It’s “lights out” for FX’s new boxing drama series. FX has cancelled Lights Out after one season due to poor ratings.
Lights Out revolves around Patrick ‘Lights’ Leary (Holt McCallany), an aging former heavyweight boxing champion. He struggles to find his identity and support his wife and three daughters after retiring from the ring. The poor economy and a series of bad investments leave Patrick at a perilous crossroads; battling the urge to return to boxing or reluctantly accepting a job as a brutal and intimidating debt collector. The show also features Catherine McCormack, Pablo Schreiber, and Stacy Keach.
Though some critics applauded the series, not many people watched the premiere in January. It registered just a 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 1.487 million viewers. The second episode dropped to a 0.4 rating and 0.92 million viewers. The season has averaged a 0.4 in the demo and 0.88 million.
To no surprise, FX isn’t ordering a second season of Lights Out. The cable channel made the announcement today and indicated that the final two episodes will air as previously scheduled; on March 29th and April 5th at 10pm.
What do you think? Are you sorry to see Lights Out cancelled? Why do you think it didn’t catch on?
Image courtesy FX.
I am really sorry to hear that Lights Out was cancelled. The commercials should have been run differently to attract more people to the show. It was not ONLY about boxing and I think this was not conveyed up front. EVERYONE played their part very well, especially Holt McCallany, Catherine McCormack and Bill Irwin. I was so looking forward to Season two and beyond. I think they should rethink their decision to end this show and shame on the marketing crew not the cast!
Fx what the hell dudes???
i think they are failing to advertise their shows in a sufficient manner. Damages, Terriers and now Lights Leary. I mean those are relatively strong tv shows. I believe FX are being sabotaged from the inside and need to cop on. REALLY want to wake up FX are else thou shalt go into receivership
Meh. They should have kept Terriers
It was one of the best dramas I’ve seen on TV. I’m really disapointed ! I wish there was a way to save this excellent series .
I was really into this show. I absolutely loved where it was going and was really excited for a season two. I’m upset that FX has decided to cancel one of my favorite new shows. I can only hope that they eventually bring it back.
@Jeff you sound like someone who hasn’t watch a single second of this show otherwise you wouldn’t be comparing it to reality shows. @the Author: I think you can chalk this up to the log line of the show. That ‘aging boxer looking for one more shot’ thing is such a PLAYED out idea (especially when it’s an Irish boxer, I mean, there was a good 20 year stretch in the 1930’s and 40’s where 10 of these kinda films were coming out a year along with books and magazine serializations. ) The show is about so much more and… Read more »
I am really sad to see this new show go. I did not miss an episode. I don’t think the network did a good enough job advertising and marketing the show initially. They tried towards the middle and end and word of mouth was not good enough to let it catch fire. Lights Out made my tuesday nights special just as S.O.A. does!!
It’s too bad; this show was fairly good from what I saw of it. After I missed some episodes, I decided to wait to catch up after word of renewal/cancelation was heard. I guess I don’t have to catch up now. I basically have watched every FX show of the past 6 years (excluding The Shield because it was only about 11 when it started), but I am getting aggravated by the way it’s being run lately. It resembles a broadcast network, with the way it is so merciless with shows. First Damages in early 2010, Terries in summer 2010… Read more »
I really enjoyed the show for it’s story line and great acting, especially from Stacy Keach. It was more than just boxing per se. My only negative view on the show is that it needed a little more romance – I know, just like a woman to say that but consider this: a big beautiful man in “lights” Leary, a king size bed, sweat, pent up energy and NO ACTION?!
I just hope FX and the writers resolve the story line with a great fight and a finally a hot, steamy sex scene!
I love Lights Out, but FX placed it opposite Good Wife, Southland, Parenthood, Caprica. God forbid I was not home on a Tues night, and thank god several cable networks re-aired their shows at 11pm or midnight.
That’s too bad, really enjoyed the show.
How can we get this show back wtf! Its the only show I watch
I’m really sad that they are cancelling lights out!! It was a really good show!!
i think it’s wonderful news. people who watch reality shows are already fairly ignorant…. and shows about boxing would attract the dumbest of the dumb. this may be a sign that the nation is evolving at a decent pace. i hope this is proof to the producers to not even ATTEMPT another shot at a boxing show. you really have to be a giant idiot to have this program on your “i wanna watch” list.
its not a reality show
best new show LOVED IT