ABC has decided to run the season (likely series) finale of Detroit 1-8-7 this Sunday, March 20th, at 10pm. The freshman drama is airing on a special night because it was pre-empted by a 20/20 special featuring an interview with Charlie Sheen a couple weeks ago.
Detroit 1-8-7 is, of course, highly unlikely to return for season two. The TV series’ ratings have been terrible and just about anything else the network has put on in its place has performed better. It’s currently averaging a very disappointing 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.64 million viewers. That makes Detroit 1-8-7 the lowest-rated scripted series still on the network. Tuesday’s installment registered just a 1.2 in the demo.
Here’s the finale description from ABC:
SEASON FINALE
FITCH FACES OFF AGAINST HIS RUTHLESS NEW YORK ADVERSARY, ALBERT STRAM, WHILE HIS LIFE, THAT OF HIS SON AND THE REST OF THE SQUAD HANG IN THE BALANCE, ON THE SEASON FINALE OF ABC’S “DETROIT 1-8-7” Michael Imperioli’s Real Life Son, Vadim, Continues in His Guest Starring Role as Fitch’s Son, Bobby
“Blackout” – Fitch’s past comes back to haunt him when his old New York nemesis, Albert Stram, makes his presence known in Detroit just as the veteran detective is enjoying spending time with his son, Bobby. Stram’s not so subtle threats shake the usually unflappable Fitch. Meanwhile, the other detectives are called to the scene of a horrific homicide to find an entire family brutally murdered. Fitch tries to put the pieces of the puzzle together and it leads him to a devastating conclusion. With his back against the wall, Fitch asks Washington to protect Bobby, then leads Longford and Mahajan on an extremely dangerous mission to trap Stram; but which side of the law will he come down on in order to save his family and those in the squad? Meanwhile, Longford has second thoughts about his retirement; but is it too late? It’s a crucial turning point in the lives of all the detectives, on the Season Finale of “Detroit 1-8-7,” SUNDAY, MARCH 20 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Note: This program replaces “Brothers & Sisters: Call Mom” which moves to March 27.
“Detroit 1-8-7” stars Michael Imperioli as Detective Louis Fitch, James McDaniel as Sergeant Jesse Longford, Aisha Hinds as Lieutenant Maureen Mason, D.J. Cotrona as Detective John Stone, Jon Michael Hill as Detective Damon Washington, Shaun Majumder as Detective Vikram Mahajan, Natalie Martinez as Detective Ariana Sanchez and Erin Cummings as Dr. Abbey Ward.
Guest starring in “Blackout” are Vadim Imperioli as Bobby (“Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom’s For One More Day”), Megan Dodds as Jess Harkins, Tommy Flanagan as Albert Stram, Carl Lumbly as Vincent Lawrence, Tessa Thompson as Lauren Washington, Troy Winbush as Deputy Chief Johnson, Clifford McGhee as Tyrell Hayes and Jason Wells as Wendell/personnel director.
“Blackout” was written by Jason Richman and directed by Kevin Hooks.
“Detroit 1-8-7” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.
This episode of “Detroit 1-8-7” will be available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online. For more information on “Detroit 1-8-7” please visit ABC.com.
What do you think? Why do you think this TV series didn’t catch on? What worked? What didn’t?
Image courtesy ABC.
ABC will cancel it, just like they do every great show. Why keep something so quality, so amazing, when they can just have more “America’s next top dance idol extreme globe trot hippy dogs poop in bags for your entertainment”, is that not what we are all clamoring for? Move Detroit 1-8-7 to FX make it edgier and it will get the ratings it deserves.
I love this show and would be extremely disappointed if ABC cancelled it. The cast is great the story line is intriguing and well developed, it’s been a long time since I found a show that I religiously watch week in week out. ABC would be crazy to let this show go.
We finally get a show as good as NYPD Blue, and it will probably be cancelled. Historically, many of the most successful TV shows, had low ratings during their first year. Detroit 1-8-7 has great characters and exceptional casting. I hope ABC will give it a chance.
Great show! The characters are well developed and story lines are well done. It was up against too much competition and it wasn’t promoted at all. ABC has too many reality shows, they need more good drama and this was it.
It would be a great mistake to cancel this series. Michael Imperioli plays a fantastic part as Fitch just about as good as he did as Christopher on the Sopranos. Big huge mistake to take this off the air.
Surely Sundays’ episode can’t be the last!!! This is such a great show and good acting. The storyline is good and it doesn’t make sense to take it off the air.
Unbelievable, really love the show, this should be ABC’s number one show!
I echo Willie’s opinion. Isn’t everyone getting tired of “reality” tv, and ready for a show with some meaning to it? I hope another network will pick it up!
If I were Detroit 187 honchos and ABC cancelled me, I would go looking at the other networks. This show is really worth keeping and I’m sure if they gave it another chance they wouldn’t regret it. Great acting, great storylines etc and scenes of Detroit give it a real grittiness.
Actually, I think it’s so good that ABC doesn’t deserve it!
Love Detroit 187 –
Acting is Great – Storylines are Super – The Networks are CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!
You asked why this show didn’t catch on…it did and will continue given the chance. It take awhile for viewers to get invested in a show and it seems like the only way anyone would know about 187 is word of mouth. I can’t remember seeing any advertising for it? Why were the actors not on talk shows, no promotion that was the problem. The stories, the actors were/are great and getting better. Really, ABC needs to open their eyes and see what they have and give the show another season. If they invest in it, I am sure they… Read more »
I think that it could flourish on HBO.
I love this show,they should have given it a chance to catch on. It’s real quality.
Detroit 187 is a great show. Unfortunately if it was called New York 187, or Miami 187 it would have done better. I, for one am tired of all the New york, Miami , Los Angels show. The midwest does exist. Its so unfair. Maybe another network will pick it up.
I wish they would have moved this great show and given it a better time slot and more promotion al la Hawaii 5-0. I feel if it was placed better and promoted better it would have been a hit. It’s well written and has great characters. The background of Detroit is a character all on it’s own. I love this show.
People don’t appreciate quality television anymore. they prefer mindless shows where they don’t have to feel involved at all. I think it is a great show and wish it had been given a better time slot.
I am so sad that this will be the last episode. I LOVE this show. I think the ratings are because they are taking the wrong homes opinions.