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?
I think Backstrom is brilliant it’s diffrent and very well written there definitely should be a second season
I love this show! The writing and acting is really good….fresh and not predictable. I love the characters…besides Backstrom, my next favorite is his son Valentine. Please keep this show going!! Please keep some shows for my demographic.
This was a really good show. Unusual in so many gratifying ways. Please bring it back!
Get with the program, this show was excellent
Keep this show going.
I really enjoyed Backstrom. It was witty, irreverent, and different. The character was gritty and delightfully straightforward. I was greatly looking forward to season 2. I used to watch a lot of TV. A lot, has become rarely. If this show goes I might as well give my TV away.
RENEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And change the night it’s on…..how blind do you have to be to see that Thursday nights are a terrible choice, I mean it is like the network wanted it to fail…change it to tues when there isn’t much…but thursday when Scandal, and Grey’s anatomy, and Blacklist is on. Worst scheduling. Pick a night when there is not one of the top rated shows on. I faithfully watched Backstrom Every thursday night and recorded Scandal to watch later. But KEEP the Show, it’s amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you kidding me you finally get a great, funny, intelligent show with fabulous characters and you cancel it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????? I loved this show! What nut case makes these decisions to cancel great shows . . . makes me never want to watch television again. You should bring this show back it was the best one you had.
The people at Fox r a bunch of stupid idiots. To cancel a show after one season because the ratings fluctuated a little bit, is rediculous. My husband and I loved the show. I just don’t understand these CEO’s. All you’ve got on TV anymore today is a bunch of reality garbage. There is hardly any good dramas on tv. This show had some drama and comedy. We loved it. Fox, ur dumbasses!!
I couldn’t agree more!!! Total idiots! FOX, do something right for a change and give this one another shot!
backstrom is the best show on the network or that of any other networks. It is the only show my husband will watch on any network.
It’s funny and Rainn Wilson plays the part perfectly.
Keep this show on and I think it will attract many more TV viewers.
i ‘m Chinese，not very good at English，but with simple words（thanks to the help of Google translation），i just want to say：love the show，more love to the actors
Great show. One of the best on tv. Please bring it back for season 2.
I love Backstrom its hard to believe it will be canceled finally a police show that is realistic and believable. I have a DVR and record lots of programs I never seem to watch but I always watch this show first. Im a 50 year old guy and I am not sure where I fit in the demographics Backstrom is a good show.
thanks for hearing me out,
jeff
I really liked Backstorm i recorded it every week and couldn’t wait to see the next episode i like a show with comedy and drama and this show has both
Can’t wait for season 2
I just found out that Backstrom has been canceled. I’m so bummed!!!