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.
Tell me it isn’t so! I love this show. The chemistry between the cast is great. It reminds me a lot of Homicide: Life on the Street which was also one of my favorites. Please don’t cancel it.
I’m so dissapointed with Abc, Detroit 187 is a great show, well acted and very entertaining. The network never give new shows a chance. I hope they keep it on the air.
Love this show and would like it to come back. Stories are too tied up with a bow and all pretty at the end of the hour. Needed more continuity from week to week. I had a hard time accepting Fitch committing murder last night and a hard time with his son’s easy adjustment back into his life. Needed a bit more reality but I will stay with it if it comes back. I hope so.
I really enjoyed the show. I do, however, believe that there was not enough press on the show. I didn’t see many commercial advertisements for the show during the week. Also, the time slot might have played into it a bit. Most people are preparing for bed around 10:00 pm. In any case, I hope that ABC will keep the show running or if ABC doesn’t pick it up, maybe another network will.
I remember another police drama on ABC that suffered poor ratings it’s first year but was critically aclaimed just like Detroit 1-8-7. The network almost cancelled it but decided to give it another chance and it paid off. Just think what it would have been like if NYPD Blue had been cancelled? Detroit 1-8-7 deserves another season and a different time slot.
Are you kidding me!!! Please tell me that this show will not be cancelled. With the amount of trash on network television today it seems incomprehensible that a show this good would not survive. I give up!!! Give me a good book instead. I guess television is not for me.
Love this show. The characters are real and down-to-earth. The plots are interesting. I wish the network would renew it.
This show has been improving and developing its characters with each episode. It should definitely be given a second chance. Being pre-empted two weeks in a row most recently didn’t help with the momentum the show had going.
It is a shame this show is leaving after 1 season. Last year another network stopped a show I liked called “Trauma”. I don’t understand why networks cancel shows that are decent versus reality tv shows that don’t even matter. I would rather watch a tv show with good writing and drama vs something that is not even “real”. I loved DETROIT 187, it was a great show in my eyes, reminded me of NYPD Blue days. Sorry to see it go.
PLEASE ABC bring it back!!!! I LOVE this show!!!!!
A real shame. My husband and I were really into it. Great acting, great stories and it was just getting started. What a shame. Once again, trash/reality TV wins the day. Sigh!
I am suffering a severe case of the series finale blues this season: the gaping holes left by “Law & Order”s and “The Tudors” departures last spring, “Friday Night Lights,” “Big Love,” and (say it isn’t so!) now “Detroit 1-8-7.” It was bad enough when ABC killed off “The Whole Truth” after less than a handful of episodes. I have decided that my affection for a show seems to be inversely proportional to its chances for success (except, perhaps, on premium cable, where my faves have thus far enjoyed several seasons before falling victim to either ratings blues or the… Read more »
I loved this show, I would hate to see this go off the air and have that awful cop show on monday set in Chicago make it.
ABC please rethink canceling this show.. its the best program on T V.. to see Detroit is both heartbreaking and wonderful, I came from there 50 yeras ago I love the city and it deserves a break.. Suggestions… name the locations your going to.. I check out everyone to see if its somewhere near where I lived, example Mack and St Jean.. name the shops and restaurants, thats advertising for the owners. Come on give it another chance, advertise it, move the timeslot if you have to , don’t preempt for stupid shows that have been talked about all day… Read more »
I really enjoyed the show and will be sorry if/when it is canceled. The characters are great. I don’t get how a show with that no talent hack David Caruso survives and this one may not.