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?
Like the show and hope it stays for another round. Reminds me of West Wing.
Keep Madam Secretary and do not cancel. I like the show very much!
I am a 57 year old female and watch very little TV. For some reason, this caught my interest when it was first advertised and now I am hooked. It has intelligent writing and her family life seems realistic! Tea Leoni is believable as a political figure. Morgan Freeman is one of the producers! It deserves a chance!
We really love this show. It is well written & well acted. Love that a strong woman is in charge & deals with real events that we see in the news. Please keep in on!!!
I had thought she might be Hillary in disguise, too. But Tia Leoni does less backside covering and more taking action. I haven’t heard her say, “What difference does it make now?” so far.
KEEP IT….Clinton commercial??? I think not. I like any show that portrays women in an intelligent way.
cancel! I agree with JR Jansen. I know Hillary was “dead broke” but to have a tv show promoting her is disgusting. If it wasn’t meant to be about/for her, it sure fooled all of us! A thinly veiled Hillary commercial…right on JR.!
I honestly do not like
the Clinton’s. So don’t hate on me for my opinion. I like the acting and the storyline so far. js
Keep it, even those on the hill will demand it be canceled. This hit doesn’t need innovative writers, all they need is a subscription to the Washington News. Hard hitting, tough decisions, and just want the people want, REAL drama based shows †
There is no way in Hades that this 77year old disabled senior citizen could ever want this fine TV Show Madame Secretary to be cancelled since after all Tea is much much easier to look at then that beat up ugly old has been Hillbilly Hilly Clinton! And clearly more intelligent then Old Silly Hilly Clinton as well!
I am enjoying the show so far. Beth deals with tragedies in a humane way. Please renew for another season.
love it
This show is unwatchable. The writing is so trite, even the commercials are annoying. There isn’t 30 seconds worth of clips that can make this travesty seem watchable.
Just watching a commercial for this show is torture for me. Will never watch this. I have a feeling I’m not alone in my sentiment. I see little chance for an uptick in ratings.
I like it too
Nothing but a thinly-veiled Hillary Clinton commercial.
Absolutely love Madam Secretary! It does not feel like a political show at all. It is very exciting and empowering and has edge of your seat action in terms of the crisis situations she has dealt with so far.
While I truly don’t think this show is meant to be the Hillary propaganda that people are claiming it to be, I’m equally disturbed by people saying this show doesn’t feel political at all. It’s a show about the Secretary of State. It can and should be political and the absence of political conflict constitutes a failure on the part of the writers. Toeing the party line, playing up international crises and skirting around any and all bi-partisan issues is the height of cowardice. You want to make a show about a powerful woman who can also have a family,… Read more »