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?
There is absolutely no way they can cancel this show. I just tuned into BOSS this past summer, watched the whole first season on demand and caught up all the way to the end of the second season. This show is theee best. THE BEST…I have never seen anything like it..It is ingenious, and the characters are amazing…Must come back for a third season.
Best miniseries on TV. Kelsey at his very best! Although I watch other Starz shows like Magic City , Spartacus, and Camelot (while it was on), I’m not sure that I will continue with Starz if Boss goes. Perhaps more marketing in theaters (that’s how I got exposed and joined Starz) and exploiting the awards and nominations might increase viewers.
This show is fantastic. All the story lines hold you to the television screen and you can’t wait to see the next episode; I’m ready right now. It would be a shame to cancel this show. If it is going to be cancelled, at least have the decency to have either a final season wrap-up or a 90 minute movie to completely tie up the loose ends. Don’t just let this show drop like other networks drop shows (like CSI: Miami, for example). We need to know how these characters lives end up, especially Kane.
I sure hope they don’t cancel it. Been a fan since the first episode and have been hooked ever since. We canceled our Starz channel after the first season was over and got it back just so I could watch the second season. I hope it doesn’t cancel, but if it does, I guess it’s like the theme song says, “Satan, your kingdom must come down.” Lol!
Starz you would be foolish to cancel this show! It holds you in your seat. Last show was awesome……..Kelsey in complete control of his wife’s life…..did not know if he would let her live or die……What a cast, what a story line…..give up on Spartagus…..Roman times over the blood, sex and violence. Boss a true storyline. Something to sink your teeth into. Kelsey is excellent in his role………you believe in him, you hate him, you pity him. He plays the role like it is his real life. AWESOME SHOW GIVE IT TWO MORE SEASONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Listen to the fans!
Just watched the 2 seasons in 2 weeks on-demand, and I was hooked! Hope they continue with another season.
I watched this show on demand religiously. I never watch TV friday nights. Couldnt have picked a worse slot. Spartacus would do well in any slot because of the violence and nudity. If the networks dont properly get behind their best and most sophisticated programming they have no one to blame but themselves. People will watch what you tell them, but you cant make them stay in on Fridays.
Season 2 ended but there is no closure.
I TOTALLY AGREE
I live for this show. It has all the elements of a riveting hour of tv. It keeps me on the edge of my seat and I always watch each episode at least twice. It’s real easy to miss something. Richard Roeper and Oprah love the show, as well as my family and myself, if that helps Starz to make a decision for a third season.
OMG, I will cancel STARZ if they don’t renew it. It’s the only reason I subscribe to that channel. I understand the numbers and at least they do give a beg,mid, and end so your not left in the dark like HBO shows. I personally hate Spartacus, 3.1 million viewers! Shows you where the country has it’s priorities. They care more about American Idol or Vampires than they do the on political system. So, it doesn’t surprise me that they wouldn’t like a Political drama unless you like Politics. Sad news if it goes away. I loved it. I honestly… Read more »
Fantastic show, I have never seen a show about politics this good. It is more than a thousand times better than the “west wing”. I am pleading all the way from Sweden that it gets renewed.
There is no better show on TV than “Boss”. Maybe it has low ratings because I haven’t seen any advertisements for it on the main networks this season like I did last. I’ve told everyone who will listen wat a fabulous show this is. EVERTYTHING about it is excellent – acting, storyline, production – EVERYTHING!! Can’t tell you how much we look forward to Friday night! This show MUST go on!
I love this show and hope it’s renewed for season 3! It’s well acted with great characters and plot lines. There aren’t many dramas on network or cable. Please keep Boss on the air!
Love the show. Hope that it’s extended.
Boss may not be the best show currently on TV…..but it’s certainly in the top 3 or 4.
It’s a rare breath of intelligent, well-scripted, well-acted drama in a medium dominated
by worthless reality-based shows filled with ignorant people doing stupid things.
Spartacus is okay but it draws four times more viewers than Boss??? Never underestimate the poor taste of most Americans.
Boss is the best show on TV. Please don’t cancel it. I bought Starz last month specifically to be able to watch it.