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?
In my opinion, a political show like this should be accurate(at least to some extent). There’s no such thing as “the republic of West Africa”. At least pick one county and write on/arround don’t. Also the medical reference-eg, Schistosomiasis is an African worm disease of the skin is so inaccurate. Its not Ok to assume that ur entire audience are a bunch of uninformed people. They need to step things up, do some research, let your show have some quality content. To me the writers are falling short…..do some proper research and givee us something good to watch, God knows… Read more »
I like this show. I never watch it live because I don’t have cable and watch it t next day.
I live this show. Topics are up to date and the who dunit twist will slowly unravel as the series progresses. The show does have a “West Wing” flavor with each character having independent agenda’s that seem to mesh very well and would provide many interesting story lines . I always thought that was the strength of “West Wing” and hopefully “Madam Secretary” will follow suit .
Love the show……You should get it off Sunday night because it is constantly having a late start and if you do not record the show after it you lose a good portion of the show.
How do you expect a show to be successful during football season, especially when it never starts on time? I really enjoy this show and have it scheduled to DVR due to my work schedule, however, I always have to watch it off the cbs website due to it never running on time due to football.
Gave this show a couple of tries but just didn’t like. If anymore of the Obama cronies show up on Good Wife, I’ll be done with that too.
Worst show ever! I always catch the last 5 minutes, because I tune in to the good wife regularly and there always seems to be a delay due to football. Every episode seems to end with the protagonist making come weak speech about how whichever powerful man she’s dealing with needs to respect her and talk to her appropriately and pay attention, blah blah, as if she’s speaking for impotent housewives everywhere and any woman could ever wind up as Secretary of State without everyone knowing full well how consequential she was and how deep her political support and alliances… Read more »
Good show like how she is firm when necessary
But always calm
Forget Hilllery. She c couldn’t compete with what this show is doing. Don’t cancel¡¡¡¡¡
Great show. Don’t cancel. Eeveryone I know love’s it
Do not cancel. If you do it probably political. She is actually more like a Secretary of State should be. Not like the real one in the White House!!
I
I really enjoy this show. It goes beyond a Hilary reference. It is a smart show with a strong woman character. It reminds me of The West Wing which I enjoyed immensely. I had to double check the writing staff. It is my hope that the network will give this show a healthy chance. There are so few intelligent shows on anymore. The casting is perfect and I find the stories to be relevant and well done. I look forward to the further development of this series.
Your comments were right on target, Mary. I do enjoy this intelligent show quite a bit. It is refreshing with so many other non-thinking, constant action shows out there. It is sad some critics can’t get beyond political ideology to just enjoy the series. Tea’s character depicts a woman who is intelligent, principled and forceful and yet respectful and sensitive. You can’t get much better than that. I hope CBS recognizes they have a good show and continues to support it. I wish the show had a better time slot. Football game over runs just aren’t fair to the show.
Normally I am a big fan of Tea Leoni and would be willing to watch and give this show a fair chance. But after watching CBS crucify Sarah Palin and her family while at the same time treating Democrat politicians as brilliant political heroes. I can’t help but feel that this is a vailed attempt at convincing uninformed voters that Hilary Clinton was this tough brilliant secretary of state worthy of their vote in 2016. When in fact she and President Obama have presided over this great country’s worst foreign policy, ever! Sorry Tea, wrong timing! Will be canceled!
Great post, see my reply to FormCritic. Thanks
*casting*
Yes, we know Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. Yes, we know she is running for president. We got it.
This attempt to remake Hillary by caster her as a more attractive actress is too transparent.
Cancel this thing.
FormCritic, I understand what you are saying. I do enjoy the program. But the worry is that ‘low information voters’ will confuse what this TV Sec. of State accomplishes verses what Hillary accomplished……. NOTHING. Except ignoring requests for more support in Benghazi. BTW have you seen the clips of a ‘reporter’ asking a grouped people gathered to support Hillary. The reporter asks them to name one thing Hillary accomplished. No joke but not one of them could state one thing. Then one of them jokingly says ‘well she racked up a lot of frequent flier miles’ and they all laughed.… Read more »