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?
This show is one of the best film productions ever made; it’s even better than movies which I loved so much. I can’t believe people like the shows and movies they do that are so untalented and lame and unrealistic so much yet fail to appreciate such amazing works such as this. I would personally pay for a third season myself just to see it if I could afford it. What a shame. Also, I believe the comment up above by Whyom_Mayor was absolutely correct; that people can’t handle the truth about the corruption in our government. Let alone the… Read more »
Advertize , Advertize, Advertize………………..great show but it is not being marketed the
way it should. One of the best shows on TV, lets hope they give it one more try.
Please, Please, Please, bring it back for a 3rd season. It’s reality of what is actually going on in our city, and the public should be aware of this. I think more advertising will bring in more viewers.
I certainly wish that I had been broached early on by the tv measuring media team to be used to critique the show…absolutely superb in every sense….have been an ardent fan and viewer since initial segment…very creative…artistic….excellent acting by all….compelling and engaging….edge of the seat viewing…regrettably this is cable and not all tv viewers subscribe to cable and particularly this package….the show should have been really promoted vigorously in the print media and on network tv….if you do not subscribe to the cable package that telecasts the show…no one knows it even exists…..certainly hope they renew it for another season… Read more »
Great show! Great acting! Very intense. Maybe not enough folks know about it.
I want more Boss!!!!!!!!!
This is one of the best shows on TV. I can not believe people that have loved programs in the past where the characters in the story line craved power would not be tuned in.
I love this show. I know the numbers are bad, but it is riveting TV. Please renew.
My favorite show — best on TV! Renew it for 2 more seasons and let it end properly!
One of the best shows ever. Sad that great shows sometimes just dont catch on when a lot of absolute crap does….
Love it, can’t believe it won’t be back.
First, I’d like to see Boss continue into a third season. However, a lot of people are put-off by crooked, or indifferent, politicians and, perhaps, this show is just a little too close to reality for some people’s tastes. “The Untouchables,” a TV series airing during the 1960s, depicted a Chicago of 30 years earlier. All the 1930s gangland notables of Chicago were on display. But 30-year separation may have allowed the viewers to think that, perhaps, the Chicago of 1962 had changed for the better. Mayor Kane doesn’t allow the viewer that comfort. He is, very much, 2012 complete… Read more »
I think it is a terrific series ; thoughtful, intense with
Great characters . Having grown up during the
Daley years , it does hit home . Don’t cacel
Great show. Always been a Kelsey fan. I have no idea why it’s not caught on . The first season was so short. Could be an issue. Sad if it doesn’t continue!
I never miss an episode of Boss! In fact, I watch it several times, I love it so much! I for one, will be extremely disappointed if it doesn’t come back.
The writing and acting is phenomenal, and of course, I am from Chicago.
I hope superb quality television remains such as this instead of the junk that stays on.
i honestly don’t understand why this isn’t being watched by people…incredible performance by Kelsey and Connie, amazing cinematography and direction…I only found out about the show by accident and got immediately hooked. The problem seems to be a lack of promotion…simply never heard of it….desperately hope it gets renewed