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.
Hi please don’t get rif of this show I love it. I am in the medical field and I know this show is good stuff. It doesn’t make the medical field look bad or good. It shows all sides of the medical field. Please done get rid of it been waiting 2 see what happend. Please
Please don’t cancel MERCY I love this show.
DON’T CANCEL MERCY!!! I LOVE THIS SHOW AND HAVE BEEN DYING TO SEE THE 2ND SEASON!!!
Please, please, please do not cancel this show!!!!
I loved Mercy. I felt as though it wasn’t all about personal lives but they showed how nurses and doctors can really feel about their patients. My personal opinon, it is way better than Grey’s Anatomy! Please bring it back!
I LOVE Mercy! I sure do hope that the show is not cancelled…
I love Mercy!!!!
Aloha, PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW!!! I’ve been waiting ALL summer for the new season and now I’m seeing that it’s being cancelled. It’s one of my favorite shows, you have to give it more than one season to get a drama series to take off! Medical dramas are a huge hit right now and Mercy has a cast that will take it to the top. I’m begging you NBC, please bring it back! My wednsday won’t be the same without Mercy followed by Law n Oder-SVU. Seriously don’t make a huge mistake by stopping this show. Mahalo… Read more »
Mercy was one of the most real show’s I have seen in a while. I told everyone I know about it. Please bring it back. I really loved this show
Mercy, is a great show, please don’t cancel. My husband and I couldn’t wait for the next season.
I believe your crazy for letting Mercy and Trama go. The way you have lined up the new shows for the 2010-2011 you will need to cancel the network. The ones I’ve seen so far suck. Makes me frightened to see any others.
I absolutly am in love with Mercy! I am going crazy waiting to know when it will air again. I also really enjoy Trauma as well. Why is it that they get people interested in a good show and due to back programming scheduling….people like us have to suffer once we get hooked on a show? Bring them back!!! Don’t cancel this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please don’t cancel. Good stuff.
Mercy was one of my favorite new shows last year 🙁 I am so sad to see it go. Please bring it back.
I have been waiting all summer for Mercy to come back. Please don’t say it is cancelled!!!