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 can’t believe they canceled Mercy! It was an amazing show with humor and sarcasm and drama…I was looking forward to it starting back up again. It sucks that it’s not. I think they should really rethink this decision.
I loved this show too and the finale was such a cliff hanger! How can the not bring it back?!!! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THIS SHOW!!!!!!!
If any of you connected with the networks etc ever bother to read these, WAKE UP Did you read what people have to say about it? I just reread all of the comments left on here. You put out a good show and burn your tails by not listening!
I didn’t know this was a series until I ran into it on NETFLIX. The computer at least for now is all the TV I have. I watch a lot of things including a good many series etc. I was elated to find a program like MERCY. It has everything in it, the j0y of living as well as the hard times. It has made me laugh like crazy and cry my eyes out. Not many shows have that effect on me. I am recovering from heart surgery that I had a few yrs ago that went bad, actually it… Read more »
Yes, this show is taut, well-written and shows us fully realized characters. I hope it doesn’t get lost in the wave of new clones of Heroes and Lost. Please give it a chance to find an audience; it will reward your faith.
I cannot believe they would cancel this show. I have been anxiously waiting for the new season. I love it because it is different from other shows, like the idiotic reality shows they have on!! Bring Mercy Back!!
OH NO!!!!! i love show i will be soo UPSET if this show ends!
I’ve been waiting for this show to make a re-appearance since it ended last season. I really enjoy the show, (much better than soap-operas) and will be sad to see it cancel.
I love this show and am anxiously awaiting its return!
Please tell me its coming back.
I will be DEVASTATED!! if mercy is cancelled. the show brings in a new look into the medical field with ronnie’s issues from the war and takes a look on the war in a different way. rather then everyone arguing about the war it shows how it affected peoples lives. PLUS you cannot leave an ending like that. also reality TV is taking over and this is one of the FEW dramas that entertains me!
I LOVE this show, I will be so upset if it does not return. I am so TIRED of reality T.V
I love this show so much. What’s the deal? Just when I get invested in it and they’re talking about cancelling it.
I LOVEEE this show i really wish it would come back!!!! i mean the way it ended you have to find out what happens!!
ARE YOU KIDDING!!!! I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!
I can’t believe they are going to cancel Mercy! I have been so looking forward to it coming back! I’m highly dissapointed! 🙁
I loved this show!!! I looked forward to it coming back ever since I first saw it. Possibly my favorite show EVER.