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.
This show was far superior to The Amazing Race and we really hope ABC brings it back this summer!
Please keep this show, we really enjoyed it and we loved rooting for our favorite teams.
Keep it! It’s one of the best reality shows. I keep checking for news of a 2nd season.
This show should be kept on the air. It is very inspirational to others who might think that “things” cannot be done due to a disadvantage. It’s actually a great show!!
PLEASE keep this show on the air! My husband and I LOVED it and would love to be on it. I thought it was better made than other similar shows of it’s kind. The tasks were truly physical challenges and petty issues didn’t take center stage as in other reality competition shows that in my opinion, have become trashy. I loved it, and really hope it comes back next season.
Yes it is a keeper
YOU have to have a 2nd season!!!!! It was awesome!!
Good idea but they picked bad boring teams. Looking on youtube i though team almost family, team polaris and team alaska would have been good choices
KEEP IT….PLEASE..ONE OF THE BETTER REALITY SHOWS.
Keep it! I also got hooked on this show. Yes, in some ways it is like The Amazing Race. Although, the challenges the contestants/teams must complete are solved on a more rugged terrain (mountains, rivers & deserts). Therefore, making the competition a bit more physically exhausting than that of “The Amazing Race”. The teams are made up of 3 contestants each; this makes it harder to win the competition as you are relying on all 3 members of the team to stay healthy and free of injury.
I got hooked by this show. I don’t really watch a lot of TV, but I watched each and every episode of Expedition: Impossible. The show was a great mix of adventure and emotion, and the competitors accomplished amazing feats. If the formula is similar to Amazing Race, so be it. Amazing Race has a good formula, sure, but Expedition: Impossible is more entertaining because it’s a real challenge rather than which taxicab driver is faster.
Keep it. The people who one did earn the prize. Almost everyone was a good sport. Teams helped each other. It was very enjoyable.
Keep it. This was the best reality show of the season.
I loved the show. It needs to come back.
Keep it! I think it is a great show! The show is great for the whole family to watch, which is very rare these days. Who cares if it is like the other realty show. You know how many other realty shows are all alike. I see Gooooooooo seson 2.