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).
Loading ...
|
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?
Image courtesy ABC.
Cancel it. It’s encouraging negative stereotypes, specifically that every cop can be Horatio Caine and people will still take them seriously.
um wrong show! Oration is on CSI:Miami, not Body of Proof
keep it, the show make you think which is missing in most of the shows on the boob tube
these days.
I STILL don’t understand how NINE MILLION VIEWERS is a “bad rating.” What do they want, 30? They DO know, that not everyone is watching shows when they are aired, these days right? It’s 2011, not 1970? Idiot networks.
Bruce » It’s not the total number of viewers that matter most, it’s the demo ratings that advertisers want.
Please don’t even think of cancelling Body of Proof its one of the best shows on TV and has so much to offer with legs still to run , we havent seen half of the back stories with the cast and the out come as to what happen to them .
I LOVE THIS SHOW DON,T TAKE IT OFF WHY DO THEY TAKE OFF GOOD SHOW AND LEAVE ON STUIP SHOW LIKE DANCE WITH THE STAR OR SUVIOR
Love this show!
I think its ***king stupid to cancel a show that averages 9million viewers a night.. Stop making a so called rating matter so much. If its averaging that many people they obviously keep coming back for a reason..
This should be renewed. Unfortunately programs that challenge the viewer a bit are subordinated to those shows which just throw mindless matter at the viewing public. Even more unfortunate is the fact that it appears as though a majority of the viewing public like the latter type programing. This is also emblematic of the thinking (or lack of) throughout our country on a daily basis.
Like the show, characters, actors, etc.
Canceling the show would be very disappointing.
JD
If they keep this show, I hope that the Megan Hunt character gets to grow into a more likable person, rather than completely revamping the show. Revamps seem to be all the rage just as much as canceling good shows in lieu of reality programs. The general concensus seems to be that the show is wonderful, but the one character is an issue. Just let her learn a lesson or two and become more likable, not a total overhaul. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it, renew it!
Yes, renew. It’s pretty good; especially considering the other crap on tv. There’s room for improvement but it’s entertaining and has a lot of potential.
RENEW IT!!!!!
The show is just starting to catch its stride and Dana Delany is hot!
renew it
Please don’t cancel Body of Proof. It’s a very good show and even though she’s a bit abrasive, it’s very good.