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?
Please bring it back, we finally had a show to watch.
This was a great show…. Stupid Fox! *sigh….
I’m you…
Stupid Fox…. This was a great show…. boooooooooooooooooo!!!
Liked the show as well.
The lead episodes might not have been their strongest, but momentum picked up as the weeks progressed. The cast was very a very interesting mix of talent, personality, and issues – like real life! Unfortunate they lost the hope of a following with the initial offerings.
i really love this show and i am very sad they are cancelling it! how about giving these new show more than 13 eps to draw us in? geez..
Yep, I am sincerely bummed this show is canceled. I absolutely loved it. Especially when you really started to see some character development and I think that very last scene was an incredible performance by Wilson. Come on Fox! Get a grip!
I agree with the above I thought it was different and very in lighting since all the other detective shows are almost the same. I wanted at least another year.
How can such an entertaining show like Backstrom be cancelled?! For once in a long time I found a show that is actually worth watching. I look forward to watching it every week! Plus being an Oregonian made it extra special. They should definitely make a second season!!!
I agree it should be picked up, there are too few shows on that
I find interesting enough to watch, seems like if my family
Really likes a show, it gets cancelled!
One season, I don’t think it was given enough time.
I like the show very much. I don’t usually have comments on these issues but I felt like you are making mistake taking it off the air.
The Backstrom show is GREAT! Its like any other show give it time to develop and unfold. There are so many ways the show was branching into and then YOU the EXECS! just ruin it and pull the plug SERIOUSLY FOLKS. Every show has a beginning and a development stage so it can start its snow ball effect. The great show was cut short b/c the EXECS just didn’t have the guts and FAITH to pull the trigger and let it fly. Backstrom does have a loyal fan base. Backstrom gave us something we all need. A character that is… Read more »
A shame to see this show get cut. Time slots are crap…no one watches TV ‘live’ anymore.
I never liked Rainn on the Office but thought he was brilliant on this show. It was like a remake of House with cops…hope another channel will pick it up…most of the shows on TV are crap…this one makes you think and remember what happened previously on the show…Fox just sucks…
Backstrom was one of the shows all of my family would watch! It was our Thursday night show! We actually got along while watching it! Please don’t take that away! Plus Backstrom is amazing!
I agree with the comments that Backstrom needs to be brought back. It is quirky but that makes good television. I agree with the comment that a different time slot would help in garnering better ratings.
honest;ly this is horrible – finally you get a show with humans acting like real humans and its gone – put on an insane sit com and it gets renewed – Longmire:gone. CSI: gone. Harrys Law: gone………….. I am loosing faith in recreational TV watching and am going back to just reading books