Tuesday night, FOX debuted a new drama for the Summer months, Mental. So, did the premiere’s ratings make the network crazy-happy or just drive them crazy?
Mental revolves around an unorthodox psychiatrist who becomes the Director of Mental Health at a fictional Los Angeles hospital. Created by Dan LeVine and co-executive produced by his sister, Deborah Joy LeVine, the series stars Chris Vance, Annabella Sciorra, Derek Webster, Jacqueline McKenzie, Marisa Ramirez, Nicholas Gonzalez, and Edwin Hodge.
The series premiered on Tuesday night and finished in third place for the 9pm hour with 5.8 million viewers and a 2.1/5 rating/share among the 18-49 demographic.
Those numbers aren’t that impressive but the drama did build on its lead-in, a rerun of the popular and very compatible House. There was also very little drop off between Mental’s first and second half hours, indicating that most watched the entire episode.
So, while Mental didn’t have a great debut, it wasn’t bad either. As we enter into the Summer months, viewership tends to fall off so the network may be okay with these numbers. But, will people return for subsequent installments? Will FOX give the show a second season once all 13 episodes have aired? We’ll have to wait and see.
So, what did you think? Is the show worth keeping or should it be cancelled?
Image courtesy FOX.
I’ve watched all 13 episodes, with a morbid fascination — similar to what I might feel watching a person stand on the ledge of a tall building and wondering if they would jump. By the 12th episode, I can’t say I cared any more. Too formulaic. The writing is stale. The characters are simplistic and stereotypical. The writers stray too far from the reality of how a psych ward is really run. This show falls short when it tries to be touching or profound; falters when it attempts humor; flounders when it reaches for clinical accuracy. I must say, for… Read more »
I have enjoyed this show immensely…not much new concept in shows o rmovies lately..this one was refreshing..love watching Jack’s approach with patients and staff..please don’t cancel it!
Keep it!! Saw the last 7 or 8 episodes on Hulu. Haven’t even figured out when it airs yet and already it might be canceled?? Heck no, it won’t go!
Please keep Mental going! I have so enjoyed this show. I loved the season finale and cannot wait to see where Jack ends up. My family is very affected by mental illness and quite honestly I was a little nervous when I first started watching. However I find the show charming, funny, and hope inspiring.
There is so little programming on television now that is worthwhile. MENTAL is certainly a refreshing surprise. Inightful and very well done. This show discuses a topic about which most of us know very little. Brain disorders are very real medical conditions touching many families. The scripts are original and every aspect of the show is well done. After each episode, the viewer is wiser and better informed about an illness that touches millions of people. This show will NOT qualify for the dumbing down of America. We hope there are sixteen more spisodes in the works. This was a… Read more »
yes they should keep~ i’m a huge fan and i have always been interested in psyhchiatric disorders and to have a show like this is a great thing~ i have to go to school this summer but i always make time to watch the latest episodes!
Please keep it, I was so drawn in by it. I think it is such an incredible show and I hate to see the shows I love constantly get cancelled. Watching Life get dumped was bad enough without facing this one being lost too. Please please please give it a second season and give it a chance at a good satisfying conclusion!
I really like this show. It’s very fun to watch and interesting to learn about some of the mental conditions that exist. The characters are very interesting!
Please keep the show Mental people need to be aware that many of these issues the show touches upon are in society. Someone around you closer than you think may be affected. I love the healing of someone so down and out. Plus the touch of humor here and there helps too. Again please keep the show!
Keep it! Keep it! Keep it!
Great show, great script, great characters. Do not kill it off yet. It’s getting better by the episode. It’s very promissen. And Chris Vance’s doing an amazing job.
My wife and I watch “Mental” every week. It has a rare uniqueness about it that appeals to our intelligence. The show is thought provoking, emotional, and non-stereotypical. I know all decisions eventually are financially determined, but putting that consideration aside, we would request that Fox do all it can to retain this fine show for its appreciative audience. We are hopeful that its audience will grow.
KEEP IT! We look forward each week to seeing it!
Please continue Mental. It is a very believable show dealing with the area of mental illness. Please don’t banish Jack to t.v. purgatory.
PLS KEEP IT!!!…..I AM IN THE MIDDLE EAST!!!….THEY JUS STRTED SHOWING IT!!…ITS AMAZING!!!….ITS THE ONLY SHOW I WATCH!! (aftr prison break ended)…MENTAL HAS WORLDWIDE FANS…IT WILL BE A GREAT DISSAPOINTMENT TO ALOT OF PEOPLE IF ITS CANCELLED!!!
Leave this show alone! It’s really a good show. At least it lets the gray matter in our brains work a little. I’m sick of cartoon shows and reality shows. Keep this show
on the air.