Christian Slater just can’t catch a break when it comes to television. My Own Worst Enemy was cancelled by NBC in 2009 and ABC’s the forgotten was canned in 2010. Now, FOX has cancelled his new sitcom, Breaking In, after one short season.
Breaking In follows a team of misfits who run a high-tech security operation and take extreme (often questionable) measures to sell their services. The comedy stars Slater, Bret Harrison, Odette Yustman, Trevor Moore, and Alphonso McAuley.
The sitcom debuted on April 6th to a healthy 3.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 9.82 million viewers. Those look like solid numbers when viewed alone but are far less impressive when you consider that the series lost more than 50% of the lead-in audience from American Idol.
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In week two, Breaking In lost 26% of its premiere audience, scoring a 2.6 rating and 7.79 million total viewers. Weeks three and four dropped as well. Last Wednesday’s episode scored a 2.4 in the demo and 7.07 million. That represents a retention of only 36% from the American Idol lead-in.
Despite the fact that Breaking In has a better average than already-renewed Raising Hope and Bob’s Burgers, FOX has decided to cancel the TV series after one season and seven episodes. It would seem that, despite what some may believe, lead-in retention does matter.
The remaining two episodes of Breaking In will air tonight and next Wednesday, May 18th. Hopefully Slater will have better luck next time — perhaps on a CBS series?
What do you think? Are you sorry that there won’t be a second season of Breaking In? Why do you think the TV series didn’t catch on?
Image courtesy FOX.
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One of my favorite shows – unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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“Breaking In” wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. I do think it had potential if it had been given time to grow. Putting the show on after “American Idol” was what did it in. Its content was not age appropriate next to “American Idol”. If only “Breaking In” was on a little later at night or perhaps aired on another night so as to stay clear of A.I.’s pallette, I think it would’ve succeeded. Better luck next time.