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’m surprised. I think the show us a perfect combination of Science Fiction, satire, comedy and horror. I never miss an episode. The love making scene betweeb the “king” and the “queen” was hysterical. The satire is probably over the head of some people. I hope another channel like SyFy picks it up. I have recomended it to my friends. It should have been debuded midseason.
I love this show and I agree the time is wrong On Sunday night people are getting ready for the new week. PLEASE renew this SHOW!
We absolutely LOVE this show!!! Hoping for another season definitely!
I remember a time when shows that did not initially do well in the ratings, Season 1 of Seinfeld, were allowed to develop and grow. Now if you’re not an instant hit your toast. But that’s what happens when you have businessmen making decisions about art!!! Brain Dead is one of the most original shows on TV. CBS has a huge pile of rotting shows that are still on the air, Steven Colbert, but they’re going to pull BD?!?!? You see it’s a self fulfilling failure cycle. You axe shows cause they don’t preform well at first, people are getting… Read more »
M*A*S*H was #46 during its first year and only once out of the top 10 after that. Stock holders don’t allow such long-term thinking these days.
Also, programming with the assumption of an intelligent audience is hazardous.
The best show I’ve seen in ages!! The only reason why the ratings are dropping is because they air the show at 10pm on a sunday night.
I haven’t spontaneously laughed as much watching any other show than I have BrainDead. It is packed with moments that are just brilliant, such as for example (without spoiling) the involuntary hands, the M.M. cameo and the “Trump kicker”. For what it intends to do it does with excellence, and I really hope it gets a second season.
This is a very well written, hysterical show! The acting is superb! The best new show of the season! If people don’t like it, they just don’t understand it. My husband and I don’t normally like the same shows, but we love this and look forward to it every week. I hope the powers that be keep this show on for another season. With all the garbage on TV right now, it’s good to have a good laugh with a well written show that you look forward to seeing every week.
Probably the best show on tv. Please don’t cancel. Can’t wait for another season. Great cast, writers. Makes you laugh, shake your head and realize that sadly but truly this is so accurate to what is happening in today’s politics.
Thank you, Robert and Michelle King, for a well written, well acted, entertaining tongue-in-cheek series. Too bad the general audience would rather kill their own brains watching “reality” (really??) television. Whatever. Please renew, CBS.
We love brain dead. It is smart and funny and great satire plus a great cast! What is the matter with people not watching or not getting it???????pleasebolease keep this show in for another season!!
I vote bring back BrainDead! I am so into this parody of Washington politicians, and the acting is superb. It’s summer, so give it a chance in the fall.
I love this show. Excellent writing. I want to watch the next episode right after the one ends for that week. I would be sad to see it cancelled. It makes me laugh out loud.
A very cleaver well written political satire. I love the show, would be very disappointed if it was cancelled, I would like to think that the BrainDead Republicans don’t have the power to cancel it…
I love this show. It’s smart, funny and the cast is incredible….not brain deadening like most current tv. I’m all for a renewal!
This was a delightful summer find!! Loved the recaps, the acting and storyline. Thank you!
It’s a hilarious parody of DC. Renew!