ORIGINAL show that is so well acted. Wow how about promoting it instead of ending it. I only every found it by accident. Thrilled every time. I am that demographic and I spend money. But I’m not going to watch one more stupid fake reality show or a totally low brow comedy of stereotypes. Good luck NBC you just jumped the shark.
How in the eff does Awake get rated D+…. that’s complete garbage, it is an excellent show…
That’s in ratings, not on the merits of the acting or the story. It was a great show. They just couldn’t get enough people to start/keep watching it.
I am so tired of reality TV and singing and dancing shows that monopolize multiple nights of programming. The networks are terrified to air anything against those shows any other night so we end up with person of interest, awake, touch all crammed in on the same night. Those who still don’t dvr or hulu can’t contribute to the viewership of a show they would probably enjoy. These are the shows for those who like to think and I am so tired of the good shows being stolen from the viewers so quickly. I agree with others that I may… Read more »
Awake is cancelled. The Finder is cancelled (different network, but still a stupid move). Who is running these networks? No let’s put on another stupid reality show. Or maybe another crude and crass comedy that relys on pubic hair jokes for laughs. Now that’s real writing mister! Makes me want to burn my TV. Awake was one of the most original shows this season. If you need proof of the dumbing of our culture, this is one. Can’t believe it.
I just watched all the Awake episodes available on Hulu and it’s a great show. I am disappointed that it’s done.
another great show gets the axe. amc dumps the thrilling rubicon and now nbc flyswats awake because the american polulace might not be able to follow the ingenius premise because we have a collective attention deficit of a gnat! cbs needs to pick this show up!
Bring back Awake.Best acted show on television.