Though politics are an extra touchy subject these days, CBS decided to order a new drama about a blonde, female Secretary of State — Madam Secretary. Some feel that it’s a thinly-veiled allusion to Hillary Clinton while others see the show as a piece of fiction. Either way, CBS is a corporation that makes money from selling advertising and must attract healthy ratings to do that. Is Madam Secretary a success with viewers? Will it survive? Cancel or keep it?
On Madam Secretary, former CIA analyst Elizabeth McCord (Tèa Leoni) returns to public life after being recruited by the President (Keith Carradine) to become the new Secretary of State. The rest of the cast includes Željko Ivanek, Bebe Neuwirth, Geoffrey Arend, Patina Miller, Erich Bergen, Tim Daly, Katherine Herzer, and Evan Roe.
The series debuted on September 21st to a mediocre 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 14.75 million viewers. Last week, Madam Secretary dropped 30% in the demo to a 1.4 rating and dropped 14% in viewership, to 12.72 million. Those aren’t very encouraging numbers for a new series and CBS was surely expecting a lot better.
Low-rated, The Good Wife brings the network some prestige but CBS needs more shows with better numbers.
If Madam Secretary’s ratings stay at this level or continue to decline (particulalry in the demo), this new show will be in very real danger of being cancelled. On the positive side, the network is likely to be patient — at least for awhile. The ratings could go up, especially if the show starts getting some positive word of mouth.
But, what do you think? Do you like Madam Secretary? Will you keep watching? Do you think it should be cancelled? Do you think that it should/will end up being renewed for a second season?
Please oh please keep the show! My 19 year old daughter now wants to go into politics and make a difference because of it. We watch it weekly and the minority representation on this show is superb! It’s really given my child something positive to aspire to because she can see herself in these roles
We love the show and watch it weekly.
we love the show and watch every one of them–please do not cancel
please do not cancel-we love the show and watch every show—
I’ve loved Madame Secretary from the very first episode! Tea Leoni as Madame Secretary is excellent in that role. I actually watch it every Sunday & also DVR it. I’m excited for the next epsiodes to start. It’s about time that networks start showing intelligent, smart women in major roles & Tea Leoni encapsulates that to perfection. Love the show, the stories, and the cast is fabulous. Please don’t cancel this series. I agree with everyone here, CBS needs to continue this show! You might want to change to night time spot though. Sunday’s not a good placement when it… Read more »
Love Madam Secretary!!! I make sure I can be available to watch it every Sunday night!! Unbelievable ending to the season! I didn’t want to see it end! When does the next season start?
CBS needs to continue this show. Too much schlock and nonsense in TV shows. Madame Secretary showcases an intelligent, rationally-thinking female lead, something the American public (both female and male) so desperately needs, and of which we have so few of in the entertainment industry!!
CBS should be commended for creating a show about an intelligent, strong, and rationally effected female lead. There’s simply too much schlock and nonsense in the TV show offerings–this show is refreshingly intelligent and brilliantly acted. It’s bravely presented discussions of real-world issues, couched in fictional specifics of course, is exactly what we need as American audiences–to be exposed to a much more educated and rational way of how the political process could and should be conducted. This female lead reminds me of the great and irrepressible Madeleine Albright, my personal heroine. Please tell your naysayer audience members to look… Read more »
Please keep madam-secretary on the air…………..
Please renew madam-secretary. It great show tea leoni is great as madam-secretary…._
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!! We need more shows like this. Tea Leoni is just superb at her role. For the first time we have a descent show without sex and crazy violence that really makes you think. CBS PLEASE don’t cancel this show.
I love Madam Secretary. It is my favorite drama on television right now. It is smart, suspenseful but also funny. Keep It.
I l;ove Madam Secretary please keep it on
MADAM SECRETARY SHOULD BE RE-NEWED -IT IS RELAVENT TO TODAY’S WORLD POLITIC, INTELLIGENTLY WRITTEN, GOOD ACTING, FINE ACTORS. DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE NBC DID WITH HARRY’S LAW. JUST BECAUSE IT DOES NOT FIT INTO THE 18-54 CATEGORY YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING FOR, DOES NOT MEAN IT SHOULD BE CANCELLED. THER IS SO MUCH CRAP ON NETWORK TV, THAT THIS IS A GOOD PIECE OF TV THANK YOU
I agree with Cindi!
What does it matter where Madam Secretary appears in the ratings? The only thing that matters is that it is a “quality” program with a superb cast. Some people wouldn’t recognize that because they’ve been looking at garbage for so long they don’t inow what quality programming is all about. For those of us that do we look forward to each and every episode of Madam Secretary and wish that it would NOT be preempted by award presentations and football games. Tuesday nights are a lousy night for tv viewing put Madam Secretary on then and watch your ratings soar.
Though I respect your opinion it is just that, “opinion”. You are entitled to it as I am mine. This show is a snooze fest and if it was put on Tuesday night instead of NCIS I would be upset. Any show is only as good as its ratings to the networks.
I agree. Very boring. Bratty kids she has. Silly story line about her husband cracking terrorism cases now.
Can’t stand the show, but in this era of mega-flops, it is rated about all of ABC, NBC and CW scripted shows…
Goes to show that mediocrity reigns supreme in Hollywood…