ABC has been searching for new hit dramas to replace their older ones for some time. Lost went off the air in 2010, Brothers & Sisters was cancelled last May, and Desperate Housewives is ending next spring. Last season, Body of Proof was the only new drama that held any promise and ABC renewed it. In retrospect, was that a mistake?
Body of Proof stars Dana Delany as Doctor Megan Hunt, a former neurosurgeon who became a medical examiner after a serious car accident. Megan can be difficult to work with but won’t give up until she gets answers and expects the best from herself and her co-workers. Others in the cast include Jeri Ryan, Nicholas Bishop, Geoffrey Arend, Windell D. Middlebrooks, John Carroll Lynch, and Sonja Sohn.
The show debuted in late March 2011 to a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 13.94 million viewers. In light of the failures of ABC’s other new dramas, this one looked very promising. The rating numbers fell off pretty quickly for subsequent episodes but the first season still ended up averaging a 2.3 rating in the demo and 11.13 million viewers. Performance-wise, Body of Proof was in the middle of the pack as the eighth most-watch show of ABC’s season (out of 18 scripted series).
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Last season ended with a disappointing 2.1 demo rating and this season didn’t start off much better, registering a 2.2 with 9.4 million viewers. The numbers have gotten even worse and the show has hit a series low of a 1.8 in the demo on three occasions. The seven episodes that have aired so far this season have averaged a 1.9 in the demo and 9.45 million, a decline of 17% in the demo when compared to last year’s average.
The show is currently the lowest-rated scripted series on the network. Though total viewership is fairly positive, unless the demo ratings get better, it’s hard to imagine that we’ll see ABC ordering any more episodes or a third season.
On the positive side, ABC only aired nine of the 13 installments that were produced for season one. Since the show started so late in the season, execs chose to hold the remaining four until season two. Combined with a typical second season order for 13 installments, they have 17 episodes for the 2011-12 season. Given the current numbers, that’s likely as close as Body of Proof is going to get to a full season order.
But, what do you think? Is Body of Proof still worth watching? Should ABC stick with it or just cancel it already?
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Image courtesy ABC.
Why is it that GREAT TV is always getting cancelled. It really peaves me to no end. I swear everytime you put a great drama on with a bit of humor mixed in-CANCELLED…I swear TV only gears its viewing audience to people that like reality crap and have the IQ of 96. I love intelligent dramas, comedys and the like. I love Big Bang theory and am amazed that it is still on. Because it has really intelligent humor. People must watch because Raj cant talk to girls unless he is drunk… I know TV makes shows that make money,… Read more »
This show is OK although somewhat unrealistic. Dana Delany always looks immaculate when she visits and investigates a crime scene; never gettting dirty nor a hair out of place. In addition she seems to barge into police interrogations with alarming frequency which I am sure would not happen in real life. I know….. its a drama and you have to suspend your belief somewhat but little things like this stretch credulity.
I have always liked Dana Delany and Jeri Ryan though so its pleasing to seem them on screen. However If this got cancelled I would be surprised.
Listen up ABC !! Body of Proof is the only show that I watch on your network !!! Cancel this one and I will act just like you don’t exist !! The show isinteresting and the acting is superb … don’t blow the only thing that ABC has going for it !!!
I like the show and I record all my 10 pm shows but, unlike some that I record and then never watch, I do watch Body of Proof within a day or two.
I really love this show. Why are shows like this, “on the bubble”
and over hyped, poorly produced “reality” shows get all the attention?
If they cancel “Body of Proof”, I would leave the major
networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) for good. The trend in programming
is really disgusting.
I agree with Craig, I don’t enjoy the Megan Hunt character – enough to have stopped watching.
I love this show!
Hate all these reality” head game” shows.
Like everything else, execs listen to the bean counters.
How many of them watch the shows they are paying for?
Maybe they’re no cerebrial enough for them?
The only problem I have with the show is that (Just like last season) they play all the damn episodes out of order…
Now I haven’t seen this show but I hear it’s good. You don’t have to cancel everything just because the ratings dip a little. Think about your viewers.
I am undecided. I seem to watch each episode, but I don’t enjoy them, or I should say that I don’t enjoy the Megan Hunt character. I love the others in the coroner’s office, I enjoy the crime plots, and I like the detectives. Unfortunately, in the mix with all these things I like is Megan Hunt, and I like her about as much as her ex-husband.
This is a great show! Give it a chance.
Stick with it! I love this show!
I absolutely love this show, but it’s on too late for me. I have to be up at 5:30 in the morning and Body of Proof doesn’t come on till 10 PM. I’m not a young as I used to be so if this was on in the 8 or 9 pm time slot I’d never miss it.
Jen.
you could a. dvr it. b. look online at your cable providers website. I have comcast xfinity and they have online programming. I rarely turn on the tv…hoping someday they do neilson rating for online content.
I like the bald guy ..
This show is truly entertaining, and definately needs to stay on the air. That is unless they want to add yet another hour of network television that nobody will be watching. Especially if they think they can do better by replacing it with more reality programing. Just not worth getting invested in shows any more when such wonderful programs like this get axed and they leave shows like Dancing with the Stars or Amazing Race on the air. Just shows where our society is headed. With any luck this show will prove to be the hold out that gets to… Read more »