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 the show and would like to see it renewed.
If CBS is dumb enough to cancel such a clever show, which works on EVERY level, then hopefully another channel like The Sci Fi Channel or maybe Netflix will pick it up. This show is the best new show I have seen in a VERY LONG time. It is SO WELL written and the actors are GREAT. I have been telling everyone to watch because it is so fresh, and has something for everyone in it!! As far as the “numbers” I haven’t seen a commercial for it since before it started. I TRULY believe that it is one of… Read more »
I love the show, but I am rooting against renewal because I think that this is one of those concepts that is good for a great 13-part series, but doesn’t have the “stretch” to go on after that. I’ve said that I won’t watch a second season. I don’t think that this is the kind of tension that is sustainable for the long term and I’d expect a second season to be disappointing. I wish that producers would recognize that some concepts that would make a fabulous limited series would crash and burn if they attempt to get more from… Read more »
One of the cleverest new shows on TV. You must renew Braindead!! Winstead and Shaloub worthy of Emmys!!!
Please renew for a second season. This show rocks! It’s House of Cards meets The Host and it’s very funny!
I will be so disappointed if this show is cancelled! It’s smart, current and great acting. Give it another season please
We love it. One of our favorite shows!
I like it very much. It requires some intelligent thought, but is funny and ironic. I hope they will renew it.
I would definitely watch a second season. I am 82 and enjoy the satire.
BRING IT BACK! We record it and wouldn’t miss an episode.
Sadly, this is probably yet another intelligent, creative, well-written and acted show that will fall prey to no support from the network. I will miss it terribly. Wish the execs would give an innovative show a chance.
Actually, if falling prey to no support from viewers, for whom it is, probably, too intelligent.
It, also, probably loses viewers among those who think that it is making fun of them or who don’t get the joke and think that it all looks normal.
I LOVE Braindead. I so hope they renew this show. It is my favorite new show.
Brilliant show! One of my faves!!
I love this show! It’s a real summer guilty pleasure. Politics and sci-fi- WHAT could be a better combination? And it sure explains a lot of what is going on in Washington right now. LOL
Love love this show. It’s smart and sadly realistic. I watch it every week with my teenage smart funny grandson.