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.
 Loading ... |
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.
To say I am disappointed is an understatement. This show should not be cancelled, please bring it back, change the day/time slot if you have to but please don’t cancel this show.
I was severely disappointed when Awake was cancelled. I wish PBS would take it on.
I think Issacs said it best before Awake debuted here in the US – the the concept was “high” for US networks. Read his quote from:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/jun/19/jason-isaacs-i-like-being-anonymous
“Isaacs worries: ‘There’s a risk Awake is too high-concept for US networks. The US shows I love – Mad Men, Sopranos – would never work on network TV. This has to work on network TV, like House or CSI. And I’ve got producer credit. Lots of shows get canned mid-series because they didn’t sell to middle America.’ ”
I love the show. It is well written and acted. It is thought provoking and entertaining at the same time. Not to mention that Jason Isaacs is smokin’ hot!! Looking forward to the last two episodes, but sorry it won’t be back next fall.
Seriously disappointed. I found Awake to be inventive certainly not the run-of-the-mill boob tube drama. Are Americans so dead that they can’t be challenged to follow a plot line that actually causes one to pay a bit of attention to what is happening? Hello to Jason Issacs!
I cant believe they cancelled this show. This show is awesome. I hope you dont put on some reality tv show crap..
Best new show of last season and now cancelled! I don’t know why NBC doesn’t spend some money promoting these shows. I have never seen one ad for this one. I like Jason Isaacs and tuned in from the first episode and have found the show getting better and better as we learned more. VERY sad that it’s over and that one of the few intelligent shows on these days is gone. Really…but let’s bring back all the reality crap because God knows we haven’t had enough of that $#*!
Our family loved, loved, loved this show. We are not be TV watchers but this held our interest. Smart and complex, great acting — what gives????
This is so disappointing. My wife and I love this show. We finally make some progress on the crash plot and BOOM. Series over. Unacceptable.
R U Crazy? One of the few shows I enjoyed watching.
My wife and I want this show to be picked up by another network!! Other networks I hope you’re listening
I am not surprised this show was cancelled. It was smart and I liked it. I had the same feeling watching this as I did when I watched Kings-this is too good so it won’t last. Every time NBC has something innovative, they don’t give it a chance. There is a reason they are rated number 4.
Awake is the best – are they crazy!!
Wow, really? I can’t believe they are canceling this. This show is amazing. Last week’s episode… AWESOME. I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to watch it over and over! I agree with others that the “average” viewer probably had a hard time keeping up and comprehending what was going on in both lives. But, that was the beauty of this show! It makes you think. Ugh, what a disappointment. I would love it if another network picked it up! It’s too amazing to just let go. *Fingers Crossed*
I was floored that this was cancelled. I have a friend that always asks me which new series he should start watching as he has a crazy work schedule and has to watch seasons via netflix. This was one I told him would be great to get hooked on.
My wife and I loved this show ever since we saw the previews! NBC needs to let these shows develop atleast into a 2nd Season.
Being honest though, I did wonder how long would or could they hold on to the duel story line? Maybe the story was too straight forward without room for expansion like Lost and Fringe. But they knew this when creating the Pilot!
Great Job to all the actors involved, loved Episode 12’s Acting by Jason Isaacs. Had me tearing up!!