After some very lackluster ratings, NBC is shutting down production on Outlaw. Is it the next to be cancelled?
The Outlaw TV show follows the crusades of a Supreme Court Justice (Jimmy 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.
Outlaw debuted via a special preview on Wednesday September 15th, 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.
In its regular timeslot a week and two days later, episode two attracted only a 1.1 rating in the demo and 4.89 million total viewers. Last Friday, Outlaw garnered only a 1.0 rating and 4.72. Though expectations are lower on Friday nights, this performance is terrible.
NBC has now shut down production of the series while execs mull over how to proceed. They supposedly want to see how the series performs over the next couple weeks but there’s no reason to expect that the numbers will get any better.
Eight episodes of Outlaw have been produced and five haven’t aired yet. While it seems likely that NBC will air them all at some point, it seems even more likely that Outlaw will be cancelled soon.
What do you think? Do you watch Outlaw on NBC? Do you think the show could be saved? What would you change?
Image courtesy NBC.
Keep it! Love the fact that the issues/cases are controversial. Personally I think that they should have been a gradual introduction to the main character’s gambling addiction (this throws his credibility out the window)…his secretary having the “hots” for him (cute but not so soon)….on the other hand, having the two main attorneys with differences on how to handle a case is refreshing…shows the arrogance and humor of the Smits character. This show is thrown-up against Blue Blood on another network so perhaps the powers to be may want to take a look at placing Outlaw on a another day… Read more »
Keep it coming. Like JS and crew
I’m very shocked at the ratings. Though I don’t watch it on Friday night I record it and watch it over the weekend. I love the show and so does my entire family. I think the exec should give it some more time. Outlaw is a really great show, I think its one of the best lawyer shows that on TV right now. We need a petition or something to try and keep the show.
Keep it. It’s a different type of legal show.
It is a great show that talks about todays issues. I look forward to watching it every week. Jimmy Smits is awesome. If it is not going to do well on Friday, try it on another night.
YEA show should be saved…but concentrate more on the legal drama and less on the “high school antics” . it is doing a good job picking controversial topics and that is refreshing but it doesn’t keep the plot focused on the case and building the argument. when it digresses into the relationships it loses its audience. this should be targeted at a sophisticated audience like law and order …and the relationships should evolve so we can enjoy being a part of it ( like the office).
good luck and keep it on.
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Keep making all characters more likeable/interesting so as to build a relationship with the viewers. This is a good show, but with the legal drama theme on a Friday night… we need extra incentive to watch; sex (a relationship), drugs, religion (beliefs conflict). Keep picking good opening tunes!
Keep it!
This show is very well written, well-acted and interesting. I have no idea why NBC would put it on Friday night. Please, I hope they decide to give it a try – TV needs Jimmy Smits.
I think it’s too political, that’s why it’s shutting down……..the issues are too close to home and gosh, he uses common since which our country is lacking these days. I like the show and wish it would continue
I watch it. It’s really similar to Law & Order. I really enjoy watching it. I know its early but try moving it to another night. I havent seen a whole lot of advertising for it. Maybe some people don’t even know about it. Don’t cancel it!!
I LOVE this show! I get that Friday nights are a bad night for ratings – do they even count people who DVR or TIVO the shows? I don’t know – but all my friends watch this show too and we love it. Jimmy Smits is great — and I loved him in Cane, too, which they also shut down. I think TV is just getting ridiculous. They shut down “My Generation” after one episode. Why bother spending all the money (in this economy) to bring new shows to TV, if you’re not even going to give them a chance.… Read more »
Keep it. It’s entertainment not reality. Put it on a different night and at 9 people who work would watch it more. The time does make a difference.
How many more courtroom dramas are they going to flood the airwaves with?
I watch this show. I’ve always liked Jimmy Smits in anything he does. Sorry the rest of the viewing public didn’t. But that’s how show biz works. It’s good that NBC pres. Jeff what’s his face, is on the way out. Maybe Comcast can turn the network around. I hope so. But I think they have to rethink their thinkin’ on how people watch TV. They have to start including the HULU showings in the ratings. The fact that 90% of homes now have a VCR or DVR. That type of viewing has to be included in calculating the ratings.… Read more »