Created by Robert and Michelle King, The Good Wife ran for seven seasons on CBS. The series was never a hit in the ratings but it was a source of pride for the network and kept being renewed. How has the Kings’ new summer series, BrainDead, been performing? Should it be cancelled or renewed for a second season?
On BrainDead, Laurel Healy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has returned home to Washington, DC to work for her brother, Senator Luke Healy (Danny Pino) on Capitol Hill. She is caught in the midst of two huge problems: the government has stopped working due to budgetary disagreements, and mysterious bugs are eating the brains of a growing number of members of Congress and Hill staffers. The rest of the cast includes Aaron Tveit, Tony Shalhoub, Nikki M. James, Johnny Ray Gill, Charlie Semine, and Jan Maxwell.
Debuting in June, the first episode of BrainDead drew a 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.59 million viewers. It was an unimpressive start to be sure and the numbers have fallen much lower as the weeks have progressed. The seventh episode’s ratings represented a new low, drawing a 0.3 demo rating with 1.75 million viewers.
Despite the talent behind the program, it is highly unlikely that CBS will want to invest in a second season of BrainDead. Hopefully the last installments will provide enough closure to satisfy the show’s audience. Episode 11 is scheduled for next week and the last two of the season are set for September 11th.
But, what do you think? Do you like the BrainDead TV show? Should it be cancelled? Would you watch a second season?
10/18 update: CBS has cancelled BrainDead after one season. Details here.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SHOW. PLease don’t cancel it. It makes me laugh out loud so often!
Loved the show and really hoped it would be renewed. BUT shows are renewed based on number of people watching the show … and CBS made sure that those numbers (of TV viewers) would be lower by signing the show over to Amazon and allowing constant viewing, sometimes 4 episodes at a time on line. It’s a shame, because it was a thought provoking show, really, along with being a great mix of fun grossness and science fiction entertainment. And the cast was amazing!
I was a late comer to BrainDead, but am an avid fan of the series. I have asked everyone I know to please give it a go… I haven’t been this enthralled in a long time. Not happy with the final episode and was hoping for more (at least a Season 2). It is a wonderful political satire without leaning to far in either direction (in my opinion). It is a thoughtful and funny series with some very serious issues that need airing. I agree with the commenter who said it would be canceled since it is so good and… Read more »
Please bring back Braindead. Best I’ve seen in a long time.
Renew it!
renew it!
RENEWED
Fantastic show…almost believe that this may be the problem in Washington? keep it going
I love Braindead…very clever political satire, plus sci-fi spin. The cast is terrrific, and I never miss an episode.
great show! great writing and acting! hope it comes back.
Of course this will get canceled because it’s well written, entertaining, inventive, smart and everything broadcast TV is not. We loved this show. Always watched it on demand.
Best most intelligent comedy in years. Funny, creative, excellent cast, excellent writers. PLEASE don’t cancell. We love this show. Our friends are watching and love it as well.
My boyfriend and I love Braindead! We love all the characters, especially the delightful Mary Elizabeth Winstead, the rapport among them, and the story line. Coming back late in the evening the other night from a three-week tour in another country and having missed three episodes of Braindead, I could hardly wait to binge-watch for more than three hours until the finale. We could not get enough of it!! Please, please, let there be a Season II.
I finally watched the last 2 episodes. I have LOVED LOVED LOVED this show all season. I know the ending is satisfying if not renewed but it’s absolutely brilliant!!!! People just don’t comprehend GOOD TV anymore. I would say one of THE best shows I have watched in ages. Totally different from Good Wife which was outstanding. Brilliant is differently what i call it. It does NOT get any better!!!!
Definitely renew! Brilliantly interweves the current election. Funny, smartly written and performed. TV doesn’t get any better