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 RESPONDED SOME TIME AGO, BUT TO REITERATE…..THE SHOW IS “GREAT’!
BEST TV SERIES IN A LONG TIME.
MY REASONS:
THE ACTORS
THE PLOTS
THE HUMOR
GREAT WRITERS
EACH EPISODE REACHES A CONCLUSION
WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THE NEXT SEASON TO START?
DOT
@Dot: IF it’s renewed (we’ll know by mid-May at the latest), it could resume either in the fall or early 2011.
We think the show is great. It has plenty of action but some thoughtful moments too, along with the background story involving Chance and the other two main characters and the continuing battle with Baptiste and his big boss.
The show should go on another season. Chuck was almost axed the 1st season but has succeeded. Human Target has a good shot to do the same.
KEEP! KEEP! KEEP!.. It’s the most exciting show on TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE KEEP THE SHOW! I STUMBLED ON IT AND LIKED IT SO MUCH THAT I WENT TO THE WEBSITE AND WATCHED ALL THE EPISODES. WOW! THIS SHOW WILL GO VERY FAR WITH JUST A LITTLE MORE MRKETING AND OF COURSE WORD OF MOUTH. CREATE HUMAN TARGET SHIRTS, BUMPER STICKERS, ETC. IT MIGHT BE COOL TO BRING IN BAPTISTE AS HIS PARTNER AND RATCHET UP THE BAD GUYS.
Great show! Keep it around.
Now that I have watched all 12 episodes and some twice I think that the network should definitely keep the show. It’s refreshing, keep the dog and the guy thing is both serious and humorous. I have to say though network tv is constantly selling the over 50 crowd short so if you do cancel it FOX please send it over to TNT which is showing a great respect for us. I need a HERO!!!! and this show has THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP HUMAN TARGET…………….
keep it
It is the only show we watch, please return it next year.
This show is a Definite HIT!!!! I LOVE it!!!!
a real keeper, funny, witty, suspensful, full of action, good sub plots, easy to get wrapped up in, easy viewing,
Keep it its awesome!!!!!
LOVE this show — I really hope they keep it!!!
Keep it! It’s a great show–don’t cancel. Haven’t missed an episode. Do they count Hulu viewing in their statistics??
excellent series. well acted. different. well written…unique cast. must keep it one, pretty please!
One of the best series in a long time….keep it, without a doubt!