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.
I think Outlaw is a fabulous show as was Cane. I don’t know why Jimmy Smits shows
keep getting cancelled. Perhaps if Outlaw was in an earlier time slot there would
be more viewers………Cane was on late too, and I was so into that show to cancel
would be a hugh mistake!!!!!!!!!!!.
Really liked Outlaw . We would watch it and record Blueblood to watch later or on saturday.
DON’T CANCELL!!
Just when I like a new show, the network cancels it, This TV season is horrible…don’t
get rid of one of the few good shows.
I like the show. Hope the network gives it a chance.
I cannot believe that outlaw is canceled!!! I love this show and it’s very refreshing. I’m not sure what NBC is doing. Give this show a chance. I, like others, do not watch the show live but watch it first thing on Saturday morning!! Another bad decision for NBC.
Please, please keep the show Outlaw! I love Jimmy Smits. I am so tired of reality shows. This is a great show and needs to be given more than two episodes.
Outlaw shows some decent law on current issues without a lot of violence. Even though the law part is dramatised some it is still based on some good law work. Not many current TV series do that and I would hate to see it dropped.
I think we should petition to get outlaw back on TV!!!!!!!
By the way, why don’t these shows that are awaiting the verdict, put them on Saturday where there is nothing on tv. See then who watches what? Just a thought?
I love Jimmy and I loved CANE and you did it then too. Give your viewers a chance there is a lot out there to watch. I really like this show, I think Jimmy should loose a few because he can’t be that good, but I have enjoyed the characters and stories very much. Especially the Arizona one. Tackle more shows with those lines and people will watch your show instead of reading the newspaper for an answer to a questions. Open the paper to what’s happening, he explains it and takes off to be Robin Hood of the Justice… Read more »
First of all, who watc hes live tv anymore? I watch tv on HULU and am sad to see that once again NBC is idiotic in pulling good shows. it seems that if it is not a reality show or a cop show there is absolutely no chance at survival on network tv. what does that say about us? and why don’t the networks factor in people watching online???
I love the show and feel the potential for great story lines is unlimited. I think Smits is a great actor and was very disappointed when Cane was cancelled and will be just as upset if Outlaw does not make it. Please keep the show
I like the series show, Outlaw. It is pitted against a strong new show on another channel and it really needs a new time slot. Please, give it a chance to be viewed by more people! I admit there are a lot of shows with attorneys in court, but the fact that Garza was a former supreme court justice makes for an interesting twist. Remember, a lot of people have only one choice to record and they may watch this one live.
I like outlaw. I hope they do not cancell it. I am tired of all these comedy shows.
The show is refreshing in the fact that the subject matters deal with current issues that relate to today. I enjoy the first few series and look and hope to see future series. Keep the show .