If you follow the ratings, you know that FX’s Damages is in big trouble. There’s been a lot of talk online that the show might be saved by DirecTV or another buyer. Is that a realistic possibility?
Damages revolves around a tough-as-nails NYC attorney, Patty Hewes (Glenn Close). She takes on tough cases and will do just about anything to make sure her clients come out on top. Prominent castmembers have included Rose Byrne, Tate Donovan, Ted Danson, Zeljko Ivanek, Noah Bean, Anastasia Griffith, and Philip Bosco.
The show’s been running for three seasons on FX and has garnered its share of critical praise. Unfortunately, the ratings have diminished over time. The series premiere drew 3.7 million viewers and FX renewed it for two seasons. They likely regretted that decision since the second season’s debut attracted less than half of the first, with 1.7 million.
Season three kicked off with just 1.5 million and viewership has been much dropping lower. This week’s episode attracted only half as many viewers and that was an increase from last week’s. With numbers like these, it’s no surprise that the show is headed for cancellation.
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However, Sony isn’t ready to give up on the show and is trying to find another outlet to share the costs with USA. One of the possible buyers being courted is DirecTV who, by partnering with NBC, has helped to prolong the life of Friday Night Lights.
At the recent advertiser upfronts, FX wasn’t promoting the show. However, FX President John Laundgraf confirmed that talks were indeed taking place between Sony and DirecTV. He said that, though they’re pleased with the show creatively, the show isn’t cheap. He hopes that the studio succeeds and said, “If Sony can find the right partner, we’ll be happy. There’s no question — we love it. It brings a lot of cache to our network.”
Unfortunately, if you look at the numbers, the deal doesn’t make much sense for DirecTV. Friday Night Lights, which has always been touted as being a fairly economical series to produce, was attracting more than six million viewers on NBC before the DirecTV deal.
Damages is regarded as expensive and attracts much fewer viewers. On top of that, Damages’ numbers are dropping nearly every week. Doesn’t seem like a very promising prospect does it?
What do you think? Is it realistic to expect that Sony and FX will be able to find a way to renew Damages for season four? Should they?
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Image courtesy FX.
I love the show. Think the writing is superb. But really, what the hell happened this season!!! There was no followup to last season. No continuation of where they left off with Patty nearly being killed!!!!!
In addition this season appears to be more of a wrap up then anything else. So, at this point I am not too optimistic about its return. Think this may actually be the final season.
I love this show, and it’s a shame that more people don’t watch it. While I can understand the drop off on the 2nd season, which was not as good as the first season, this season was almost as good as the first. With that said, if the series is over, I can’t really complain. One of the biggest problems with U.S. shows is that they rarely end while they’re still at the top of their game. Damages season (series?) finale is close to perfect. I honestly don’t see how they could continue the series after last nights episode. All… Read more »
I’ve been a Damages addict since it first premiered – and it’s not easy do that living in Ireland! First caught it in a hotel while in the US on business – it was a choice between it and a myriad of reality fodder. I cannot understand for the life of me why a show like this gets poorer ratings than the likes of Jersey Shore, Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity “insert random title here” etc. It’s like the TV stations are deliberately trying to dumb down their audiences so they can in turn dumb down their content. It’s not… Read more »
PLEASE FIND SOME WAY TO GIVE US ANOTHER SEASON!!!! I ALREADY MISS IT, AND I JUST SAW THE SEASON FINALE.
It’s a great show. I am hoping it gets picked up for another season as long as they don’t mess with the writing.
spend more money on advertising. Most people I talk to about it have never heard of it
I RECORDED TONIGHT’S SEASON FINALE, BUT I HAVEN’T WATCHED IT YET. I CAN’T BEAR TO WATCH IT BECAUSE I KNOW IT WILL BE OVER THEN, POSSIBLY FOREVER. PLEASE CAN’T SOMEONE DO SOMETHING TO KEEP (ARGUABLY) THE BEST SERIES THAT HAS BEEN ON TV SINCE THE SOPRANOS?? HEELLPPPP!!!
Damages – one of the best shows on TV….Luv It!!!
Got to keep it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damages is a very excellent show. The cast is amazing and the storylines are intriguing. It will be very disappointing should it not be renewed.
The show isn’t promoted well. If FX wants viewers they might want to get behind their shows a little more. And yes, a fourteen month hiatus is absurd, you expect to keep viewers that way?
Plus the 14 months hiatus (!!!!) between the first season finale and the second season premier didn’t really help, either.
Hello, it should go on, better said: it MUST go on. It is a fantastic good show! Here in the Netherlands we do not have it, so I am watching it in another way.
Fox should also understand that even the ratings went down, there are more people overseas and around the world that watch this show, not only in the USA.
Finally it is a totally different show then the shows that are more for teenagers!
I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope that they can figure something out because DAMAGES is quite simply THE best show on television today, probably one of the best ever. I can understand the network’s frustration because the numbers are bad indeed, but AT LEAST a decent ending a.k.a. 13-episode 4th season should be secured considering the acclaim the show has garnered over the last 3 years. And while unfortunately I can see why DirecTV might not be interested, I still hope it will happen. Also if DirecTV won’t bite – I hope they will – there should be still other options… Read more »
I am so disappointed with Fox for not renewing Damages. What a shame. This third season was at times confusing for those who have not kept up with the show. The shifting back and forth might have been too confusing for some, but I loved it! The acting is suburb. Surely there must be a way to continue this excellent drama. We really need this kind of show. Let’s get rid of some of the “reality shows”!
Donna Russell
Drama director
I love damages and friday night Lights.i just finished watching damages b4 i went online.this is a great show keep it on