ABC recently debuted the last of their new dramas for this season, Body of Proof. Many of the alphabet network’s successful TV shows are slowly losing viewers so they’ve been trying to establish a new crop of hour series. No Ordinary Family, Detroit 1-8-7, and Off the Map have all been disappointments and are sure to be cancelled in May. What about this new TV show?
Body of Proof revolves around Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany), a brilliant neurosurgeon whose world is turned upside down after a devastating car accident. No longer able to operate, Megan becomes a top medical examiner. Using her instincts and sharp mind, she can uncover what happened to the people that end up in front of her. Co-stars include Jeri Ryan, Geoffrey Arend, John Carroll Lynch, Windell Middlebrooks, Nic Bishop, and Sonja Sohn.
Last week’s debut followed the results edition of Dancing with the Stars. In that plum position, it attracted a healthy 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 11.15 million viewers. The episode started with a 3.4 rating and ended with a 2.9 rating so, most liked what they saw and watched the whole episode. With such a great lead-in, it wasn’t a surprise that the premiere won the timeslot.
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On Sunday, ABC aired the second episode behind Desperate Housewives, Delany’s home for two seasons. That didn’t do so well and lost a third of the Housewives audience, registering a 2.0 in the demo and 8.49 million viewers. Still, the added exposure for Body of Proof was positive and would hopefully lead to more people watching on Tuesday.
That didn’t happen. This week, Body of Proof registered a 2.4 rating in the demo and 11.15 million viewers. That’s a decline of 23% when compared to the debut. That’s quite a drop but a 2.4 is still positive. The Dancing with the Stars lead-in was down by 26% so that’s a pretty good indication that Body of Proof is quite dependent on its lead-in.
While Body of Proof has had a positive start, we won’t know its chances for a renewal for a few more weeks. No Ordinary Family started with a 3.2 rating, fell to a 2.7 in week two and just kept falling. If Body of Proof does that, the series is doomed. If the ratings even off, it should be safe — especially since all of ABC’s other new dramas have tanked.
But, what do you think? Is Body of Proof worth watching? Do you like it? Would you renew it or, cut to the chase and just cancel it now?
Image courtesy ABC.
this show reminds me of quincy as i loved that show keep this on
As much as Dana Delany is easy on the eyes, it’s still another “medical examiner as cop” formula, which as we know doesn’t exist in real life.
The theme is growing weary but for me the jury is still out on this one.
I’ve found each episode seems to get a little better so I feel we should give it more time. It seems networks are a little too knee jerk with respect to ratings.
I found Dana Delaney’s character smug and annoying, and stopped watching after 10 minutes.
I like the show, though imo the first 2 episodes were better than the 3rd. I like the characters of Megan, Kate and Peter is growing on me, but the rest of the cast/characters I’m indifferent.
Body is Proof is okay – trying to be an ensemble it doesn’t yet hold together – more entertainenet than complexity. This show doesn’t hold a candle to Detroit 187; please give Detroit a chance with a 2nd season. These interesting, complex and prickly characters are not easy to get to know, like many good relationshhips it will ripen slowly. As an ensemble the talented actors came together quickly. This is almost theater rather than television. No melodrama, lots of richness. Give it another try. Who cares about Body of Proof. It’s nice, a bit silly, like Castle or the… Read more »
I love Dana Delauney, and Body of Proof is great. It should be continue!
I would enjoy it if it did not have the invasive background music. This needs to be lowered or removed. It spoils the program when I have to keep adjusting the volume to hear what the actors are saying.
Elizabeth
It’s idiotic to make judgments based on 3 episodes at most — you need at least half a dozen to get even a remotely reliable indication of where the show is going. Three shows isn’t enough to spot a sleeper hit, and given the general lack of imagination at the broadcast networks and the dearth of good adult drama, sleeper hits among the new shows are the most any of the networks can hope for right now. That said, I don’t mind what I’ve seen of this show so far, and I like both Dana Delany and Jeri Ryan. More… Read more »
its a fun show; keep it! but i would like it to run at 9 instead of 10
I really don’t think it would be a wise choice to cancel body of proof
it is the only good mystery medical show on air these days .
It does no good to cancel it so soon give the show a decent chance.
This show is probably doomed. As a show, it is about average because there isn’t really any chemistry and nothing interesting happening. Delany’s character is a kind of loner who doesn’t connect with people. That means she won’t connect with audiences either. She misses the engaging personality quirks that make other unusual protagonists like House or Monk interesting to watch.
I wasn’t all that impressed with the premier. My review is here: http://tinyurl.com/3uq43kc
I’ll have to catch the last two episodes online. I like Dana Delany, so I hope the show improves.
My husband and I have both watched the show and like it alot! There is just something about her that you want to like even though no one on the show seems to like her!
If canceling Body of Proof brings back Detroit 1-8-7, then cancel foe sure!!
This is good show, however if they want better ratings need to move it OUT of the timeslot that hold Parenthood AND The Good Wife. Those shows already have faithful viewers and I doubt they will miss their favorite shows to “try” another show.
Body of Proof is OK but No Ordinary Family and Off the Map are way better.I hope you are wrong about them getting cancelled.