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FOX has renewed its Lethal Weapon TV show for a third season but, as previously reported, Clayne Crawford won’t be a part of it. Seann William Scott will replace him as the show’s co-lead.
A comedic FOX buddy cop drama, season two of Lethal Weapon stars Damon Wayans, Clayne Crawford, Keesha Sharp, Kevin Rahm, Jordana Brewster, Johnathan Fernandez, Dante Brown, Chandler Kinney, and Michelle Mitchenor. The story centers on two very different cops working together on the streets of Los Angeles. While family man Roger Murtaugh (Wayans) has everything to live for, there doesn’t seem to be anything Martin Riggs (Crawford) won’t sacrifice to avenge the loss of his own family.
Lethal Weapon: A Look at the Ratings
The second season of Lethal Weapon is averaging a 0.99 rating in the 18-49 viewer demographic and 4.11 million viewers. Compared to season one, that’s down by 37% and 37%, respectively. It generally ranks in the middle of scripted FOX TV shows.
What’s to Come
The television adaptation of the feature film franchise has drawn a decent audience for FOX and reportedly does well internationally. So, the renewal makes sense but it remains to be seen if viewers will stick with the show through this big cast change.
Cast members’ contracts are renewed on an annual basis and Warner Bros. Television decided not to renew Crawford’s. Reportedly, the decision was not taken lightly because of the possible financial ramifications. However, the studio is said to have a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior.
SPOILER ALERT The second season finale set up Crawford’s exit from the series with a cliffhanger ending. His character, Riggs, had been set to return to Texas when he was surprisingly shot in the chest. It’s unclear if the character will survive offscreen but it doesn’t seem likely.
Word is that Scott will play a new character on the series who will replace Riggs as Murtaugh’s partner. Several actors were reportedly considered for the role and the deal was sealed over the weekend when Scott and Wayans had a face-to-face meeting.
“Seann is a fantastic addition to this already amazing cast,” said Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn. “Lethal Weapon is packed with action, drama and pure fun and we can’t wait to see Damon and Seann together on screen. Matt Miller, his incredible team and everyone at Warner Bros. have been tremendous partners, and we’re thrilled to bring this show back for another season.”
What do you think? Did you think FOX would cancel or renew Lethal Weapon for season three? Do you plan to tune in for a third season without Crawford as part of the team?
Can’t imagine the show without Riggs’ character – it will lose the show’s chemistry and fans. It’s good-bye for me and Lethal Weapon.
The show’s ratings will drop and it will be cancelled sadly!
Surely they won’t try to make the new guy be Riggs.
The show had great chemistry between the 2 lead men. So sorry Crawford is out. Loved his craziness. We’ll miss him. Certainly couldn’t tell there were problems there. We’ll watch a few episodes to see how it goes. He will be a hard act to follow. Enjoyed Wayans character; they were a very good fit.
Without Crawford in the role of Riggs, there is no Lethal Weapon and no reason to watch this show. It is his weird unexpected quirkiness that made it compelling to watch. l am a huge fan of all things Damon Wayans , but his character needs the Riggs character to make it interesting. Because the two lead actors make the show, I think if Me. Wayans thinks the Riggs character needs to leave the show, then he needs to leave the show, but nobody else should get to make that decision.
Crawford’s creativity playing Riggs is going to be a tough act to follow. Being able to have a burning yet lovable personality while being an effective Homicide Detective is a personnel order that is difficult to put in writing without sounding overzelous and too demanding. I am watching for specific details in the fulfillment of this personality. We shal wait and see.
I, like so many others, enjoyed Riggs (Clayne Crawford) character on TV for it help made the show what it was. What we all need to understand and keep in mind is what we see on TV is acting and should never be compared to how a person personality truly is. From what I understand Clayne Crawford had a dark side that was worse than what his character Riggs played on TV that didn’t mix well with what any actor or actress should ever have to go through. No body knows what gous on behind the scene and the true… Read more »
“From what I understand Clayne Crawford had a dark side that was worse than what his character Riggs played on TV that didn’t mix well with what any actor or actress should ever have to go through.”
I wonder, when the truth about all this comes out and you find out it was Damon Wayans who was actually the problem, and that all the accusations he originally ‘leaked’ to Deadline and then claimed on Twitter (and deleted) were false or embellished to the point of libel, will you feel the same?
Ate you kidding me?! I will NOT be watching anymore. Clayne was the reason I watched. His character made the show. No one can replace him, and it will NOT be the same. I’m very pissed right now.
I agree without Crawford there’s no show there for me to watch
We will not watch it without Riggs.
Are you kidding me?!?! How can you call it “Lethal Weapon” without Riggs!?! Crawford did an AWESOME job! I will NOT be watching anymore! I guarantee you that!
Are your kidding me?!?! How can you call it Lethal Weapon without Riggs?!? Crawford did an AWESOME job!!! It was a great show just as it was! I’ll not watch it! I guarantee you that!
Definitely would like to see the cast stay the same for Lethal Weapon. Also would like to see the tv show with Morris Chestnut come back
My family and I stopped watching as soon as Clayne fired.
They have benefitted from his acting building show into a credible product- so do not like their ethics nor other cast member’s mudslinging.
I am so disappointed!!! NO ONE can be as good as Crawford was as Riggs. We may watch 1 or 2 to see if it’s any good, but this new guy has some mighty big shoes to fill.
Just can’t believe I won’t have Riggs to watch anymore. I’ll truly miss him
I’ll give it a chance…a lot of shows have recast and done well and I love the rest of the cast so why be so negative until you see the new product!