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.
Great show! Don’t pull a boner like NBC did with My Own Worst Enemy. We hardly watch NBC any more because of that.
As far as originality, this show is lacking. Sure they can take the viewer to places that House couldnt because of the whole “inside the mind” aspect, but really this isnt any kind of breakthrough drama. Its clearly modelled on the success of house, and expanding here and changing a little there. I really dont like it when a show isnt its own original thought, but instead a ploy for more ratings by giving people the same old oatmeal packaged with a new twist. Its lazy and uninspired. The two junior doctors have a relationship thats supposed to take a… Read more »
I agree with everyone….I thought Mental kept getting better and better. The chemistry among the actors was believable and, thankfully, Jack is the exact opposite of Hugh Laurie’s character in House. I can’t even watch House without wanting to punch House in the face at least ten times..
It would be nice to have someone in one of the starring roles in either to be over 30, though. Definitely renew Metal.
D
KEEP!!
this show must continue.I believe it can be better in the next season.I wil really miss it
An old lady like me WANTS to keep up with different topics so
please KEEP the Mental TV series.
PLEASE DON’T CANCEL!!! As a sophmore in college studying Psychology I find this show absolutly brilliant. The way the mental disorders that have always amazed me are portrayed brilliantly as well as correct. It’s so nice to actually see that take and concept to be put into a drama. Lately they’ve gotten dumb, and frankly Mental always seems to have new surprises unlike House, which it has been compared to a good deal, house has the same plot over and over someone has a rare case, no one knows what to do, they try something it’s wrong, then house gets… Read more »
Please keep it! I am extremely curious where the show will go since Jack has been fired. I just hope we get to find out.
Keep the show going! I have truly enjoyed tuning in every week.
I love this show. I have just watched the finale. It seems that it was
created to only run one season…Fox has canceled some great
shows in the recent past. I hope they keep this one.
Please don’t cancel this show. The show has a perfect chemistry of the cast members. It was perfectly cast w/interesting actors/actresses. It’s intelligently written w/a similarity to ‘House’ that I love. With a different twist of the ‘Mental’ health angle that is not on television. Everyone knows the only shows ‘making it’ prime time on the Big 4 TV networks are Cop/Criminal/Murder Investigation shows, Medical/Hospital shows, Reality shows, or Sitcoms [ & you know know why. 2 things peak interest of the ‘Gossip-Mag. eating Main Stream Public : 1. Death, 2. You could be a Star] ~~~LOST Series, & creators… Read more »
Mental is dead on regarding both the treatment of mental illness AND the politics that goes on in hospitals. Don’t know where you go after that season finale, but I’d love to see Jack wade back in and clobber Dr. Bell (whose brothers in ego and corruption I have known in this business all to well).
Tom
I really have enjoyed this very different tv series. It’s been very entertaining and refreshing during the long summer without good programming. KEEP IT
I love this show. Please keep it.
Mental is exceptional – love the character of Jack… and the case studies… please keep this show on the lineup.