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.
Please keep both Mercy and Trauma!!! They are the best shows on T.V. right now. I never miss an episode.
please keep this show, My husband and I never miss an episode. the best show on tv
Please probably arn’t watching it much, because new shows aren’t all every week. If new epsiodes showed each week people would tune in each week.
Mercy is the absolute best new show of the season. The 8pm time slot is probably what is killing it. I really hope it comes back for another season
Mercy is AWESOME! There just happens to be a ton of great shows on right now. Please don’t cancel it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If NBC would promote Mercy more, and MOVE IT TO 9PM instead of having it on at 8pm, I think it would do much better. And if they can’t see the star power of Taylor Schilling, shame on them. This show is one of my favorites, mostly due to Schilling, and I love that the show has grown immensely (creatively speaking) since its inception. Please keep it on! It is truly a show worth keeping!
I love Mercy!! It would be a shame if it was cancelled…besides the Office, it’s the only NBC show I watch!!
Get rid of Chris and maybe the ratings will go up. Ronni belongs with Mike.
I look forward to this show EVERY single week! If others would give this show a chance and actually WATCH it, they will be blown away! the story is great and the actors are so real, they are what make this show so darn good!
Please do not cancel this show, it deserves a chance!!!!!!!!!!
Please do not cancel Mercy! It is my most favorite show! I would be lost~
Please don’t cancel mercy!!!!!!!!!!!! I am a nurse and LOVE it!
I love the show! Keep it please NBC, it’s not like they have anything better to replace it with!
PLEASE DONT CANCEL MERCY!!!
please please do not cancel mercy or trauma!!!!!!!!!!! i look forward every week to watch my shows and most of the time i have to tevo them because i’m getting my kids to sleep so i can’t always watch them live. i’m a stay at home mom and used to be a nurse so i understand what they are saying an doing. SO PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THESE SHOWS!!!
Mercy is awesome! As a former Captain in the Army Reserve Nurse Corps, I am glad that there is a portrayal of military nurses on TV. If NBC cancels Mercy, it will insure their place in the eyes of ma ny as total morons! NBC: KEEP MERCY! IT”S MY FAVORITE SHOW!