As Tom Kane continues to try to keep a grip on his city and life, the Boss TV series struggles to attract an audience. Will Boss be cancelled or renewed for a third season of Starz? That’s an even bigger challenge thank Kane’s.
Airing on Friday nights, Boss revolves around the Mayor of Chicago (Kelsey Grammer) who’s recently been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. Determined to remain in charge, he conceals the disease from everyone around him except his physician. The Starz TV show also features the talents of Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner, Kathleen Robertson, Troy Garity, Rotimi, Jonathan Groff, and Sanaa Lathan.
It’s no secret that the TV series struggled in its first season. Despite sporting some top talent, the viewers and ratings just weren’t there. Luckily for the cast and crew, the show was renewed for a second season weeks before the show even premiered. Had the cable channel waited to see how well Boss would perform before making a decision, it’s hard to believe we’d be seeing a second season now.
Last month, at The Television Critics Association press tour, Boss showrunner Farhad Safinia said, “I am completely aware of what the numbers are, and I’m heartbroken… It’s one of those things where you’d like more people to see what you’re doing… I do hope the audience comes to see it so we can tell the entire story. I think we just have to work on that assumption that we will get to do it.”
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The ratings were so low for the first season of Boss that they’re often very difficult to locate. We do know that Boss premiered last October to 659,000 viewers and by the middle of the run had fallen to 250,000.
Season two certainly hasn’t been bringing any better ratings. The August 24th installment drew just 229,000 viewers and the season has averaged only 310,000. Earlier this year, the second season of Spartacus averaged 1.35 million on Friday nights in the same timelot.
It seems highly unlikely that Starz will be bringing back Boss for a third season. These numbers are just incredibly small for an expensive scripted drama.
On the positive side, Safinia has indicated that they plot each season like a movie so that each has a beginning, middle, and end. While it’s very likely that Boss will be cancelled, at least the show’s loyal viewers will be given at least some kind of resolution by the end of the season. Season two wraps on October 19th.
What do you think? Do you like the Boss TV series? Why do you think it hasn’t caught on with a bigger audience? Should it be renewed for a third season or cancelled?
Its an exciting show! Starz has shot its own self in the foot by lack of promotion for its network. Boss has an amazing array of talent which is, unfortunately, under appreciated. Please do not cancel this adult series which may not be for your “ideal demographics” because you have to think and use life experience to appreciate the show.
It’s a great show. Hoping for season 3.
Please do not cancel this incredible show. It is drama, funny, sad, true, extreme, and keeps me on the edge of my seat. If Starz would promote the show you would have viewers. I didn’t even know the show’s season premier was moved, I had to goole it! I agree, put it on a different network and it will survive, like A&E.
Excellent show for sure. I love it. It’s also worth noting that the average populous doesn’t possess the IQ to appreciate a show like Boss. Political dramas are a hard sell compared to a blood fest like Spartacus, which caters to the masses.
This is a GOOD show, suffering from under-promotion. I believe it’d attract and keep more viewers if Starz would hype it more.
I didn’t even know this show existed.
Letter to Starz:
Please renew Boss… Please, please, please! This scripted drama is a tour-de-fource by Kelsey Grammer. The amazing storyline of a big city mayor is relevant and engaging. Kudos to the writing staff. Low ratings, here’s a tip, more advertising! Promote the hell out of this show. It deserves a bigger audience and another season!
My husband and I can’t wait til Friday evenings to watch Boss. Kelsey Grammer is at his best playing Tom Kane. I agree, if this was on HBO it would have had more of an audience. I have told several people about this series and they have come to enjoy each week. I will be disapointed if it is not picked up as it is a very compelling storyline and draws you in.
I really hope there is a season 3. I find this series fascinating
I am absolutely obsessed with Boss….it is the best series on TV. If I didn’t already have Starz, I would order it for Boss. The cast is fantastic and the each episode leaves me captivated and wanting more.
I really hope it is not cancelled!
I don’t think it will be cancelled. The 3rd episode has risen above its season 2 opener, not to mention you guys arent taking into account the encores and stuff, which often put Boss over the 1 million marker.
And besides, Boss is STARZ’s ONLY critically acclaimed series. I see it getting 2 more seasons at this speed.
Seriously, what is the long running show on Starz? I mean really, Party down: 2 seasons, Gravity: 1 season, Head Case: 3 seasons, we never heard anything about Torchwood miracle day, so seriously, what’s the long running show on Starz? Nothing seems to last on Starz.
Completely agree with the comment above. “Boss” is a great and very compelling show and would get the audience it deserves if more accessible. The talent of the cast alone is on par with today’s other pay-cable dramas (surpassing several, in my opinion). Just like “The Wire” before it, this show’s recognition might come after its end, sadly.
How large of an audience have other Starz shows brought in? Is Boss a dud or is this typical for the station?
Craig » The most recent season of Spartacus averaged 1.35 million for its Friday at 10pm showings. Others might find that interesting so I’ll add it to the post.
Wow! Boss is a huge dud when compared to Spartacus. Thanks for the information.
Unfortunately for the show it’s on the wrong network. I don’t know of many people who want to spend money on yet another pay cable channel like Starz just to watch one or two shows. If it was on HBO or even Showtime, it might have had a better chance of getting an audience to check it out.
agree completely, i might have watched it if it was on one of those networks