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.
 Loading ... |
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?
Image courtesy FX.
The times we were able to locate the show, enjoyed it a lot…..always had to hunt for it and weren’t successful very often. We pretty much gave up as it seemed to be on no schedule we could count on.
Damages is one of the best shows on TV. Great plot lines, writing, superb acting by an ensemble cast. Every season I look forward to the many guest stars like this past season Martin Short. The guy is known for comedy and yet Martin played a very flawed attorney to a tee. Patty Hewes is superbly played by Glenn Close. Rose Bryne’s role I aspire to be when I grow up. Instead of studios trying to fight to keep quality shows like Damages on TV, we get junk TV shows like the Housewives of Wherever, Jersey Shore, the Hills, etc.… Read more »
AND IT GOT RENEWED FOR TWO MORE SEASONS !!! YAY !
And just for a good laugh here is a sentence from my comment posted on April 17 !!!
“I’m still daydreaming about an unexpected DirecTV deal and another 2-season-pick-up a’la Friday Night Lights.”
HAH, I guess I should start daydreaming about being Mr. Natalie Portman, too ! It seems to work 🙂 🙂 🙂
My favorite show. Please do NOT cancel it. It is one of the few shows
that do not insult people’s intelligence!
BEST SHOW ON THE AIR! Damages has all the elements of a great show and it delivers! Glenn Close is terrific and the rest of the cast is superb. The story lines are entriging, keeps you guessing from the first episode to the very last. PLEASE DO NOT CANEL THIS SHOW! It would be a very big mistake.
I love this show, it’s one of the best Shows on TV! It has a GREAT cast, a great story line and it keeps you guessing from the very beginning to the very last episode. If FX and Sony don’t find a way to keep this show on the air, they will be losing a real Winner! PLEASE DEEP DAMAGES!
Please Do NOT CANCEL DAMAGES!
I don’t watch much TV, would rather read, but every time I do find a great series it gets cancelled. To be great it has to have excellent writing, fine acting and unpredictable plots, with a compelling storyline I can’t miss. If this show is cancelled I will be extremely disappointed, and judging from online comments, so will many, many other fans.
How could they possibly cancel such a well written drama? Always reminded me of a Shakespearean play, wondering where the next twist and turn will lead me. Couldn’t wait until the next episode to see each layer revealed. Don’t quash this show!
For whatever reason, I just heard today that DAMAGES is cancelled. WHAT?? I LOVE this show & I’ve worked hard to keep up with it. I’m a very busy stay-at-home mom & I only make time for shows that I consider to be of quality. DAMAGES was spectacular. I hope someone somewhere will consider reviving this show. I still want to know more about Ellen’s past, as well as see where Ellen’s relationship of frenemies will go with Patty.
Damages was a thriller and a nice change from other TV shows. It always kept you on the edge of your seat and never guessing what was going to happen next. Please don’t cancel this show!!!!!
Oh, by the way, did I mention the ghosts? How about the dreams? And the flashbacks!
Damages the TV show deserved to die.
Just watched the finale, which was an absymal end to an abymal season. We don’t want to watch lawyers emoting about their children, we want to watch them being lawyers. Trials. Courtroom DRAMA. Not blubbering. We especially don’t want to watch the re-end to season one, which already ended three year ago, with Ted Danson. What the hell were they thinking?
One of the best shows on TV. TV has gotten very boring otherwise and it is necessary
to look further and further to try and find something worthwhile. I usually look at videos or read so I hope this show continues.
I agree with Todd. There are many shows that I watch on a different night or on demand etc.. With Tivo, DVRs, On Demand, the internet, etc., fans have a lot of other options now to watch their favorite shows.