CBS has announced that they’re pulling Harper’s Island series from its high-profile, post-CSI timeslot and sending it to a primetime deathslot. However, the network contends that the move doesn’t diminish their faith in the series.
Harper’s Island revolves around a group of family and friends who come together for a wedding on a secluded island. Before the nuptials can commence the wedding guests are slain, one by one, by a mysterious killer. The show’s ensemble cast includes Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Gorham, Katie Cassidy, Cameron Richardson, Adam Campbell, Richard Burgi, Jim Beaver, C.J. Thomason, Victor Webster, Jay Brazeau, Dean Chekvala, Matt Barr, and Harry Hamlin.
The premiere of Harper’s aired on April 9th, opposite NBC’s new Southland series. The show won the timeslot in total viewership (10.49 million) but was second in the 18-49 demographic with a 2.7/8 rating/share. However, when you look a little closer, those numbers aren’t as positive as one might think. Harper’s lost over a third of its CSI lead-in audience and almost as much in the coveted demo. On top of that, about 10% of Harper’s audience tuned out midway through the premiere episode.
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The second week, Harper’s dropped to an average of 8.17 million viewers and a 2.2/6 rating/share. Last Thursday’s installment fell once again to an audience of 7.45 million and a 2.0/6 in the demo. With this steady decline and consistent loss of the CSI lead-in, it certainly didn’t look like Harper’s was long for this world.
It’s no shocker that CBS has sent the 13-episode series to Saturday nights at 9pm beginning this week. Repeats of Criminal Minds will fill the timeslot for the immediate future.
But CBS has put a positive spin on the decision, based on the DVR and online viewership numbers. Kelly Kahl, the network’s Senior Executive VP of Prime Time, says, “The preliminary DVR and online streaming data suggest a passionate audience for Harper’s outside its current Thursday time period borders. This move gives us an opportunity to improve the time period on Thursday while experimenting with more original programming on Saturday, and continuing to serve an audience that is clearly engaged in the ongoing Harper’s Island story.”
Though this season of 13 episodes was always intended to conclude the mystery, the network was hoping to bring the show back for a second season, with a different cast and mystery. Though this move doesn’t completely close the door on that possibility, it’s highly unlikely. After all, when was the last time a show that was exiled to Saturday nights ended up returning for another season?
Image courtesy CBS.
I have to say that the one expression wonder Katie Cassidy is not a great actress. In fact, if she isn’t killed for that insipid ever present dumb look on her face, I will scream. Almost as loud as when she was pointing the shotgun at large knife wielding John Wakefield, but exited instead leaving small knife Shane to die. Both offenses are death worthy on a show where no reason is required.
I saw the previews for Harper’s Island a couple months before the show ever started. The previews caught my attention right off the bat…. I have since set my DVR to record it every week not missing a single episode. In fact I have several people hooked on it as well. My brother and his girlfriend are at my house every Saturday night with their eyes glued to the screen! I think it was VERY well written. It’s horrible that I have to wait TWO WEEKS to watch it again. I can’t believe it’s already over. Hopefully it’ll come out… Read more »
I Love Love Love this show!!!!! we need something different on TVthese days, Reality TV has taken over the air waves, WAY TOO LONG. A murder mystery is just what tv is lacking now a days, no more “Murder she wrote” or “Matlock” shows, I get really tired of all the spinoffs of spinoffs like CSI’s and NCIS’s. Cant we come up with ORIGINAL shows guys. The cast in Harpers Island is great, I thought TV Guide gave away the killer back a few months ago and I was miffed, I thought if they just told me who the killer… Read more »
i started to watch the show and it started off good and i thought it couldnt get any worst but i was wrong. wow after they realize that nobody was watching they must have just put stuff together so they could get it over with.
I love this show. I have gotten so many people to watch it. It has great writing, and the acting is great. I actually find it scary.
I love Harpers Island. I would love to have the show come back for a 2nd season. I have enjoyed the show everyweek and can’t wait for the show to come on every week. It is a great mystery to see who is going to die next. It has had a great twist. I will be said when it is over. I hope they put the show on DVD so I can watch it over again.
Thank you.
this show is great. i have not missed an episode. if i cant watch better believe i dvr it. come monday its our talk of the day at work. hopefully they will make another series like it next summer or even sooner. i truely believe there is a fan base just need the right cast and storyline. the cast of harpers is excellent. this is a great mystery and truely keeps u guessing. each week we try to guess who it may be aND the next week our guesses are proven wrong with their untimely deaths. very suspenseful! Thanks!!!
One of my favorite shows-great cast. I would love to see another series just like it. I think many viewers who missed the 1st couple of shows just did not want to strat in the middle of the mystery- If they could strat from the beginning-no doubt they would be hooked
I find it totally amazing that shows that are good and well played out are always the ones to be cancelled … Yes, let’s make room for another reality show … let’s see what hasn’t been done … oh I know gladiators fighting to the death…what’s one more garbage show …. or how about live from Alaska it’s Sarah Palin skinning a moose ….How about keeping Harpers Island and cancelling Conan O’brien. That is why network television is going to hell in a breadbasket and cable is taking over… why not listen to what the people like to watch ….… Read more »
I usually don’t watch CBS, but Harper’s Island change that. Only thing is, CBS likes to cancel shows and all to often before the finale. This show is great. I finally look forward to Saturday night TV. Personally I think that Jimmy is Wakefields son, and maybe he’s known that Wakefield wasn’t dead, but I don’t think he is helping kill. Maybe its someone new, that hasn’t been introduced yet, cause usually I can figure it out, but not this time. The writers got me stumped. Also, what the hell is up with little Madison? She shows no emotion! She… Read more »
Even though it is silly, it’s the best entertainment we’ve had in a long time. Tired of all of “reality”. It reminds me of 10 Little Indians.
I absolutly LOVE Harper’s Island! It makes my day and sometimes even my week…
It’s much better than a regular horror movie because there is an amazing story and a lot of attention to detail. I was kinda sad when they killed JD and it was even more sad when Cal and Chloe died. LOVE the show!!!
I was a huge 100% fan of harpers island in the beginning and still am. I have not missed one episode! If i have to, I watch it online. I absolutely love the mystery, suspence and all that comes with this show! I can’t wait to see why all this is happening!
this show makes my saturday. it is better than many “scary” movies, and the writers and the actors on the show are absolutely brilliant! people, dont judge the show unless you’ve been following since episode one, cuz it wouldnt make sense, go watch all the episodes on the cbs site, and you will be enthralled if you appreciate good television. believe me, there aint much out there like this anymore…
brilliant
I want a new season so badly..and i cannot believe that Cal and Chloe died I was so upset, they were the best in the whole show and I wanted them to survive!!!! I WANT NEW SEASONS!!!!! THIS IS THE BEST SHOW IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!