FOX’s new action series, Human Target debuted this week with two episodes in three timeslots. The network is making a big push to make sure it’s a hit. Did they succeed?
Human Target follows Christopher Chance (Mark Valley), a handsome personal bodyguard with a talent for charming the ladies and protecting his clients at the same time. Winston (Chi McBride) is his partner and Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) is their tech-talented hired gun.
The show is based on a DC Comics character who assumes the identities of the client he’s protecting. Rick Springfield starred in a 1992 version but it only lasted seven episodes on ABC.
FOX is hoping this new version will last a lot longer. While the network has ordered 12 episodes for season one, based on the early ratings, it’s hard to say if the series will last any longer than that.
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On Sunday night, airing before the season eight premiere of 24, Human Target attracted an average of 10.19 million viewers with a 2.9/7 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. That puts it in third place in both the total audience and in the all-important demo. It was a positive sign however that the audience for the second half-hour grew from the first.
On Tuesday night, FOX replayed the first episode, leading out of American Idol. The repeat drew 8.83 million viewers and a 3.3/9 rating/share in the demo. While that’s a good showing for a rerun, Human Target lost more than two-thirds of its lead-in audience. That’s not good.
Then, on Wednesday night, episode two attracted 10.46 million viewers and a 3.4/9 in the demo. That’s a 60% loss from its lead-in and Human Target also lost about two million viewers in the second half hour. That’s particularly worrisome because the show’s permanent timeslot will be 8pm on Wednesday nights and won’t have the American Idol lead-in to help draw in viewers. (Next week, it’ll be airing on Tuesday at 9pm because of the President’s address.)
While Human Target isn’t in immediate danger of cancellation, the show could easily be dropped after one season if the numbers erode. Right now, things could go either way and well have to see what happens in the next few weeks.
What do you think? Is Human Target worth watching or should the show be “snuffed out?” Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy FOX.
I can’t believe they cancelled Human Target. I loved the great cast and the interesting cases. What fun to see Chance and the gang to outwit the baddies. I am very surprised at Fox.
For as long as they last I’ll be watching NCIS, (CBS), Chuck (NBC), Castle (ABC), Bones (FOX), Fringe (FOX), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Burn Notice (USA), The Mentalist (CBS), The Closer (TNT), Leverage (TNT)………..
dont cancle human target its a awaome show whats breaking in i have never heard of that show who ever is making these decisions need to b fired
PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW! MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE HUMAN TARGET AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE OF IT.
I love this show and have saved all the series
Please don’t cancel
I loved watching this show since it was something we could watch as a family. My grandson loved the Over The Top stunts and intrigue and I didn’t need to worry about any naked women or bedroom romps that are not usually necessary anyway.
I also enjoyed how all of the characters were beginning to develop, and their special kind of humor. Please think about it before you get rid of this very good series. I would also miss my weekly dose of Mark Valley.
Thank-You, Alice Davis
Keep the show, its interesting and unique. Cleverly done, humorous with a good kick of action. Thoroughly enjoy the program. Everything else on tv is all the same. Just law and medical junk. Enough already.
Human Target is a verrrrrry good show. It should stay on the air. Why do you always keep the bad shoes and cancel the good ones?
Mark Valley is great in this role and the rest of cast is fabulous! For those of us are so sick of reality TV, please do not cancel this show. Great Characters, great writing and fun to watch. Keep it on!!