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?
I can’t believe this show is being cancelled when crap like survivor et al are “the best shows in tv history,” Just goes to show how dumb the public can be.
I think the way they determined the number of viewers was flawed for Backstrom. Also, I do not think Fox advertised the show as much as it did shows like Dr. House. Backstrom was the funniest show on TV in a long time because of the personification of the characters. Every character represented an extreme version of someone we know in life from the minister to the data analyst. The actors portraying these characters were perfect for their rolls! No dull boring characters in this show and the interaction among the characters was fun! Ever scene captured the audience wondering… Read more »
what is fox thinking best show on tv. recorded every show
That’s sad news. I was really getting to like this series, and having a funny cop show in the lineup was really refreshing. Sorry to see it go and can’t believe the drop in ratings as it went on. My wife hated the first episode, but then realized she was looking forward to next week’s show asa the season progressed.
Very disappointing news.
I’m a very liberal person yet I would tune in to watch Backstrom make people cringe. I think the show suffered from a bad rap right from the beginning with some of my “leftist” friends calling out the behavior of the main character.
It deserved another season.
I am really disappointed. this show never failed to make me laugh out loud!
Keep this show! We finally have something entertaining on TV!
This is, by far, the most entertaining show I’ve seen in a very long time. When I read that it was going to be cancelled, I was so disappointed. The show has everything: a mystery, hilarious comedy, great characters, and I’ll stress again regarding the comedy, hysterical lines. Not to mention heart. The main character turns out to be a real human being with some serious problems. And I want to adopt his roommate! And the concept of Dr. Deb? Fabulous. Please reconsider. Europeans already view Americans as pretty shallow. Do we really need to continue to prove it, by… Read more »
Noooo!!! This is my favorite series. I have all the episodes on DVR. Every time I show an episode to family or friends it is immediate binge watching. Acting is so good. And the characters are complex.
Great Show it’s a keeper
What are the thinking…with online viewing and Hulu you have to adapt your ratings and account for that. This is a fantastic show. Maybe Hulu will pick it up like they did Mindy! Forget cable I’m going directly to Hulu!
Great scripting, even better cast! Good clean family tv, don’t pull it as there is something for everyone in these shows!!
Backstrom is great. It needs a better time and better poromotion. Everyone I know recorded it to watch it for things we missed. Does your ratings include when shows recorded or are we goingvby the old Neilsen ratings datavsystem?
Had to record and watch also, what a talented cast. Was looking forward to Season 2.
Backstrom was a awesome satire of other crime scene investigation shows. For example Needermeyer’s analysis of the crime scene in Chinatown with his chop, chop, chop. My husband and looked forward to this show every Thursday. It was hilarious. Please consider renewing it. There is nothing else like it on TV.
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL BACKSTROM- WE LOVE THAT SHOW. GIVE IT A CHANCE!!