NBC debuted their new fantasy-adventure series, Merlin, last night. Did many people tune in to watch this new take on an old tale? Will it be allowed to run its course or has the magic tale failed to excite viewers?
Merlin stars Colin Morgan as a young sorcerer who arrives in Camelot, a city where magic has been outlawed by King Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head). While there, Merlin learns that he has an important part to play in the future of Camelot and residents like Prince Arthur (Bradley James), maid Guinevere (Angel Coulby), and seer Morgana (Katie McGrath). Others in the cast include Bionic Woman’s Michelle Ryan, Richard Wilson, and John Hurt as the voice of The Great Dragon.
Though many British shows have been remade for American audiences over the years, Merlin supposedly marks the first time a UK drama has aired on a major US network in over 30 years. But, how long will it last?
Last night, Merlin debuted to an average of just 5.35 million viewers for its two-hour premiere, putting it in second place behind CBS reruns. The supernatural show was also in second place for the 18-49 demographic with an average of a 1.4/4 rating/share.
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That performance certainly isn’t a magical one for the network and the ratings will very likely decline for subsequent installments. Considering that it’s Summer and that NBC hasn’t spent much money to acquire the series, it looks very likely that the network will air all 13 installments of this season.
While the show’s future on NBC isn’t certain, Merlin will continue on nevertheless. The series has been a hit for BBC One and they commissioned a second season last December. Production is expected to begin soon and will film on location in Wales and France. Unless ratings pick up, it seems doubtful that NBC will be buying it.
What do you think? Should Merlin be cancelled before season one even finishes? Will NBC make the second season available to network viewers? So, cancel or keep Merlin?
Image courtesy NBC.
As I have TiVo, I never watch commercials so sometimes I don’t find out about new shows. I discovered Merlin via hulu.com. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS! I look forward to NBC airing future eps. If it doesn’t get picked up, I’ll watch via DVD in the future. From what I’m reading, overall those of us in America don’t really like it. However, I’m glad that the Brits are enjoying it so that BBC will keep making new episodes.
It is an awesome series. Please don’t cancel it. Good Sci-Fi is hard to come by and this one definitely makes the cut. The cast is great, the special effects are spectacular and the storyline is superb.
Why cancel it? They’re already committed to playing the first 13 episodes and had nothing to do with producing it. They certainly would look stupid if they just said “eh never mind”. It’s a fun summer show, and will do well on DVD. If NBC gives up on it, it’ll just get picked up by BBC America or Sci-Fi and they’ll lose out. I don’t expect them to cancel the show, since we aren’t in a the midst of a season anyway. They might pass on Season 2, but then it’ll just show up on a cable channel. The big… Read more »
After watching the 1st 4 episodes, I’m looking forward to a dvd release with this great cast and story.
Keep it please don’t give up 🙁
I definitely don’t think they should cancel it. They need to remember that it is the summer and not really anyone watches shows over the summer. Ratings will hopefully pick up and they won’t cancel it!
NBC also owns the SciFi channel, so if they cancel it on NBC before running all 13 episodes, hopefully they’ll run the entire series on SciFi.
And while it might be the first time that a UK series has run on a “major” network in 30 years, but several UK series have run on NBC’s the SciFi channel over the last few years. Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures and most recently, Primeaval.
I think this show is amazing and I hope that NBC keeps it and acquires the second season.
I know a lot of people who simply didn’t know it had premiered that tuned in this Sunday.
Isn’t it a Brithish show? So… how can NBC cancel it? They can merely decide not to air it anymore…
I personally absolutely loved the show and can’t wait for more. I think it may be too early to call it on the numbers, though – the show started considerably later than its scheduled time thanks to a golf tournament that went over. I’m sure many people tuned out instead of waiting – I know of very few families that enjoy watching golf. I think it was a poor decision to delay the start of a premier show, but I also believe that with the additional enthusiasm for magic the new Harry Potter movie will undoubtedly provide, numbers should increase… Read more »
I have seen the entire series and loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, it would be very predictable that anything aimed at even normal intelligence would be cancelled, no wonder so many of us watch computer available shows instead of the mounds of regular crap on T.V. now.
I think T.V. has tremendous capacity to provide entertaining and smart programs but the almighty dollar always wins out.
I just checked this show out on my cable on demand service, I liked it. I hope NBC keeps it around.
SO MUCH BETTER than “Seeker”. Seeker started out awesomely, than the show seemed to suddenly turn into ‘medieval soft porn’ for nerds. OFF switch = ON, on Seeker. ON switch = ON, on “Merlin” – – – it helped, of course, to see some recognizable faces, of course; – Anthony Head – as King – (played the Prime Minister on “Little Britain”) – Will Mellor – as ‘snake boy’ – – – I’ve only ever seen him play ‘ funny/sexy/charming characters – it was kinda cool to see him play ‘the bad boy’ 😉 – Eve Myles – as an… Read more »
Finally something different. This is a big step for TV. I haven’t seen a show this good sence Hurcules or Zena. It is well done and the visual effects are great. I have been checking out the tv guide for future episodes. I intend to watch every one of them.
The problem with Merlin, and every other recycled show out there, is that you can watch the ENTIRE THING for free, right now, on the internet.
Why even bother to set up a Tivo season pass to something that’s already available on DVD for the full season?
IDK, I just think if we can’t get writers to come up with their own ideas then maybe we need to stop the “good old boy” method of hiring all a head writer’s buddies and introduce some new talent to the writing gene pool.
My 2 cents.