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.
I work as a cop in urban NJ and I have to say that “Mercy” does agreat job in portraying that aspect of “the greatest show on earth” both in the characters/performances and in the setting/story. As much as I love to hear “Flanagan Down!” I would for it to actually happen.
Team Mike
Team Briggs
Team Briggs too, he´s so amazing.
I just came across Mercy recently and I really love it. At first glance I thought, “…oh no, not another medical show…”, but once I watched I realized how great this show is. The characters are great, particularly Veronica. Watching her character trying to put the pieces back together after returning from the war keeps me coming back to watch more and more. I enjoy all the characters and I think the actors do a great job. Trauma has not been able to bring me in like Mercy…I would love to see a second season of Mercy!
The show is great. I am an “older” fan. I used to watch Rescue 8 and all the old Medical shows in the dark ages. Seriously, this is realistic. It shows that the medical workers have lives just like anyone else. It gets you to know the players and see that they are not just doctors, nurses, or paramedics, but that they are human like the rest of us. The stories are just getting good now. I cant wait to see the next episode. I hope they decided to keep both Mercy and Trauma!
People couldn’t keep up with the show when you put it on one week and than its doesn’t come back on til 2-3 weeks later. Maybe that’s why the ratings dropped…..
I love Mercy and Trauma!
i love mercy its my favorite show! and trauma is my second favorite i have seen every episope of both! i would be really upset if they cancelled. those are the only shows i like on NBC!
Sorry for all the typos! I’m trying to find out if it is already canceled. Does anyone know anything definite? They film the home scenes right down the block from where I live. I pass the house every day. Love, love, love the show.
@Lynn: NBC has not officially cancelled it yet.
Maybe the ratings are effected negatively is because it is not on in consecutive weeks and people get tired of waiting for a new episode. I remember when TV show were on for a full season everyweek. Now we have to wonder if the episode we are looking forward to is new or repeat. I personally don’t like watching repeats. All reruns were in the summber. I love the show I think all shows would fair better if the networkds stop fooling around with schedules and play the episodes consecutively.
Lynn I agree with you completely. I watch Fringe. It was off for 3 months. Every once in a while they threw in a rerun (same with the Supernatural and Vampire Diaries). Anyway, when they came back a month or 2 ago, I naturally thought it was the beginning of Season 3. My brother saw Season 1 and couldnt understand why Season 2 was never released to DVD. I have been recording what I thought was Season 3 to give him, but last night I find we are still in Season 2. They are so confusing as to what they… Read more »
Mercy and Trauma are two of my favorite shows. Why do they cancel all the good stuff?
Every time a good show comes on, they get you involved, and then cancel it. These two shows are more realistic than all the junky “reality TV”. What a shame it would be to lose them.
The problem is they arent on every week 🙁 they take breaks ALL the time! i love this show though! i always tried to get into ER but i never could, but this show on the other hand i tell everyone about! I even got my mom to watch!! I love it, please dont cancle! you need to put it on EVERY week!!!
I love Mercy and I think it has real life issues within its storyline. Where Grey’s and Practice is all about who is ******** who, I find Mercy refreshing. I really hope it stays around, I find it very entertaining!
Mercy is a wonderful show, with great potential i mean in all ways ratings, storylines, character development, its got everything a show needs to get not just audience but a real fan base. Trauma not so likely. Trauma waited too long give its characters an actual arc which means no one can really relate much. Mercy is perfect because it deals with a lot of vital issues going on right now- for instance the war, veterans coming back with ptsd i think alot people have met or know someone with ptsd. Veronica is one of those characters that really sticks… Read more »
Mercy is the only show I like to watch on NBC. They just need to move the show to a different day. Either way, if I miss it, I recap online. Please don’t cancel!
I love Mercy! I think that they just need to push it to all the new ladies out there going to school for nursing. I’m a college student and it seems that one out of every three people I talk to is going to be a nurse. Pull them in and you’ve got some serious ratings boosts.
Are you serious?? No way should Mercy be cancelled!! I absolutely love Mercy. It is one of the best shows on.
I love Mercy and Trauma! Mercy more than trauma, but it would suck if they cancelled the show!