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.
That was obviously a series finale, a beautifully written gift for the fans of this show. Thanks for not leaving us hanging, and for going out in style.
This show is one of the best police dramas ever. The cast is perfect and I love seeing Detroit! Like others have said…maybe TNT would/could get it. We can hope! It kills me that shows like Glee and The Bachelor have consistently high ratings, and this show gets canned. What the heck are we thinking???
One of the best programs there is. Please bring it back….I agree put it on Fox or anywhere just bring it back another season. Come on everyone get behind Detroit 1-8-7. Lets let ABC know wer want them back. I may give up watching some ABC programs.
One of the best programs there is. Please bring it back….I agree put it on Fox, anywhere but just bring it back. Come on everyone get behind Detroit 1-8-7 . Lets let ABC know we want them back, maybe give up watching another ABC program.
Excellent show. Maybe it was too thoughtful for the viewing public, and the women were too strong for “guys”. Great characters with real passion for their work and care for each other. Imperioli always delivers.
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL DETROIT 187 REMINDS ME OF NYPD BLUE. CHARACTERS ON 187 ARE UNIQUE , THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITY AND THEY ALL GEL TOGETHER AS A GROUP. WAS SORRY TO SEE STONE GO OFF THE SHOW. FITCH IS MY FAVORITE CHARACTER. HAS A COMPLEX PERSONALITY BUT YET HE HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR TOO. PLEASE TRY TO PUT THE SHOW ON IN ANOTHER TIME SLOT, RIGHT NOW ITS OPPOSITE THE GOOD WIFE . SUNDAY NITE @10PM OR THURSDAY NITE AT 10 PM IS ANOTHER GOOD CHOICE. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!
My husband and I think it is a great show. I hope they don’t cancel it!
I am completely in love with this show and shocked by its low ratings. Detroit 1-8-7 has poweful characters, well developed story lines, and wonderful visuals — what more could you want from a show? I must have a skewed perspective about cop shows, because one of my other favorite show (Southland) was canceled by its regular network and now appears on a cable channel. Thank heavens for cable channels! I really hope the network re-evaluates this program and gives it a second season.
We are really sad that ABC is taking this show off the air. It is excellent. We love the fact that it is filmed on location in Detroit – a city that doesn’t get much notice on TV -.
The writers are finally giving us insight to the Fitch character. Perhaps that came too slowly, but each week they gave us a tidbit into what makes him tick. We can only hope it will be picked up by another network.
Why is it that the real quality shows like this one never seem to last?
Well, another great show will bite the dust as the bean counters keep putting cheaper to run more Reality shows on. Cable keeps getting more expensive and we are getting less and less quality shows to watch. My wife and I guess feel that TV will be the next to go to the graveyard with VCR’s, 8-Tracks, etc. We get hundreds of useless channels and the few that have great shows we’ve enjoyed over the years (we’re seniors) are always getting cancelled due to “demographics”. With more and more seniors out there, guess we don’t count as the bean counters… Read more »
This show is one of my favorites on TV. The low ratings are a mystery to me. It has intriguing characters, compelling action, and a sense of humanity. (One downside is the long breaks for multiple commercials!) Must all shows appeal to the same group of people? Let’s hope ABC can recognize quality work when they see it.
The show Detroit 1-8-7 is great!!! It’s the perverse, American viewer that’s the problem. Apparently you would rather watch a drive by shooting like “Crazy Charlie” then good drama!!! Think about it. Michael Imperioli on free tv. Put D 187 on HBO, it’s a hit. Hey Charlie, “Losing”! Hey Pres. Paul Lee, ABC, “Losing”!!!
detroit 187 is one of the very best police shows. very believeable, great cast, great scripts. please dont cancel and give us another mindless reality or sickening comedic program to replace this. give this show a chance to evolve. good shows sometimes take a second season to click. tv stations are loosing many viewers to cable so we don’t have to watch the mindless crap being made available through regular prime time. leave us with some serious viewing choices.
Please don’t cancel Detroit 1-8-7. I love this show.
Greatest show since NYPD Blue! Great Cast.
Poor Programming , and support. Sell it to Fox , they will garner an audience.
I guess it wasn’t simple minded enough for ABC. …..Too bad