ABC recently unveiled a new reality competition series called Expedition Impossible. From Mark Burnett, the force behind Survivor and The Apprentice, the TV show bears more than a passing resemblance to CBS’ long-running The Amazing Race. Will this new series be as successful or will it be quickly cancelled instead?
Hosted by zoologist Dave Salmoni, Expedition Impossible follows 13 teams of three people racing through the great outdoors — across barren deserts and over snow-covered mountains. Each week, a new part of the expedition is revealed to the contestants and at least one team is eliminated from the competition. The winning trio of adventurers receives $50,000 each in prize money and a new Ford Explorer.
The TV series debuted on June 23rd to a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 7.18 million viewers, airing opposite all repeats. That was a healthy premiere and Expedition Impossible was first in the timeslot for the demo and second in total viewership, behind CSI.
A week later, the demo numbers fell 25% to a 1.8 in the demo and 6.16 million viewers. The following episodes’ ratings kept dropping week after week with occasional upward spikes. On August 11th, Expedition Impossible hit a low of a 1.1 demo rating and just 3.83 million viewers.
So far this season, it’s averaging a 1.6 in the demo and 5.19 million viewers. With the exception of Friday night’s Karaoke Battle USA, Expedition Impossible has the worst ratings average of any reality competition series currently on the network. It had a solid start but the overall decline has been serious.
ABC could choose to bring this show back for season two but, quite honestly, they have other summer options that perform better.
But, what do you think? Does Expedition Impossible deserve to be renewed for season two or should it be cancelled instead?
Image courtesy ABC.
Greetings from down under, Amazing race was a different reality tv show, yet it became somewhat predictable. Yes it appealed to people who like adventure and the great outdoors. However, it lacked some of the drama that you see in Survivor, like forming alliances that do affect the end outcome and most importantly it lacked the element of strategy or deceit – hence that is why it lost it’s ratings… I would like to see it in second season with a new twist or with more spice… For example; 1) Having at least one female in each team as it… Read more »
I loved this show from the beginning and more than a year later I still want to see more, but I feel like it was already canceled. I hope I am wrong
Keep it! It’s awesome!!
I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Renew with a NEW host. The host is terribly boring and blah. I am sure he is amazing at his true profession but he is an awful host. Anytime I mentioned the show to people they immediately said “the host is terrible”. I believe that is why their ratings dropped. They also need to follow the instructions or get penalized. If your next clue or task says to stay on the mule path then stay on it and do not run around it or you will get penalized. Other then disliking the host and the bad direction (yes all of… Read more »
I thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable show and watched every week. Gypsies were awesome to have won all legs but one. And 2nd place No Limits were truly inspiring. But to have gone through all they did – far worse than any Survivor or Amazing Race season – for only $50k each plus a car for only the winning team??? That’s shameful!
Kepp it! Great show! So entertaining!!
its a very good show. i had watched it every week. abc if they’re smart they’ll bring it back for a 2nd season.
Keep the show but get a new host.
I totally agree with Pochantas! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Keep Expedition Impossible! Expedition Impossible has many interesting players! Does Survivor or Amazing Race have a blind guy on their show? Yea I don’t think so. Teamwork was shown with every team!
Please please please please please keep Expedition Impossible!!!! I love watching this show!!! I get very entertained. Please please please please please keep it!!!! A lot of people in my neighborhood love to watch this show. We even got together to watch the finale. It is a great way to make friends and bring people together. I hope you take these posts into consideration. Thanks!!!!
Expedition Impossible can’t go! This is a show without much drama, well with the exception of Fab 3’s sibling fights. But those fights are funny! Football Players are funny when they went in caves and the water! No Limits was funny because they didn’t want to lose to people in knee socks…and they didn’t! Totally made me laugh!
Keep Expedition Impossible! It’s my favorite show, my 14 year old daughter’s favorite show and my 6 year old’s son’s favorite show! Every Thursday night we would get a bowl of popcorn and watch it with the whole family! Forget Survivor and Amazing Race! Expedition Impossible deserves more seasons!
I love Expedition Impossible! Keep it! Its a funny action show…great for family nights! The suspense is really keeps you wondering!
YES! Bring it back! I think that Expedition Impossible is an awesome show. Yes, it has aspects of The Amazing Race and Survivor but it also stands alone from them as well and has their own creativeness. I think it should be on another day though so that reality show junkies like myself that enjoy watching shows like TAR and Survivor, it’ll also probably raise ratings because it will allow for other people to catch it on TV.
Renew the series it is awesome as hell! Come on people comment!
Renew the show. Enjoyed the series. Gypsies were amazing and deserved the win. No Limits was inspiring. All the teams worked hard for the pride of completing such a physically challenging expedition. It puts amazing race and survivor to shame. Hopefully sponsors will pick it up though I hope it doesn’t start rewarding teams arriving first like Amazing Race has done after the popularity as increased (the first season of Amazing race didn’t have the product placement and rewards) as prefer to keep the ruggedness and have them increase the winners share and give something more to each team in… Read more »