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.
Love parenthood. Realistic lovable please bring it back
I love this show. My husband is in lawschool and he is swamped with work, but this is the ONE show that we make certain to watch every week. (Even if we have to watch it on NBC’s website later in the week.) It is warm, funny, and real. I love it. I hope NBC is smart enough not to cancel a quality television show for some more reality crap.
I love Parenthood. It is a great show. They show what families are really like. I was so happy with the finale when they introduced the concept of foster child adoption. I am an adoptive mother and thought they did this very well.
My daughter and I tuned into Parenthood because we so badly missed Lorelei (aka Lauren Graham), and we’ve come to love the show for all the reasons stated in other posts — truly, the best acting on TV (ok, at least on network, and it’s on par with Mad Men), excellent writing and wonderful characters. At this point it’s impossible to say who my favorite character is. I’d compare it to a wonderful, rich, dense, compelling book — my highest compliment. DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW. NBC has a gem here, they should hold on to it and support it… Read more »
I love this show! The cast is fantastic and the script is great. Long live the Bravermans!
What a big, beautiful, conflicted, noisy, realistic, warm, and wonderful TV family. Keep it going for many more years to come.
Love Parenthood. So tired of the reality TV crap. Keep the show people!
I don’t understand how trashy shows like jersey shore are overly hyped and adored. Parenthood was one of my favorite shows (among other classics like mad men, friends, modern family) that was different because it was actually relatable and realistic. RENEW PARENTHOOD!
Please Renew great show great actors very real.
It should BE RENEWED for many many many MORE SEASONS! LOVE the Show, one of the best ever on NBC!! Please renew it!!
Parenthood is probably my favorite show on television, and I am watching shows like Mad Men and The Good Wife. Of course, both the acting and writing are top-notch, but I feel the show provides so much more. I believe people can tend to feel isolated these days, despite things like Facebook. We are so busy in our lives and often move away from our families. The Bravermans, on the other hand, are a big, extended family who live in close proximity and give each other support. Sure, they fight once in awhile, but they always end up reconciling. If… Read more »
This is one of the finest shows on television; high quality writing and acting. Of course
it should be renewed for those of us who are not interested in the reality foolishness
of people who have no absolutely no talent except that they exist. The actors and writers
of Parenthood are all excellent at their craft, and should be rewarded by staying on the
air. They’re a breath of fresh air!
This series is definitely the best show I have ever seen in the american television!!! I would love to see at least another season of this show!!!!!!!
SERIOUSLY, this is the ONLY show I am sure to watch every week. The ONLY one!!!
Love it, love the characters, love the craziness, love it all. Please don’t let it be cancelled! 🙁
It is absolutely my favorite show!!! It has so many true to life situations and emotions. Plus, it is so good to see how family dynamics can be so complicated and emotionally intense yet family is so important, and the love and loyalty they have for one another is always there even through the toughest of times. This show is so true to life. I looked forward to watching it every week and when the season finale was on, I was so disappointed. I wish this show could go on for another few years, I LOVE IT!!! Please do not… Read more »