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?
Image courtesy ABC.
I typically don’t like blood, guts, or anything gory, and I’ve never really watched medical type shows. I saw an episode of this and I loved it. I’m a teenager and every week, my family and I look forward to another episode. I’d be really disappointed if it was cancelled without being given a good, fair chance.
I just recently came across this show using Roku. I really like the show and its cast. I was very surprised about the lower ratings. I am really looking forward to the show and hope abc does the only smart thing to produce a third season. Not everyone watches it on cable or satellite. 🙂
Please keep Body of Proof. I just got into Parenthood, which is quite popular wit my demographic (30 something mom) and opposite Body of Proof, but I watch that online and watch Body of Proof. It’s a great show that you can watch episodically, and it has a lot of drama. Maybe a bit gory for some (like my husband who doesn’t like blood), but it’s a very smart show that holds your interest. Please don’t cancel without at least trying a new time slot. I feel that ABC doesn’t market Body of Proof as well as they did in… Read more »
I love the show. Everytime I get into a show it gets cancelled. I love Harry’s Law! Maybe I’m the jinx! Lol! Not! ABC, please b patient.
A phenomenal show. We actually look forward to it each week. Dana Delaney is really good and has done a great job at developing her character. hopefully ABC will renew it for a third season. It’s the only show we watch on ABC.
And PS – I agree with Tim about needing time to get its roots established – just like Harry’s Law did.
I just watched two episodes on On Demand, and I like the show. If I’m looking for realism, two gorgeous women dressed to the nines in the morgue is not it, but I do like Dana Delaney and Jeri Ryan very much and I think the story lines are good. Problem for me is that it’s opposite NBC’s Parenthood, which gets my original view on Tuesday at 10.
My family and I LOVE Body of Proof. Dana Dalany is FANTASTIC and the show is one of the more well written shows on any network. PLEASE keep this Intelligent program on the air. Thank you, Brett from Fort Myers FL.
I like the show. I think it is like an updated version of Quincy, a show that I also liked. I just wish they would spend less time on her dysfunctional personal life and more time on the case and her interaction with colleagues.
I really like the show, one of the few network shows I watch. I agree the woman playing her
mother is a little young but I think Dana who is in her mid 50’s is supposed to be playing someone maybe in her early 40’s.
One of my favs on Tues night. Not sure why the ratings are low nothing else on
The show is okay at best. It’s hard to believe that a M.E. would be so involved with the police. Also, the woman that plays Megan Hunts mother is only 12 years older than Dana Delaney. Very poor casting.
I just recently recently started watching Body of Proof,and its one of my favorites!! The only thing that I think is hurting it is CBS’s new show Unforgettable is onat the same time time. I don’t think cancelling the show right off would be the answer, maybe try putting it in a new time slot where there’s not big competition first? I think its a really great show,almost along the lines of Bones with Emily Deshanel and David Boreanaz, but with different characters. I like it a lot !!
I’m in favor of keeping it. Although I don’t watch TV, I just bought season 1 on DVD after renting and watching the first five episodes. I love Dana Delany and I’m happy with her character. Shows like this only fail when networks don’t give them an opportunity to grow roots and get established.
It is the only ABC show I watch, so if there was more of this quality, perhaps I would watch more of ABC.