Rainn Wilson had a long run on NBC’s The Office but his own TV series Backstrom has been cut short. FOX has cancelled the series after one season of 13 episodes.
On Backstrom, an offensive, irascible yet brilliant detective (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.
The show debuted in late January to a decent 1.95 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 7.98 million viewers. Unfortunately, the numbers took a big dive in episode two with the ratings falling more that 30%. They fell almost as much again in week three. After a brief rebound, the numbers kept sinking lower and lower.
The 13th and (now) final episode drew a 0.7 in the demo with 2.8 million viewers. The ratings were just too low to justify a second season.
What do you think? Did you like the Backstrom TV show on FOX? Why do you think it didn’t catch on? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
Backstrom is a fantastic show. I hope there is a station out there who is smart enough to pick them up. I have a 19 yr old and I’m 40, good demographic bring it back. Regards.
Very upset about Backstrom being cancelled. This was an awesome
Show!! I LOVED the writing!! Very disappointed FOX
Piss off FOX. Backstrom is good.
Good show – great characters – needed some intelligence to fully understand the roles – probably why FOX cancelled it – does not play to the majority…..
I am absolutely stunned. Backstrom has to be one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. All of the actors are top notch, the writing is amazing, and the humor is just what an intelligent audience has been craving. It’s pitiful. I feel bad for the actors. Shame on fox.
One of the best shows in years, especially coming out of Fox. I cannot believe this will not be renewed. What a shame. This was by far my family’s favorite show this year, and was a great performance y Rainn and cast. Hopefully another station will pick it up . . .
I tried Backstrom for a couple of episodes, but it just wasn’t very good. Wilson’s character was too over the top. There’s no way any department would keep him on the force with that attitude and inappropriate behavior, I don’t care how good he is.
i’m you. i just dedicated 13 hours of my life to a seemingly-great new TV show, only to be hit in the kneecap by a hapless brain-dead American TV audience that cannot recognize or support quality programming. i’m you. i’m spilling my coffee down my robe as I read the morning news and learn that Backstrom is canceled…now i will never know if he would be clean and sober or something else. i’m wondering, is that docked barge now for rent? what a great apartment! Backstrom is dead, long love Backstrom!
That has got to be one of the smartest replies I have ever read. Good job.
LOL – genius.
I’m pretty upset myself. I had no idea until last week that there was a chance of cancelation. After all, who wouldn’t like this show?? Maybe it’s just not PC enough for today, who knows .. Too bad. I’ll really miss it.
So sorry to see it go!
one of the best shows in years should have never been canceled
BOO! Great show, figures that they would take an offbeat show out of the lineup!
VERY UNHAPPY, LOVED BACKSTOM.
I don’t have the time to watch television during the week, but I always make time to watch this show. Upsetting that they would cancel a show with such original characters.
Backstrom is a hillarious not your run-of-the-mill network tv show…and so, it gets canceled. I’m so f-in bummed. How do they figure these ridiculous ratings anymore, anyway? Most people don’t watch shows “in time” on telly anymore, some watch them later on a computer, or tivo them so how can you get an accurate reading from just the airing of a show? You can’t. So, FOX, you’re being really stupid and canceling a show that many, many more people watch than you even have a clue. This show is offbeat, original, funny, smart, entertaining… the cast is wonderful and have… Read more »
Great series I watched every week on show box as I didn’t no what channel it was on or time /day would love to see another series maybe with better advertisement it would take off alot bigger as I don’t no anyone that didn’t like the show that had seen it
I love this show! It has great story lines, the characters and deep but and interesting.
They never gave this show a chance! Yet keep running some of the same old crap that is on every other channel. These are the same geniuses who canceled :
Fire Fly
King of the hill
Raising hope
Arrested development