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.
please renew! it was such an amazing show with gr8 adventures, i would really like to be a contestant on the show if they do renew,,,the gypsies and no limits are really inspiring!!!
My entire family loved loved loved expedition impossible. It was our favorite show to watch this summer. It was exciting and filled with fun adventures. My son is 8 years old and was glued to the T.V for the whole hour, we need more shows like expedition impossible. It was nice to watch a show with my son that didn’t have any negativity. Each week we were more and more amazed by NO LIMITS, the courage and team work that no limits displayed was so inspiring! They showed America every week that no matter what disability you may have you… Read more »
I think they should keep it!!!
I loved it!
My husband and I loved this show. We watched it every week and wished we were a part of it. It would be great if it was renewed for another season (and if Canadians could go on!)
@ Alex
u clearly didnt learn anything from the season
its not about pysical strength its about mental strength
u can do anything with a strong positive mentallity
@ barb
u didnt learn anything eaither
gyspy’s only had 2 make one mistake 2 lose the game
so it really is anyones game
they would b stupid not 2 renew it
it was only the 1st season- so lots of ppl didnt kno bout it
Please give us a season 2. I watched it all summer and found it to be so refreshing. It’s different from all the other backstabbing reality shows. The scenery was extraordinary, the people real and the expedition impossible. I loved it.
Renew it, the physical side makes it far more interesting than any other reality show on tv.
Hated it. I knew that team gyspy would win by the fourth week, didn’t even watch the finale. TAR is far superior and much more enjoyable.
Renew!!! This is the only show I watch and It would break my heart to see it end
I think Expedition Impossible is a better show than Amazing Race. I like that it is all in one country and more physically grueling. It would be great to see Season 2 set in a more tropical environment, like Vietnam or Thailand.
I enjoyed it. Amazing race NEVER aired on time. Sunday is family night for us. I would record Amazing Race and always miss the end because it did not start on time, due to a sports event. I became frustrated with the Amazing Race because I never saw the end of the episode. My family just stopped watching because we never got the end of the program.
RENEW!!! I love that it’s such a physical challenge. This show inspires me to apply. If you want to race from country to country then watch Amazing Race. This is Expedition Impossible! It needs to be physical.
Definately renew! Love the show, but would love to see more interaction between the contestants like the Gypsies and No Limits.
I have always been bored with the “Amazing Race”, because the race does NOT depend on your abilities, but the road blocks they put in front of you. Expedition Impossible is all about conquering your fears, working together, individual skill sets and learning how to work with animals you may never have touched, much less ridden. I almost let this one slip by, thinking it was just another race. The No Limits Team made it so exciting. My very best wishes to all three – Jeff – has to be the most patient friend ever, Erik – displayed such trust… Read more »
If they want to bring it back, they really have to make some changes. There are problems and the drop in ratings showed that. First of all, there is too much emphasis on on the physical side and sheer hard slog. It’s not really surprising most of the most of the girls team and older ones got eliminated in the first few episodes – they simply don’t have the physical strength. Second, too much testing of the similar challenges – walking/running, rowing/paddling/sailing/, rappelling, etc. Those who are strong in these will have a big advantage, and it is really again… Read more »