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.
We happened on this show early on. We were blown away with the characters, the acting and the scripts. We are very particular about our television viewing and find very few programs that bring us back each week. I think one problem is the popularity of a competing program in the same time slot. Please try again next year to market this incredible program.
This is a well written and superbly acted TV drama that for some reason can not survive TV. I think quality stories have never had the audience that lesser productions have because the people who would appreciate them don’t generally watch TV and it takes longer to attract them. If it is canceled I will miss it.
This was one of those shows that developed, slowly. The final episode was well crafted and watching it was exciting and a joy. All in the Family had a similar start, and would have been cancelled, if the networks had used today’s standards. Sunday’s episode was so fantastic there should be a reassessment by the suits. Maybe, they can sell it to USA Network? Maybe, we will luck out and some powerful person’s significant other will be a big fan . Maybe, the suits will give it a continuation. This show deserves to continue!
I hope that that don’t cancel this show. There are many ways the series could go, and it isn’t a generic “cop” drama. The ensemble cast has great chemistry, and I really enjoy the story lines.
It is a shame that television has come down to an overdose of idiotic reality tv shows and a lack of shows that challenges your intelligence like a Detroit 187. I’ve already stopped listening to the radio.because of the garbage that’s being put out now it looks like I’ll have to resort to dvd’s and forget about looking forward to good shows. Give it another season. You owe it to the fans.
I love this show. No glitz just good acting, good stories and a gritty look at a dying city. This reminds me of “boomtown”. And “Life”. Why can’t intelligent dramas service? So much of TV is dumb, dumb, dumb!
The dumbing-down of America continues as ABC does their part! Another smart, intelligent show going away……giving way to more reality nonsense!
I look forward to this show every week. It is one of the few I watch. The acting keeps getting better and better every week! Please don’t cancel!
This show is my favorite and I love the cast. Its the best drama on tv in a long time.
I do not watch any of the “reality” tv shows and am truly disappointed so many do!!
Please do not cancel give it a chance.
My husband and I love this show so much!!! We watch it every week and feel it is getting bette and better with every show. It is so different from all the other showes on right now. All the other showes are so predictable, Detroit 1 8 7 is unpredictable. It keeps you interested. I’m not sitting watching it knowing what’s going to happen next. I totally don’t understand this show not getting good ratings. The network needs to give them another season. The season finally was so good. We kept thinking someone was going to get killed and then… Read more »
I am very disappointed that ABC is considering to cancel Detroit 187. All of the actors/actresses are excellent together. My husband and I are tired of networks showing idiotic shows like Idol, Dancing with the Stars, etc. which require no thinking! We truly enjoyed this series and will resort to watching DVDs as opposed to viewing the current network’s choices!
This show is the highlight of my week in Television. Not since NYPD Blue has a show grabbed my attention in this manner. In a age where we deal with many of the issues explored in this drama, it would be a shame to lose it. And yes, I am in the “demagraphic of 18-49” ABC needs to bring this one back.
Please do not cancel this show…
My Husband and I both Love this series. Michael Imperoli, and the rest of the cast are the best. This series keeps getting better and better.
Detroit 187 going off the air?? You’ve got to be kidding!!! It has to be an indicator of the dumbing down of the masses!! Dancing w/the Stars, The Bachelor, etc. is the drivel that seems to captivate the slack jawed audiences’ attention…it’s pretty pathetic. It just goes to show that most ANYTHING of any quality is most definitely not recognized by the TV watching public. Detroit 187 was one of the few shows on TV that I looked forward to…so now we’re relegated to Real Housewives of wherever??????? It’s beyond exaperating…but thanks for a few good hours.