Unfortunately, Detroit 1-8-7 been struggling almost from the beginning. ABC’s freshman police drama debuted with a mediocre 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 9.34 million viewers. Things quickly went down hill from there. The last original episode mustered just a terrible 1.0 rating and 5.05 million. Now it’s the lowest-rated scripted show on the network.
Despite those dismal numbers, at the recent TCA press tour, ABC chief Paul Lee was still pretty optimistic. He said, “We haven’t made our decisions yet on second season. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have liked it to have stayed with high numbers, because it’s an extremely high-quality show… It’s a really gritty, brilliantly written show which we’re very proud of. So do we hope it comes back. We’re not going to make those decisions probably for another two to three months, I have to say.”
Regarding the chances for a second season of Detroit 1-8-7, star Michael Imperioli is a little less optimistic. He said, “You know, we’ll see. I’m not overly confident about it. I think the show’s good enough. There are a lot of stories to tell. I think it will only get better in the future, but that has to do with a lot of factors that are out of my control.”
He continued, “I’ve been disappointed that it hasn’t done as well in the numbers… I don’t think that a lot of people really know that we’re on the air. I think that the people who do know really like it. We do have a lot of loyal fans. Primarily, it’s in the demographic — 18 to 49, whatever. I don’t know how that works that we’re not doing as good. We had some good overall numbers for a while, but you know, these things are hard to predict.”
Looking at it philosophically, Imperioli added, “[The ratings are] out of our hands. We’re doing the best we can do. The work has been really good. So I’m not complaining.”
What do you think? Will Detroit 1-8-7 be renewed? Should ABC give it a second season and a second chance, even though the ratings are poor?
Image courtesy ABC.
I am so SICK of this “18-49” Demographic!. SICK OF IT! Networks, this is 2011. Do you know, or care that a lot more people watch shows than are counted by the stupid neilsen boxes? Oh wait, you probably don’t even count those now, not many of those viewers are 18-48, now, are they? Did you know that that show you think has “2.0 millions viewers’ actually probably has maybe 4 times that many, due to DVRS, Hulu, On Demand, etc? My cable company has something called “Primetime On Demand,” wherein, a day or two after a network show airs,… Read more »
I love this show. There are so few good stories on TV. I would hate to lose this one. I wish it could be on earlier.
This show is fantastic. I really hope it ends up getting a chance for a 2nd season.
I like the show and it should be renewed for a second season, the characters are quirky and it reminds me a lot of NYPD Blue and also Homicide on the streets,,
OMG! Can’t believe they would consider dumping this show! Love it! So excited at the end of tonight’s episode there were previews for next week …… the show is great ….. keep them coming. So many interesting characters! YEAH! looking forward to next week’s episode.
I really really like this show and would hate to see it canceled. The characters are well-defined, quirky, and likable; especially Michael Imperioli as the brilliant but curmudgeonly Fitch-“fascinatingly odd”. The actors playing the roles do a great job and the show feels real…the storylines are plausible and interesting. Quality acting, quality writing, but low ratings…which explains the deplorable state of network TV today. It would be a pity and a shame if this worthwhile show was canceled; not to mention the loss of revenue to the beleaguered City of Detroit. But wait! There’ll be room for another dumb-ass, trailer-trash,… Read more »
Love this show, great writing and even better acting. Jeez, leave one decent show on the air.
This show rocks- its got great writing!!!!! ABC would suck if they cancelled it- why keep crappy shows like the bachelor but cancel DETROIT 187?!!!! It would probaly do better in a different time slot/day- DONT CANCEL DETROIT 187!!!!!
Tough, gritty show with some really GOOD acting. Good scripts with good plots. So much CRAP that is on that has been renewed, I would be greatly disappointed if this was taken off the air. One of the FEW network shows I watch!
I’m hoping for a second season. One of the few programs I bother to watch anymore. Good stories, plus great cast. ABC needs to give it a chance.
Good point, Jeff D. It has got to be tough to drag viewers away from CBS and over to ABC with the strong CBS Tuesday night schedule. With No Ordinary Family and V as lead-ins, it is even less surprising that Detroit 1-8-7 has a hard time getting viewers. It is so rare for ABC to have a quality program that I hope they don’t get rid of it.
The show had a rough start. I knew many people who watched the first couple of the episode’s and didn’t care for the filming technique so didn’t watch the rest of the series. I think the series has gotten better with every episode, and I would be very disappointed if it is cancelled. Possibly a different time slot or a different marketing campaign.
Give this show a second chance, I like it!
I think it’s a good show, but suffers in a tough time slot – it’s up against The Good Wife, which keeps its audience who watch the two NCIS shows.
I always record it On Demand on Wednesdays.
I think if they renewed V, they’ll renew this. This is a much better show and has very good storylines. It’s an excellent show and deserves another chance. Put it on another night. Please ABC give it another chance.