Earlier this year, ABC introduced a thriller series called The River. It wasn’t a ratings success and will surely be cancelled later this month. Now, the network is trying an action show called Missing. Will this one fare any differently?
Missing follows Becca Winstone (Ashley Judd), a former CIA operative who’s made a new life for her herself as a single mother and a florist. She agrees to let her son Michael (Nick Eversman) study abroad but, a few weeks into his trip, he disappears and she suspects foul play. Becca arrives in Rome and begins piecing together the clues and it isn’t long before the kidnappers realize they’ve picked a fight with the wrong woman. The cast also includes Cliff Curtis, Tereza Voriskova, Adriano Giannini, and Sean Bean.
The series debuted on March 15th and attracted a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 10.6 million total viewers. That wasn’t a bad performance considering that Missing was airing opposite American Idol and the hyped return on NBC’s Community. CBS was airing a low-rated NCAA Basketball game instead of their usual sitcoms.
In week two, Missing dropped a whopping 24% in the demo and dropped to fourth place in the timeslot (beaten by Idol, Community, and more basketball) with a 1.6 rating and 8.81 million. In week three, the demo dropped another 6% and the show remained in fourth place.
Over the course of this season, Missing’s ratings have slowly dwindled further downward. In fact, the show’s demo numbers have never risen.
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Last night’s installment of Missing dropped another 14%, to a new series low, with a 1.2 in the demo and 6.32 million total viewers. It’s demo rating was tied for fourth place in the timeslot — with The CW’s Vampire Diaries.
When a series on a major network ties (or is beaten) by something airing on The CW, you know there’s a major problem.
Missing is currently ranked 21st out of 22 scripted ABC shows this season. It currently has a “D” grade on our ABC Ratings Report Card and is only outperforming Charlie’s Angels average — that was the remake that occupied the same timeslot and was cancelled last November.
Though ABC hasn’t said as much, there’s no chance that Missing will be renewed for a second season. The ratings are just too low — and they keep going lower.
On the positive side, there are only two episodes left in the season so it seems very likely that the network will let them both air before cancelling the show.
But, what do you think? Are you enjoying Missing? Is it worth renewing or should it have been cancelled awhile ago?
Image courtesy ABC.
I love missing. I say keep it on tv. I look forward to watching it.
I really enjoy Missing. I also have concerns about the longevity of the plot of her searching for her son. However, I have faith that the writers could come up with another scenario that would put her on a mission in search of something. Please don’t cancel.
I think the show is great, with each episode feeling like a high budget movie. The shooting locations are amazing and the acting is really good. My two concerns are A) the plot itself limits the longevity of the show, and B) the undoubtedly high production costs. I don’t want this show to go away, but I think that like most networks ABC is shortsighted and will strike down anything that isn’t a big moneymaker from the start.
I’m already tired of watching shows that get cancelled after just one season! By the time people like a show, it gets cancelled. Another thing: why are the seasons so short compared to 5-6 years ago when 24 or prison break used to have 20+ episodes/season?
Everyone I know watches and loves this show how can ratings be low best show on tv. Do not cancel
I loved missing from the very beginging. It has been keeping me guessing all season. All the suprises are twists are what make it such a wonderful series. I said from the begining that it is more like a movie than a TV show so maybe one season will be enough but please end this season with some answer and Michael at home safely with his parents!
Please do not cancel Missing. It is a really good show, I love the characters, & I love that they take the show to different locations for each episode. Instead of getting rid of good fiction or comedy shows, please get rid of all the stupid reality shows which I hate.
Sometimes, best shows only last one season.
I hardly imagine Becca looking for her soon another season.
Season 1 finale will give the answer for the 2nd season question.
The series is great, shot in nice places, with a balance of action and drama.
I love missing. Even though you feel there is no chance of a second season I have fallen head over heels in LOVE with this show and have Re-fallen in love with Ashley Judd. I hope for the sake of myself and all others who watch Missing the show is not dropped. We need more Action/dramas out there and this is a great one!!!!
I absolutely love Missing. Cannot wait for the next show. I would like to to have the whole show on a DVD so I could watch it over and over. Love Ashley Judd kick ass. Good story line, does not get boring.
I Love this show and so does everyone I know. My husband didn”t think he would like it but has been hooked ever since the first show. I can’t believe it would be cancelled.
I like the show even though the acting in it is pretty bad.
Bad acting- are you kidding? I couldn’t disagree more.
Same here…the acting has been awesome and the suspense has kept me at the edge of my seat!
I generally agree with the awesome acting except the one glaring exception of Keith Carradine. For such a key character his performance is, um, substandard (that’s the kindest way I can put it)
LOVE the show, how about changing the time slot… intelligent people like this show! I hope it stays.. enjoy it, it is a real thriller!
Great show…………..much like the old Fox’s 24.
It’s a sad sad world we live in when good series are cancelled to make way for more “reality television.” The Western world’s IQ level are dropping with the onslaught of shows like American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, the Kardashians and so forth. When is it too much? I vote to keep Missing on the air. I’ll take good old Fiction over someone else’s view of Reality any day!
Really enjoy the show, I hope it isn’t dropped.