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?
This is a great show!!
Backstrom was my wife’s and my favorite show. It eclipsed The Black List for us which was our former fav. It twisted, turned and made you contemplate where the storyline was heading. I hope they give it another shot!
Keep the series.
Great show, can’t believe Fox is keeping Bob’s Burger’s and other lame shows. And cutting Backstrom.
Fox made a mistake in canceling one of the best shows on television. Fox, rethink this, or, please, another network take on this show. You will have a loyal following. It was so well acted, Rainn Wilson, fantastic!, and did not conform to the pattern of so many other shows on TV.
Backstrom is a smart and refreshing show. A show not dumbed down like most shows and worth waiting for each week. Canceling is s big mistake. Why not expand on other characters and give it chance!!
shocking. fox did something stupid. bring back backstrum if all the actors havent gone to real networks
One of the few network shows I looked forward to watching. Enjoyed the story lines and characters. A creatively fresh approach to “watch me step on some toes” social interaction made me think early in the season this program was doomed. Too innovative. Add the gay twist and strong “here I am like me or not” character of Backstrom’s half brother and good bye great TV watching. And to think you renewed Sleepy Hollow, what a dog of a show and demonstrates how hollow average viewers can be. I doubt I will give Fox my viewing time in the near… Read more »
Fox really dropped the ball on this one. I actually enjoyed this TV Show and looked forward to watching it. I think the real problem was its time slot. I have Stopped watching TV and watch the shows I like Amazon. I don’t mind paying $1.99 Per Episode or just purchasing the Season. I do believe Fox should bring this back for a second season but as we have seen in the past its not about quality in the shows and how good they are its about Ratings. I think Fox should take a look at how many times it… Read more »
My wife and I love this show! It is (was) our new favorite. The cast and writing were great. The day/ time slot should have been adjusted. They did not give this a real chance. Bring it back!
The show was great. I want it back.
I’m so disappointed FOX!!!! I was encouraged to give network TV a chance again this year. So many interesting shows were put forth! I started watching & loving TV again! But as the shows I love & invested my time watching are cancelled one by one I don’t believe I will start watching any new network shows until they have been approved for a second season. Then I will watch the season on Hulu Plus knowing there will be a 2nd season to look forward to & avoid being disappointed time after time!
Nooooooo! Don’t cancel one of the only new really good shows this season!
I am disappointed it was cancelled but not surprised. This was not politically correct enough – even for Fox.
I really like Backstrom! I am so disappointed it was cancelled. The cast and characters were very good and worked well together. I don’t know why it didn’t catch on. We don’t watch network tv anymore. We watch Hulu and Netflux. Maybe it was the day or the time it was on.
Anyway, I am very disappointed!