For the most part, FOX has really been struggling this season. When it comes to new shows, Empire is a hit and Gotham’s doing okay but Utopia, Mulaney, Gracepoint, and Red Band Society were dismal failures in the ratings and have already been cancelled. How’s Backstrom doing? Will it survive to see a second season?
On Backstrom, an offensive, irascible yet brilliant detective (Rainn Wilson) is brought back from exile to run Portland Police Bureau’s Special Crimes Unit. The rest of the cast includes Genevieve Angelson, Dennis Haysbert, Kristoffer Polaha, Page Kennedy, Beatrice Rosen, and Thomas Dekker.
With American Idol as a lead-in, the series debuted on January 22nd with a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 7.98 million viewers. That was an okay start but there wasn’t much serious competition on the other networks.
In week two, Backstrom had to start competing with Scandal on ABC and the ratings dropped more than 30%. In week three, NBC’s The Blacklist moved to Thursdays at 9pm and Backstrom dropped another 30% or so once again, falling to a 1.0 in the demo and 3.64 million.
In week four, the FOX series bounced back to a 1.2 in the demo and 4.39 million. Last week’s installment took another big tumble and Backstrom landed at a 0.9 in the demo and 3.54 million.
It’s pretty clear that, while Backstrom may have some devoted viewers, it’s not priority viewing for most people on Thursday nights. It’s pretty consistently in fourth place in its 9pm timeslot and is now FOX’s lowest-rated drama.
With numbers like these, it’s hard to imagine that FOX will renew Backstrom for a second season. FOX has some serious schedule problems but this show doesn’t seem to be a solution. There are eight episodes left in the season (only five are scheduled) so Backstrom has some time to prove itself with better ratings. This seems unlikely but sometimes miracles do happen. Backstrom could certainly use one.
But, what do you think? Do you like Backstrom? If you ran the network, would you cancel or renew this series for a second season? Would you change anything to attract more viewers?
This show is terrific, irreverent, well written and hilarious.
I love this show!..I’m hopeful for another season…I don’t think its getting the advertising it deserves
i like the show .i like how politically incorrect he is .I like that it is not the same old show. FOX prob well cancel it though.
This show is so different. Rainn Wilson is so perfect for the part. I hope they renew it.
These days there isn’t much to laugh about, but tune in and watch Backstrom and you giggle from first line to the preview of the nect week, you have a winner, as as for Armand Neresskans comment about the voice (MR. Haysbert)) well I find it soothing,,just my opion but if you want an opinion on a person who watches alot of television you have a winner big time…
I have just finished watching Backstrom on YouTube as nz stopped showing it. I just thought it was so funny and I really enjoyed it. It’s always good to have a good laugh and this program is just the ticket with a large amount of grittiness thrown in as well.
please please do not cancel this show is funny and we laugh all through the show..so think renew renew
My family really enjoys Backstrom. It’s well written and well acted by a great crew. And it’s hilarious ! The plots as they develop keep you guessing and always surprises at the end as to who the culprit turns out to be. The irreverent Backstrom is the key to the whole program and I ask emphatically that Backstrom is not cancelled.
I love Backstrum. The irreverent humor is perfect and the pairing between Backstrum and his room mate {half brother} is one of the most interesting I’ve seen in a long time.
There is real humanity in this show if you choose to see it.
Sure hope this show is NOT cancelled !
i like the show
Love it! I hope they bring it back. It develops all the characters each week and draws you in.
I enjoy this program. I love that the “Allstate” actor is in it, I disagree with the above comment about his voice and I am for actor/esses moving beyond sterotypes. I enjoy seeing Rainn in such a different character than Dwight. The development of the relationship between the detective and his half brother has been well established. The different personalities of the team work well and will lead to great story lines. I enjoy this program. It makes me laugh and I enjoy the personal and professional story lines… I’m you, and I renew Backstrom so my viewers can continue… Read more »
Maybe if Backstrom stopped offending Christians, the show would have a better following. I would like to watch it, but when he alludes to a believer getting an erection over reading his Bible, you’ve lost one more viewer. Cancel this sick show
I only have one problem with the show. The actor who has been, for years, on the Allstate commercial has such an annoying voice. From so much repetition on Allstate commercials, I always mute the TV whenever his voice is on. When the commercials began, I thought he had a great voice. It’s been overplayed, and I feel like it’s an Allstate commercial every time he speaks in Backstrom. I think everyone else in the cast is great, and this actor does a great job. I believe his voice is too identifiable with the constant barrage of Allstate commercials which… Read more »
I love this show! My fingers are crossed for a season renual….but alas it seems the shows I like always get cancelled…I’m still missing Firefly :, (