Many people first became aware of actor Jimmy Smits when he co-starred back on NBC’s LA Law in the 1990s. He’s worked on many TV shows since then — The West Wing, Cane, NYPD Blue — with varying levels of success. Now, he’s back in the courtroom again, playing a lawyer on NBC’s Outlaw. How will this new series work out for him? A big success or a quick cancellation?
Outlaw follows a Supreme Court Justice (Smits) who decides to step down and go back to being a lawyer to fight injustices. The NBC series also stars Carly Pope, David Ramsey, Jesse Bradford, and Ellen Woglom.
NBC gave Outlaw a special preview on Wednesday September 15th, in the plum spot of following the season finale of America’s Got Talent. The series premiere was reasonably sampled with a 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.68 million viewers. Those are okay numbers on their own but it’s not a good sign that Outlaw lost a significant amount of America’s Got Talent’s lead-in audience — 42% in the demo and 35% of total viewers.
 Loading ... |
A couple days later, in its regular Friday night timeslot on the 17th, NBC reran the pilot episode. Outlaw performed terribly but, after all, it was a repeat. The rerun attracted just a 0.9 in the demo and 3.93 million viewers. The NBC execs were surely hoping originals would perform better.
Not so much. This past Friday, episode two of Outlaw only mustered a 1.1 rating in the all-important demo ratings and 4.99 million viewers (per the overnights). It was in last place in both categories and lost a large percentage of its lead-in audience from Dateline. Last year, an episode of The Jay Leno Show even did better with a 1.6 and 5.79 million.
With ratings like these, it’s hard to imagine that NBC would bother ordering more episodes beyond the initial 13 installments. They may in fact decide to pull the show altogether and plug in repeats of another series. It looks like it’ll soon be back to the drawing board for Mr. Smits.
What do you think? Did you watch Outlaw? Do you like it? Is it worth saving or should it just be cancelled?
Image courtesy NBC.
Outlaw is a refreshing view of a lawyer fighting for justice. Mr. Smits and the rest of the cast do a wonderful job on the story line. The writing and directing are something that should not be lost to tv audiences. Please keep this show airing.
Wonderful show! I hope it stays on. There is so much blood and gore on most shows–this show is refreshing. To compare it to the America’s Got Talent audience is unfair. I don’t believe that is he same demographics. I think the show is well cast, and the story lines are thought provoking. Please keep the show. I follow less than five (5) television programs–Outlaw is one of them. There is enough of the status quo…
Outlaw is an excellent and it would be crazy to cancel the show. At present there are several new shows being introduced but Outlaw is a winner.
I really like this show and I think it would stand a good chance of having great ratings if they would move it to a different night. How good do the networks think a show is going to do on Friday night?!
I really liked this show and I think it would stand a good chance of having great ratings if they would move it to a different night. How good do the networks think a show is going to do on Friday night?!
Keep it! I love this show. I was confused by what it’s regular night was going to be in the beginning, but I love the story lines. With the loss of my standard L&O, and my disappointment with LOLA, this was a refreshing new show. LOVE IT! KEEP IT!
We love the show – just move either “Outlaw” or “Blue Bloods ” to a different night
and give” Outlaw” a real chance. It is a great show!!!!
I love this show! One of the best on television. Great cast! Please don’t cancel.
Keep the show! It’s one of the best new shows this season. You didn’t even give it a chance. Jimmy Smits is an excellent actor. Do not cancel.
I perfer this program over True Blood, or any of the other new program.
Saw the show and liked it very much. Please don’t
Take it off , the show is very good,
And my family loves it.
It is breath of fresh air.
I feel it is a refreshing change for a friday night this comment comes from a 65 year old viewer, who thinks the cast does a great job.
I think this is simply one of the best legal themed shows ever. Jimmy Smits is impeccable and the writing is top notch. I wonder whether the show goes over alot of people’s heads? Rather than trample the well worn path of legal tv show cliches, Outlaw always takes the unexpected turn and explores complex ideas and themes in an enthralling, intellectual and realistic way. If this show gets cancelled it will be one of the biggest travesties in television history as far as I’m concerned.
Gotta keep it! I love it. Keep it!
I LOVE THE SHOW AND SMITS IS A TERRIFIC ACTOR . I hope it lasts.