It looks like we may have the second cancellation of the 2019-20 television season — and the second for NBC. While the network hasn’t officially cancelled the Bluff City Law TV series, NBC has opted not to order any additional episodes. The first season is being capped at just 10 episodes.
Airing on Monday nights, the Bluff City Law TV series stars Jimmy Smits, Caitlin McGee, Scott Shepherd, Barry Sloane, Michael Luwoye, MaameYaa Boafo, Stony Blyden, and Jayne Atkinson. Coming from a famous Memphis family that’s known for taking on injustice, a brilliant lawyer named Sydney Strait (McGee) used to work at her father Elijah’s celebrated law firm until their tumultuous relationship got in the way. After barely speaking to Elijah (Smits) for years, Sydney is suddenly thrust back into the family fold when her philanthropist mother passes away unexpectedly. In the wake of the loss of his wife and in hopes of reconnecting with the daughter he loves, Elijah asks Sydney to rejoin his Civil Rights firm and take on a chemical company whose product may cause cancer. Despite her lingering resentment and distrust, she agrees because she knows that working alongside her father is her best hope at changing the world — as long as they can find a way to get along. No sooner has Sydney returned than she stumbles on a secret that Elijah has been keeping from her that may change everything.
After four episodes, the first season of Bluff City Law is averaging a 0.65 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 3.99 million viewers. The series, which follows The Voice (NBC’s highest-rated show) drew a 0.81 rating with 4.61 million viewers in its premiere. The most recent installment hit a 0.50 demo with just 3.39 million.
With numbers like these, it’s no surprise that NBC isn’t ordering any additional episodes and, unless the ratings start to miraculously climb, a second season renewal seems like a longshot, at best.
The network clearly had high hopes for Bluff City Law in that the programmers gave it a strong lead-in. Also, in August, NBC ordered six additional scripts, likely with the expectation of ordering additional first season episodes.
For now, it looks like the peacock network plans to air the remaining six episodes. Those plans could certainly change, especially if the ratings continue to fall. Last week, NBC cancelled the Sunnyside comedy series and plans to release the remaining episodes online.
What do you think? Do you like the Bluff City Law TV show? Do you think that it should be cancelled?
Awesome Aries PLEASE do not cancel
Great show!! Don’t cancel
Please don’t cancel the show. Great writing and acting. It is the kind of show that grows a following over multiple years.
BLUFF CITY Law is an excellent show and should be renewed!
Love the show’s plots and characters. Please don’t cancel this show
We LOVE this show. It is decent, clean, well acted and thought provoking. We need this show and more like it.
please don’t cancel
please don,t cancel love this show
It is my opinion that Bluff City Law is one of the best-written shows on TV. Add the top-notch acting cast and that spells “hit show” to me…regardless of ratings. My favorite show is Blue Bloods. Bluff City Law is a close second. I record everything I watch, never watching live TV. (I can’t stand commercials…thank goodness for fast-forward.) I am not sure how show ratings are determined or calculated. But I venture to say because I “record” everything I enjoy viewing, I am not considered part of the viewing public for any show I watch. Therefore, my viewing doesn’t… Read more »
Please DON’T cancel this series. It has interesting stories with excellent acting
Please DON’T cancel this series!!!! It has interesting stories with excellent acting!!!!
I really like Bluff City Law. It is well written; more grit and depth than the 1st season of All Rise. I don’t understand why it may be cancelled. Of all the new shows that started this season ( I recorded all of them initially), Bluff City Law is the only one that has kept my interest. Give it a chance.
Please renew Bluff City Law for a second season. It is a well written drama and I love the characters. There are other programs that keep getting renewed and they can’t compete with Bluff City Law in my opinion! Give it a chance.
Please bring bluff city law back for a second season. The show is well written with interesting characters and unique background. Love seeing the Memphis backdrop.
I think “Bluff City Law” is one of the best TV series on TV. Very sad that it will likely not be renewed.
10pm is a kiss of death time slot….ip against MNF in most markets.
Great cast. Hope it is picked up by another network…broadcast or cable.