In July, production on NBC’s Parenthood was delayed due to Maura Tierney becoming ill. She eventually had to drop out of the project and Lauren Graham stepped in.
Because of the backstage issues, NBC delayed Parenthood’s Fall premiere and replaced it with a series that was scheduled for midseason, Mercy. Some wondered if having two new medical series might cause one to suffer. It turns out, Mercy and Trauma are both in critical condition.
Mercy follows the lives of three very different nurses at Mercy Hospital in Jersey City. The cast includes Taylor Schilling, Jaime Lee Kirchner, Michelle Trachtenberg, James Tupper, Diego Klattenhoff, Guillermo Diaz, James LeGros, James Van Der Beek, and Delroy Lindo.
The series got off to a mediocre start on September 23, 2009. The premiere attracted a 2.3 rating in the all-important 18-49 demographic and 8.25 million total viewers. That put the debut in fourth place for the demo and in second place for total viewers.
The second episode fell to a 2.1 rating and 7.35 million. The third installment dropped again to a 1.8 rating in the demo and 7.29 million viewers. Not good.
Though the show’s ratings could hardly be called strong, NBC gave Mercy a full season order in October. The rest of the network’s schedule was performing poorly and the order likely had most to do with the fact that NBC just needed original programming. It didn’t hurt that the series is a co-production of NBC’s corporate sister, Universal Media Studios.
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Meanwhile, Trauma struggled from the very beginning and NBC pulled the plug after 13 episodes. But then, based on the need for more programming, the network ordered seven more installments. That show returns on March 8th but is a big longshot for renewal.
While Mercy was initially the better performer, the show’s ratings have now reached Trauma-like levels. The most recent episode of Mercy hit a series low with a dismal 1.4 rating in the demo and just 5.86 million viewers.
NBC’s Primetime Entertainment President Angela Bromstad recently said that she still loves the drama creatively, but she also noted that the show’s ratings need to rise for it to survive. She made that statement before Mercy fell to its most recent low.
The network has commissioned 18 pilots for the 2010-11 season and Bromstad has acknowledged that they’ll have to essentially rebuild their schedule from scratch.
With the ratings as poor as they are, it’s highly likely that Mercy will be cancelled and won’t survive to see a second year.
What do you think? Would you be sorry to see Mercy cancelled? Is it worth watching? Is there a reason that more viewers aren’t tuning in?
Image courtesy NBC.
One of the few shows I watch on the big 3, ABC, NBC and CBS. It needs to be given a chance.
Please do not cancel Mercy! It is such a good show, and I look forward to Weds nights. I will watch that show over American Idol!!!!!!!!! Please give it a second shot. Get some different writers in there and give it a chance PLEASE!!!!!!!!
It’s a good series with lots of potential. Give it another year & don’t be so quick to cancel.
My husband & I look forward to Mercy every Wed. night. Can’t stand the reality shows that have been so prominent. We’re in the “older” viewer age but this should appeal to a wide demographic. Spend a lot of time watching MSNBC but also love House, Criminal Minds (both) & CSI. Was there with the 1st E.R. but now Mercy was our only hospital show. Give it some great advertising & another chance!
I love Mercy and I just hope NBC doesn’t jump the gun and cancel it. NBC needs whatever good dramas they haveand Mercy is one of them.
Keep Mercy on the schedule please.
I didn’t start watching Mercy until the 18th episode. I was told I should watch and downloaded the season. I now love the show and have been keeping up with it and recording it since. I think Mercy is great and that it just needs some more time to spread the word.
I was skeptical at first but once I watched I was hooked. I think this is a great medical show for NBC and it would be such a shame if it was canceled!
Mercy is one of my faveorite shows!! I have seen it from the beggining and i have watched it and I have been following it for every week!! when i saw it wasnt on one night and then it wasnt on the next week i was dissopointed because i follow it every week. It would be a shame if it goes off the air. Please Keep it ON!
please don’t take mercy off the air . it is a great show
Mercy is a wonderful show!! We all watch at my hospital’s breakroom when we can. Please keep it going!
Please do not cancel Mercy. It is one of two shows I look forward to each week. If it gets canceled, I will resort to watching the good programming on A & E.
I love Mercy! It’s the only show that I actually look forward to watching!
Such a great show, really hope they do not cancel it. I have watched it all online in England, think people would really like it over here!
I started watching Mercy after it had been on the air 6 weeks. One day I was bored out of my skull and watched the 1 episode online… I could not move from the PC until I had caught up with all of them and now watch it every week. Great show, I hope they do not cancel it.
I never watched Trauma but I follow Mercy every week. I think it would be a shame to cancel that show. It is definitely worth saving.