After Monday’s disastrous debut of Lone Star, there has been talk that FOX might scrap the series after just one episode. Now, it looks like that won’t happen.
In Lone Star, Robert Allen (James Wolk), is leading a double life so that he and his father can pull off cons both big and small. Things get especially complicated when Robert feels personally connected to his marks and starts to regret what he’s doing. Others in the series are Jon Voight, Adrianne Palicki, Bryce Johnson, David Keith, Eloise Mumford, and Mark Deklin.
The show premiered to a terrible 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and just 4.1 million viewers. It ranked a distant fourth in both categories and lost 69% of House’s lead-in audience in the demo.
Network execs are understandably confused by the series’ lack of viewers. After all, they gave the show a great lead-in, lots of promotion, and have a handsome and likable lead actor. FOX execs and many critics really like it too. The Washington Post called Lone Star “better than almost anything new this season,” while the New York Times said the show is “clever” and “endearing.”
According to NYMag, FOX isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. Lone Star is still in production, with the cast and crew working on episode six. FOX will keep the show on the air at least until this Monday. Their hope is that it will make some connection with viewers now that they’ve had a chance to sample the shows on the other networks.
At this point, any positive growth might be enough reason for them to keep it on the air another week. Unfortunately, they won’t see the DVR ratings for a couple weeks. Given the tough competition of the night, many people very likely recorded Lone Star to watch later.
Any way you look at it, the Lone Star’s ratings would have to come up a lot for it to be considered a moderate success. Even those that tuned in for the premiere may not bother to return, having already heard that the show is cancelled.
What do you think? Is Lone Star worth saving? Will you tune in, even though there’s a good chance it’ll be cancelled?
Image courtesy FOX.
KEEP IT!!!!!!!!!! it looks so good! people are too greedy for a huge debut.many shows have done great that don’t have stellar ratings..don’t let this show fall to the wayside..it looks so interesting! keep it keep it keep it!
I recorded the show also, so I could watch Dancing with the Stars. I thought the show started off a little slow, but then I got into it. I am hoping it will be the next “Dallas”. I miss that show and hope this one will do well. Give it a chance. One showing is not enough to know if it will succeed. If DWTS starts to get boring, more people are likely to come over to Lonestar and watch.
Lone Star looked like a great new show.Great actors.For heaven’s sake.give it a chance!!
this show is the best don’t get rid of lone star
Fox would be nuts to cancel the best new show I have seen on TV since “Mad Men” debuted. Just move it away from a time slot where it is competing with “Dancing With the Stars” and it will find an audience. This show has appealing stars and a great story line. If Fox’s advertisers are looking for educated, affluent audience, Lone Star is the ticket.
I haven’t seen Lonestar yet, did tape it. I am from Boston, Fox25 is reairing the pilot Saturday night at 11pm. Tough night to show this series on. What ever happened to shows on Saturday nights? T.J. Hooker used to air on Saturday nights, give it a try.
I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but I was so angry about the cancellation, I cried! I love this show and was looking forward to a nice long run with it. Fox has its head so far up its behind! Why would they schedule an un-tried show against Dancing With the Stars and 2-1/2 Men? Get a few folks attention, THEN try it somewhere, after it’s established its footing, or wait a year. Good grief!!! They did the same thing with The Good Guys, this summer. Love the show! Then when their new show didn’t do well while everyone… Read more »
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I recorded “Lone Star” and just started watching it tonight.
I watched Dancing With the Stars Monday.
It seems like a enjoyable show, Give it a chance Fox.
Don’t cancel LoneStar. The story line is great, the cast is fantastic and full of wonderful newcomers. Keep an eye on James and Elie – if not in Lonestar – they will hit it big…and then what woud Fox have to say for themselves…?
This show was a welcome relief from your typical sitcoms. The twists in the plot kept us guessing and the lead character is HOT! A con man/bigamist who is not only likable, but has a conscience?? What a great story line! Give this well-crafted show an opportunity! It deserves a chance!
The pilot of Lone Star was great. It is about time that we see some out of the box thinking and writing. While I enjoy reality television it is great to see something different. Give it some time. Many shows have not done well there freshman season only to be hits down the road.
Be reasonable, for heaven’s sake ! ONE episode ?! The show is fabulous. Haven’t you guys learned your lesson with FIREFLY, BRISCO COUNTY, and the great KEEN EDDIE ? FOX’s big problem is no 10 o’clock hour. That’s where Lone Star would thrive. But, face it, FOX, your biggest audience for this great show is going to DVR it. It’s that simple. I already have and watched at my leisure the next day. That’s why Nielsen ratings are SO outdated and never tale into account that shows have these great audiences but just can’t watch at your ridiculous times. Keep… Read more »
Keep it for now please. The pilot was decent, but give it some time to grwo. Or don’t. I mean after the last few seasons where networks have canceled show way prematurely, I’m more than ready to start losing a few. I mean not all shows are called Law & Order or American idol. But honestly Fox, if your gonna do it, then just do it. Don’t give us false hope.
Lone Star is a great show and the pilot episode was amazing. Fox can’t cancel it. It has a lot of potential to be a great show and it has a great story to it. And viewers? 4 MILLION people watched the pilot. So what if that’s not as high as some other shows? Not everyone can sit and watch a TV and not everyone has a DVR. It does have competition, but 4 million is a big number.