As expected, ABC has cancelled their summer series Black Box after one season of 13 episodes, reports EW.
Black Box revolves around a beautiful and brilliant neuroscientist (Kelly Reilly) who’s hiding the fact that she’s bipolar. The rest of the cast includes Ditch Davey, David Ajala, Terry Kinney, Ali Wong, David Chisum, Laura Fraser, Siobhan Williams, and Vanessa Redgrave.
The series debuted in late April to a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.87 million viewers. It was a mediocre start for the dramatic series and the numbers got progressively worse as new episodes were released. Towards the end of its 13 episode run, Black Box dropped to a 0.6 demo rating with 3.72 million.
The last two episodes aired on July 24th, leaving the main character’s professional fate up in the air.
What do you think? Did you like the Black Box series? Do you think that it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season? Why do you think the show didn’t catch on?
My dad works for a tv rating company and I always blame his company jokingly for cancelation of shows. Once in a while I even ask if to cheat but he can’t. Since I was 4 years old I’ve appealed to neuro surgery I really did love this show. I guess not many people liked it the way I do so it never really caught on. When it started it was #6 on The drama tv shows so I guess it plummeted from there
We want more!!!!
This is why i’m done watching ABC shows… you leave us with cliff hangers and then cancel great shows… F*** ABC, i’m watching shows elsewhere…
Black box was one of the most brilliant shows on tv. It was smart, complicated, mysterious, engaging, I could go on and on. It is truly a shame this show won’t be give another season.
Bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!
BLACK BOX is a wonderful serial, intrigant, interesting, scientific, romantic, social, dynamic!!! My husband and I, our numerous family friends, we all LOVE this serial and we’re looking forward for MORE seasons!
I really enjoyed watching this show last season. I don’t watch a lot of TV ,but I made sure I watched Black Box. It would be nice to see it come back on.
Black Box was inspiring and illuminating to me. Cancelling a show based on the half that didn’t like it and ignoring the half that did is like thinking of the half of the pizza that you ate instead of realizing that there’s more left.
great argument!
Felt the show was entertaining and informative. Reilly’s portrayal was illuminating.
Noooo!!! 🙁 I can’t believe this show was cancelled for season 2!! What I find even more crazy is the fact of hearing that the ratings dropped by the last 2 episodes?? How? I was GLUED to the show! It was such an interesting topic with mental illness, (which is so common now), and the characters were fantastic together with great acting. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!!! …So upset about this.
I think the major drop in ratings towards the end was the time change. Not the kind of show to watch at 8pm, still a busy time for most. Plus the subject matter was not family friendly for people who have younger children. When it went to that time after being on at 10pm I even had to DVR it. Does that count for ratings? Also the advertisement of the show was scarce.
Very disappointed Black Box was cancelled. I think the show really touched on an interesting topic, the brain, and mental issues. I also like the characters, come on lets bring it back!!
I really liked this show. I know several people with bipolar disorder and was thrilled to see an insightful drama focused on it. It helped me to better understand my bipolar friends and family. Most people that I talked to about it, never even heard of it. Why didnt ABC give it a fair chance?
First, the general population doesn’t understand bipolar disorder.
Although the show was well done, the premiss was ludicrous. An entire team of expert neurologists devoted to neuroscience medicine & no one notices she’s bipolar? Really?
Having the figure being the brilliant problem solver who saves lives by going off her meds is a romanticized stretch of this disorder, sends the wrong message & is offensive.
Then the chief of staff learns of her disorder & drug abuse but let’s it slide? On what non-lawsuit waiting to happen planet are they?
How’d she make it through med school without being id’d?
Look the show may not have been totally realistic, as it had to be entertaining as well. But the thread of truth is a lot of bipolar people do feel more creative and super human, while off meds, on the up side. I’m sure in time all the scenarios would have played out. Still the show was interesting and not another crime show, which to me is getting old. Plus I really liked the jazzy music.
I agree totally.
You apparently do not know many (any) individuals with BiPolar Disorder. That’s too bad.
This was a very well done show. It had interesting characters, very thought provoking story lines and wonderful camera work. I am disheartened that it was cancelled. I think it was not given the chance it deserves premiering in the summer time. I would love to see it return.
Interesting and thought provoking show. People need to be more aware of how to cope with mental issues that they or a loved one might be enduring. ABC didn’t give this one a chance!
Exactly. No promotion, wrong release time, nothing. I don’t remember seeing one upcoming ad – I came across it by chance and like everyone who’s seen it – loved it. I never hear a bad or mediocre review. They cancelled only on the number of viewers. Whose fault is that?