ABC recently unveiled a new medical drama, Off the Map, which was created by Jenna Bans and is co-executive produced by Bans, Betsy Beers, and Shondra Rimes. All three ladies have been closely involved with Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Will Off the Map be as successful as these other medical dramas or be cancelled after one season?
Off the Map follows six doctors who move to a tiny town in the South American jungle to help the residents and man an understaffed and under-stocked medical clinic. The cast includes Caroline Dhavernas, Jason George, Jonathan Castellanos, Mamie Gummer, Martin Henderson, Rachelle Lefevre, Valerie Cruz, and Zach Gilford.
This new TV show debuted on January 12th to a 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic (the number that really matters) and 7.57 million total viewers. That was the night of the President’s speech in Tucson which caused some disjointed viewing in some areas. ABC decided to rerun the series premiere on the following night to give it more exposure, displacing Private Practice.
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Despite that extra coverage, Off the Map dropped by nearly 9% in the key demo in week two. That’s not bad percentage-wise but the debut number was pretty low to begin with. The series attracted a 2.1 rating in the demo and 5.79 million viewers. Last night’s episode dropped 14% to a 1.8 rating and 5.06 million viewers.
After just three weeks, Off the Map is near the bottom of ABC’s demo rankings of scripted series, tying struggling No Ordinary Family. That’s not good at all and since Off the Map’s ratings haven’t stabilized yet, they may keep falling.
In the past, the alphabet network has renewed one or two struggling freshman series for a second season. Unless the ratings start going up, that looks like Off the Map’s only hope for survival. There are 13 episodes in season one and, for now, the finale is scheduled for April 6th. Time will tell if that ends up being the season or series finale.
But, what do you think? Do you like Off the Map? Should it continue or would you just cancel it now?
Image courtesy ABC.
I like it a lot. I like how they sometimes use unconventional medicines. It is different. Not in a hospital. Dealing with natives, etc. Keep it for sure.
Keep the show , i loved defying gravity and that got cancelled before the season ended i would hate for this show to end so soon it has so much promis
I didn’t think I would like it because it’s another doctor show (seems like all we have are doctors, lawyers, officers and reality), but it actually is fun to watch.Not realistic, but so what? We watch to be entertained and get away from reality, don’t we?
good show not great…people too hard on it trying to compare it to greys anatomy…just accept it for what it is a solid show..not much better than it on tv right now, should get a secod season…it is well acted and written
Seems like a great show. ABC would be making a mistake to not give this one a two season chance, I think it will catch on. But pulling the plug too quickly seems to be normal procedure at the alphabet network.
Like it so far. Charactors are growing on me. Interesting story lines. Not high brow entertainment, but good escape.
KEEP IT ON!!!!!!! I would rather see this show than all those “so called reality shows” like Jersey Shore. Off the Map is more real to me as things like this really do happen in “real life”.
I an enjoying it. I miss ER.
Keep it.
Could be much better with better dialogue…some of it is so trite it makes me cringe. And the casting…the guy from Friday Night Lights is mis-cast and so is the unattractive blonde. Neither of those actors is good enough to pull this off. JMHO.
I have to admit that I like it. I say keep it! I love the whole isolated-medical-clinic-in-the-rain-forest thing. Even if some of the things that happen are unrealistic, it’s still fun!
It Sucks! So stupid and unrealistics
CANCEL IT, ITS ANOTHER MEDICAL SHOW WITH BEAUTIFUL YOUNGGORGEOUS MEDICAL DOCTORS RE-FINDING THEIR PASSION FOR THE CHOSEN CAREER, REALLY! COME ON ITS A TROPICAL PARIDISE OF DOCTORS LIVING A FANTASY, THERE ARE SO MANY MED SHOWS ON TV THIS ONE SMACKS OF A ROMANCE NOVEL WHICH IS A ONE TIME READ. CANCEL
type in small caps you are shouting!
I’m seriously enjoying Off The Map. You might think it’s a run of the mill medical show but the whole idea of being in the rain forest administering medicine makes it pretty interesting. I’d like to see the characters developed instead of only focusing on a different jungle medical disaster every week – though they have been quite exciting.
cancel this show because there is so many doctors tv shows right now. i use to watch er and then i stop because it went for long run. greys anatomy is good show but i miss one person from the series and she left.
I love it!!! It’s Doctors without borders meets Grey’s Anatomy. I think it needs some work with character development, but shows some good promise. I’d love to see more depth with Mamie Gummer and Zach Gilford’s characters…