Tonight marks the season finale of NBC’s Parenthood. The ratings are down so will it end up being the series finale as well? Will the show be cancelled or return for a fourth season?
Parenthood debuted back in March of 2009 as a mid-season replacement series. The first season’s 13 episodes ended up averaging a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.38 million total viewers. The show was on the bubble but ended up getting renewed.
NBC didnt wait until mid-season to bring it back and season two kicked off in September 2010. With a full 22 episode season, the show’s averages dropped to a 2.1 in the demo and 5.34 million. Parenthood was on the bubble once again but, once again, it ended up being renewed.
This season, the ratings have dropped once again. The third season of Parenthood (not including tonight’s numbers) have averaged a 1.9 in the demo with 5.13 million. Based on the lower numbers at the start of the season, NBC only ordered 18 installments this time around.
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Ordinarily, one would expect that Parenthood would be on the verge of cancellation once again. However, because the rest of NBC’s schedule is in such sorry shape, Parenthood’s ratings actually look pretty good by comparison.
Out of the 17 scripted programs that have aired on NBC this season, Parenthood has the sixth highest demo ratings, beating out shows like Community, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and Grimm. On our NBC ratings report card, Parenthood registers a firm “B.”
Based on the season numbers and the fact that Parenthood is co-produced by Universal Television, NBC’s own production company, it’s almost guaranteed to be back for a fourth season.
But, what do you think? Do you think Parenthood should be renewed or cancelled? How long should the series reasonably continue?
Image courtesy NBC.
NO, please do not cancel. One of the smartest shows out there!
This is the greatest show ever, please don’t cancel.
My husband and I LOVE this show!!! We cry every episode-the cast is fantastic! No way should this show be cancelled. Would love for it to start at 9 though.
Please do not cancel!!! One of the best shows on TV! Great writing, great cast and great stories. Why do all the great shows get cancelled? Maybe NBC should promote it more like they do when a new comes out. I would be so sad if this show was cancelled!
DON’T CANCEL THIS SHOW! It is one of the few shows I watch because it is one of the few shows WORTH watching. It deals with life’s issues in a constructive manner causing each of us to think about issues we each face on a daily basis. I hope to see it again this fall!!
best show on tv
Parenthood is superb in every aspect – writing, producing, acting, set design — the only negative is the 10:00 p.m. time slot. I am in my early 50s but friends in the 30-40 age group love this show, too. In fact, once I tell someone to watch it, it becomes their new favorite. I hope NBC doesn’t make a foolish decision; they need to continue to have faith in this show!
I can’t believe they are actually thinking of canceling Parenthood. It is the only show that my husband and I actually look forward to and sit down together to watch. Almost everyone I know watches it and love it so I can’t believe the ratings aren’t there. It has a great family dynamic, so realistic and so relatable. Its the only show on TV that can make you laugh and cry in the same hour. There’s not another show on TV like it. I really hope NBC keeps it on!
Please don’t say that this week was the last episode of Parenthood. My husband and I love this show and look forward to it each week. This week it was like they set up every storyline as if it was coming back…NBC…Please don’t cancel this show! We think it is very well written, realistic and really hits home with what is happening in American families!! Love it!
Love this show! Not everyone likes mindless TV, like so many of the other shows. This show is something that anyone can relate to no matter where you are on life’s
journey.Great humor, great writing makes this show real.Should be more shows of this quality.
I love Parenthood…I am 80 years old and have watched it from day one, as have all of my friends old and young..if it is cancelled I will boycott NBC which isn’t too hard to do, in view of all the junk…reality shows, except for American Idol..are boring and I am curious…who watches them…the teeny boppers who spend no money? Please – please don’t cancel our favorite show.
Love Love Love this show!!!! PLEASE don’t cancel it!
Please another season or two!!! It is a wonderful program in the clamor of what t.v. has become. Plus it actually teaches things about parenting, and gives families to talk about.
LOVE this show. With so much that’s awful on television, this show is one of the bright lights. The acting is fabulous, and the writing is brilliant. I work with kids on the autism spectrum, and this character is so true to life. I would be truly disappointed if this show were to be cancelled.
Please don’t cancel Parenthood. As the mother of a high functioning Aspie, it is the only show on the air to cover that storyline. I also suffered from infertility following the birth of him so I can relate to Julia and Joel’s situation. It is the most real show on tv.