Last week’s was the last scheduled episode of ABC’s sitcom Mr. Sunshine. Though 13 episodes were produced, ABC only aired nine. Starring Matthew Perry, the series took over the Wednesday night timeslot from Cougar Town, which stars another Friends alum, Courteney Cox. How did Perry’s new series perform? Does it have a sunny future or will it be cancelled before it gets a second season?
Mr. Sunshine revolves around Ben Donovan (Perry), the Manager of Operations at San Diego’s Sunshine Center sports arena. His stressful job isn’t made any easier by his crazy boss (Allison Janney), his sleeping with his marketing director (Andrea Anders), his a crazy new assistant (Portia Doubleday), his best friend (James Lesure) or his boss’ less-than-skilled son (Nate Torrence).
After weeks of promotion, the sitcom started off quite strong with a 3.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.52 million viewers. Unfortunately, the TV series lost 30% of its audience demo in week two, a pretty good indication that many didn’t like what they saw in the pilot. Week three lost another 15%. Future episodes went up and down a bit but week five dropped a whopping 25% and and the demo number dropped another 33% in week eight. That was a series low of a 1.4 rating.
The nine episodes that have aired averaged a 2.2 rating in the demo and 6.02 million viewers. It’s ABC’s lowest-rated sitcom and, had it stayed on the air any longer, the ratings surely would have kept dropping. It sometimes airs opposite American Idol but so do the other ABC sitcoms and they perform much better.
Based on the ratings, it looks fairly certain that ABC will cancel Mr. Sunshine after one season. ABC sometimes gives a second chance to TV series that have struggled but still show promise. Though Mr. Sunshine has an impressive cast, the show’s been on an overall downward trend from the beginning.
At the January TCA press tour, ABC’s president Paul Lee indicated he was interested in scheduling another night of comedy next season. If that happens, they may decide to renew Mr. Sunshine for a small second season and combine the remaining four unaired episodes with the new ones. ABC has done something similar in the past.
What do you think? Will Mr. Sunshine be cancelled or renewed? Would you like to see it return?
Image courtesy ABC.
Oh, come on. Smart, funny, tremendous cast, good plot line developing. Why on earth would anyone want that . . . ?
I love it!! PLEASE, don’t cancel it. It’s so nice to have Matthew Perry back on prime time. But my favorite is Roman, he cracks me up. I love that character. Please at least try for one more season.
I really like Mr. Sunshine. Nate Torrence’s character, Roman, is funny and loveable and Allison Janney is hilarious as Crystal, both of whom really make the show. The pilot had me wondering whether the writing would keep me interested, but it improved with subsequent shows. I’ve warmed a bit to Perry’s Ben, but I still can’t say I love his character. Alice and Alonzo do nothing for me, but the little runners, like the mascot and Heather’s creepiness, have made up for what other characters lack. Episode 9, Ben and Vivian, was definitely a turnoff for me, though, moving the… Read more »
I loved this show. I liked all characters. Very funny. Let’s kepp our fingers crossed.
It seems like all the shows with tongue in cheek, unobvious humour get cancelled. I really miss shows like Arrested Development, and sincerely hope the ABC head honchos decide to keep Mr. Sunshine around. Let’s face it: if your show really is funny, it doesn’t need a laugh track to let us know when we too should be laughing.
I am a Matthew Perry fan but as an actor coming from an amazing show like Friends, he should know what good writing is…or at least…what ‘funny’ is. Jokes fall flat and while most comedies have absurd premises and cliches sometimes, Mr Sunshine is unable to make the viewer accept it as past of the comedy due to poor execution. Mr.Sunshine is extremely unfunny. It isn’t straightforwardly funny like Seinfeld, Friends, HIMYM are…and it isn’t a subtle, intense sort of comedy like Arrested Development. It is in a weird middle ground which is a very unfunny place to be. I… Read more »
I don’t like many sitcoms, but I do enjoy Mr. Sunshine. There are few shows I actually make a point of watching, but this is one of them!
I really like the show. I hope that ABC doesn’t cancel the show. There’s not that many comedy shows on anymore. It’s good, clean humor….
Love it! Renew!!
Perry is funny, but this show is terrible. Perry needs to play a LIKEABLE character. He needs to play the underdog.
I look forward to watching this show every week. It’s funny and yes it stars Matthew Perry …..which is a bonus! I also love the time slot! So please Mr. Head over this show let it air for season two. To the audience please watch it will make you too laugh!
I love that show! Say it ain’t so! 🙁
Great show!!! My wife and I will miss mr Sunshine if canceled. It was witty and refreashing in todays realm of dark TV and lame reality Shows. The show made me laugh. Please do not cancel!!!
I love that show, it shouldn’t be cancelled. Don’t know why its lost popularity so quick.
love the show….not loved..but love…..mathew perry is awesome…great everything…