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.
My husband and I watch it every week—–we love the characters and everything about it!!!!!! Please, second season is a MUST! Try it at a different time/day.
I tape tape show-so I can watch later-
I think Detroit 187 is an excellent show! My family watches it every week. The acting is terrific, the story lines are interesting. PLEASE give this show another chance!!! Maybe it would do better on another night.
Love the show, ABC PLEASE KEEP IT GOING……….
GREAT STORYLINES AND CAST
MICHAEL, YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST!!
Please keep this show on the air. Since the cancellation of “Law & Order” and “Numbers”, this show has the great story lines and great acting like those shows did.
Dont cancel this show, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! come on. have a heart ABC. Fitch is just getting started…..so fresh n smart.love that guy.do what you have to do……just keep it coming.thxs
The writing, editing and acting should not change. I love the story lines and the plots. I think the directors could take some tips from the Miami cop shows and show a little more of the grandeur of Detroit and not so much of the grittiness of Detroit. Every major city has grittines, but how many major cities can boast of great sports facilities, a huge hydroplane boat race and a resurgeance of community pride that Detroit has. ABC needs to look at other factors to increase viewership like the broadcast time slots and what shows or events that 1-8-7… Read more »
My family and I REALLY enjoy Detroit 187. We are Detroiters and it is great to watch a TV program about our city which represents Detroit well. The actors are great and so are the story lines. This program has helped in revitalizing our city. PLEASE give it a chance!
Please keep 1-8-7 on the air. Give it a chance it reminds me of the show Hill Street Bles. I am tired of reality shows and this one shows promise if it is given a chance.
My husband and I really enjoy Detroit 1-8-7. We live in Canada and are able to see it on our satelite carrier. Please give it a chance – many people we talk to in the US did not even know it was on. It is well liked by the people who have seen it. Nice to have a change from Law and Order or CSI. Maybe you should take your ratings from colder climate areas.
This is a great show with great actors, character portrayals, and story lines. It is a show our family looks forward to watching every week – to hell with “ratings numbers,” let ABC’s viewers get to watch what they enjoy for a change, not just what “sells”. This show deserves to be given adequate chance to show more viewers what we already know – it’s a “don’t miss” show!!
This is a very well written show as well as great actors to bring the stories to life. I’ve really pushed for this show to make it (told everyone to watch!!!). The great city of Detroit needs this and deserves to be acknowledged!!! Please keep on the air!
I think the show is great, actors all do a great job story lines are believable, people get tire of all the garbage out there, give the show a chance.
Change the night on Det 187! Move it to Thursdays and grit it up a bit more. I think the themes could be a little bit darker and the humor darker as well. Never EVER get rid of Fitch phoning in his feelings!!! TOOO FUNNY! TOOO GREAT! Keep Fitch mysterious. Change the night to Thursday and I think you’ll have a home run! FOR THE LOVE OF DETROIT AND THE EXPOSURE YOU ARE GIVING THAT GOOD CITY, PLEASE KEEP THIS WELL WRITTEN SHOW ON THE AIR! You are doing such good for the city, even if it is a murder… Read more »
Detroit is a sh*thole. Cancel the show.
Always seems the same thing to me, too ready to cancel before the rateings pick up. Please don’ cancel this one. This is the best show since boston legal, best writing and story lines,best character building, keep you comming back to see what happens in their lives.Frist show to really grab my interest in a long while. reality sucks big time in my books, if I want to watch idiots, I can watch my family. Who even things up reality shows, so dumb. I want actor and actosr that have good writing, and this show has it all. Keep them… Read more »