It’s not often that a new show gets some people so angry before it even airs but NBC’s new TV show, Outsourced, certainly rubs some people the wrong way. Did that hurt the ratings? Will it be quickly cancelled or become a long-term staple of NBC’s Thursday night line-up?
Outsourced follows a US sales manager, Todd Dempsey (Ben Rappaport), who’s assigned to supervise his company’s call center in India. The new sitcom also stars Anisha Nagarajan, Diedrich Bader, Parvesh Cheena, Pippa Black, Rebecca Hazelwood, Rizwan Manji, and Sacha Dhawan.
Some people have expressed resentment over the show’s theme, especially considering this country’s struggling economy and unemployment problem. Others maintain that the show’s intent is to show how offices are the same, regardless of where they’re located.
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In its first week on the air, Outsourced attracted a 3.6 in the 18-49 demographic and 7.49 million total viewers. For the timeslot, it ranked in third place in total viewers but was second in the demo, where the numbers really count.
On the downside, Outsourced lost about 20% of its Office lead-in audience in the demo and 12% in total viewers. Also, about 15% of its audience tuned out midway through the episode. Those people gave it a try and probably won’t be back next week.
New shows typically lose about 15% in week two so we’ll have to wait and see how this one’s ratings hold up. For now, things look good for Outsourced.
What do you think? Did you give it a try? Were you offended by Outsourced? Was it different than you expected? Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy NBC.
this show does not show the Indians in their tru nature. They come here with their superior attitudes and total lack of respect for this country…I say send ALL THESE ************* BACK WHERE THEY BELONG
I love this show. It’s unconvential, witty, colorful and downright funny. I don’t watch a lot of TV. In fact, if it weren’t for a DVR, I would watch virtually nothing. The only regular watching patterns for me is NBC Thursday night lineup with Outsourced and 30 Rock as the highlights. Although Community and Parks and Recreation are fresh and very good as well.
God forbid, these shows would be cancelled and replaced with another hackneyed “CIS”-type show or, even worse, a talking head agitator feeding political pabulum to the masses.
Please keep it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it!!!!! Please keep it going!!!!!
What is so funny is that were I work Studio in Burbank there is an Indian Guy (who we outsourced to) that is a real life Ragiv (asst manager), so much that is now his nickname… Can’t beleive how real this characters are…Unfortunately for us it is really SAD, this Real life Ragiv is an Real Life idiot..
My wife and I love this show…especially Gupta. We “love to hate” the asst. mgr Rajiv! We also the Mudhuri…she’s really not to shy and innocent as she pretends. This show is not meant to be offensive, but it does show us some of the cultural differences with an heir of comedy.
I hope it stays on the air.
It’s a show. Why would you talk about the economy when you’re just watching a show? It’s funny, a twist on the office theme, and at least a glance into another culture. It’s hard to maintain good writing for a show with such a simple premise and as long as they continue to pull it off why talk about cancelling it?
BooObama, are you serious? You’re saying they don’t speak proper English? It’s called an accent! And it’s actually a nice, pretty one if I say so myself. They are speaking English the entire time and I can guarantee that they speak more “proper” English than you do! It’s time for Americans to get off their high horses and start appreciating other cultures for their unique beauty. Get over it already! The show is hilarious and the characters are brilliant. I hope they keep it going.
i dont know why white people think this is an offensive show to indians yet they were not offended the office or parks and recreations. The indians love this show and are excited about new episodes each week. one of my teachers said that the people who are wanting to cause a contravosey over this are Americans who cant bear to give a show to primary indian cast. it might sound that i am accusing of racism but that is basically what these people are doing. the indian community are offended by this there are more worse things to be… Read more »
My daughter and I love Outsourced! Todd is ADORABLE and handles the mishaps between cultures with an ease and class that so many shows lack. The cultural differences are interesting, characters are all defined, and the script is funny and whip smart. I think those who criticize the show have not watched it–in theory it sounds derogatory to Indian culture but the reality is that it is handled carefully, demonstrates respect for Indian culture, and doesn’t always go for the cheap laugh. The American is ridiculous and the Australian babe is a total caricature, but Ben Rappaport and the Indian… Read more »
I work in an industry that has heavily been outsourced to Indian companies, and I absolutely LOVE this show. My DVR us overflowing because I can’t stand to delete any of them. The characters–mostly the Indian actors–are gems, likable and funny. The clashes between the cultures are laugh out loud funny. The episode where Gupta (Parvesh Cheena) got dreams of Bollywood stardom, only to lose miserably to the talented Anisha Nagarajan was my favorite. I also love wacko Diedrich Rader as the other American working at the commerce center or whatever they call the place where everyone works. I don’t… Read more »
I think you are right on Susan. I’ve found over the years that television shows that require an intelligent audience to understand the humor just don’t make it. It seems that everyone wants the same childish, slap stick humor that’s already been done time and time again. Outsourced is something completely different, I look forward to it every week. I’m afraid America isn’t mature enough for it though.
I LOVE Outsourced…its hillarious….everyone I get to watch it loves it too…..If you know any Indian people…it’s even funnier…because it’s all so true…the way they act and think. I just can’t get enough of it…I think it should should stay on the air forever!
Its sad how they have decided to make a show about OUTSOURCING our jobs to people who don’t speak proper english but its suppose to be funny. Not one minority in the whole show. CAST system is still alive and well, I wish the producers and acters and actresses nothing but the worst. THANKYOU
this is where you are wrong
THIS SHOW IS BASED ON A MOVIE MADE IN 2006 PRIOR TO THE ECONOMY
you are those americans who have hatred of seeing an indian cast on american television but yet you probably laugh your ass off watching the office or parks and recreations. outsourced is pretty much like the office except in india.
Outsourced is hilarious! Every character in the show is great. Altogether they make this show a winner. For someone who rarely laughs out loud ,I say this is a hysterically funny show! I particularly enjoy the character of the assistant manager and that of Gupta. I hope the show will be renewed! Why put it inthe 10:30 slot ? Ihope that is not a bad omen !
Grace, you are on target.
The trouble with Outsourced is that the focus is on Todd his blonde girlfriend (Okay her cheerful open enjoyment of sex is nice) and the jackass American friend. Todd wouldn’t be friends with this guy in America. He has no redeeming qualitys at all. neither does the Indian assistant manager. The Indians are the interesting characters