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?
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Image courtesy FOX.
This show is thoroughly enjoyable and shouldn’t be cancelled. Like many other people, I find it difficult to trackdown the time and day of showing. The frustration with Fox channel inconsistency is very irritating. This is a GREAT SHOW SERIES comparable to any James Bond movies and NCIS (which I also enjoy weekly, including re-runs).
Get a clue FOX – this is a keeper.
I look forward to it on Hulu. It is one of the few shows I look for actually it’s the only one I look for. I don’t have cable so I guess I’m not counted?
My wife and I love this show. KEEP IT ON THE AIR. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS ON TELEVISION. KEEP IT IN THE SAME TIMESLOT FROM WEEK TO WEEK. THAT’S THE REASON PEOPLE ARE WATCHING AS THEY SHOULD. IT MOVES EVERY WEEK. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? keep the show on the air.
Really enjoy this show, the adventure, the characters, and there certainly weren’t enough episodes. Hope it comes back!
AWesome show what wrong with fox!!!
this is a great show i do not watch alot of tv but this one i will put down whatever i am doing to watch it. I do not know what FOX is thinking they have lost their minds.
Human Target is a great show, in my opinion and the opinion of my friends. One problem Fox is not consistant on the day and time they air the show, so how can they expect good numbers. People do not know when it is going to show. This is not the problem with Human Target it is a problem with Fox. What does Fox expect when they apear to want to kill the show. Again the show is great, Fox on the other hand is not.
this is a great show i do not watch alot of tv but this one i will put down whatever i am doing to watch it. I do not know what FOX is thinking.
Fox is crazy if they cancel this show….it is fantastic!!! If they would quit moving it around from Sunday, to Wednesday, to Monday, it might have a chance. Quit promoting American Idol so much and start promoting Human Target. It’s action, comedy and it has Guerrero. Love it!!
Really great show, I love all the people on the show. Do Not Canel
Just keep it on the same night
Keep this show and leave it in 1 time slot how may crappy reality shows do the networks need on TV please keep this show. Great characters fun show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please listen to the viewers on this one! We love this show! You keep moving the show times it’s hard to keep track of when it airs. Give it a chance and leave it on a time slot.
keep it- one of the best shows in fox or any networks lineup
I love the show but have a hard time finding when it is showing. If they would put it in a spot and leave it there I am sure the number of viewers would increase. I really would like to keep watching it.
I just cannot believe my ears on this one. They re-vamped this show with some characters that are also fantastic, and here we go again..wanting to cancel the show. I think the only bad luck the show has had is being on FOX. I have been an avid fan of NCIS and NCIS:LA. This season, THIS show has beat the stuffing out of them. It is riveting from the start and goes all the way through. It has a twist of humor and a twist of irony and brawn as well. Please reconsider this one..I think you are making a… Read more »
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS SHOW!