In the past, Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence have both had successful sitcoms that ran for many years. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the duo’s new FX sitcom, Partners, has much of a future. It’s very likely to be cancelled.
On Partners, a snobby lawyer (Grammer) and an overly ethics-driven lawyer (Lawrence) become partners and end up helping each other get their lives in order. The rest of the cast includes McKaley Miller, Telma Hopkins, Danièle Watts, Rory O’Malley, and Edi Patterson.
As you may recall, FX made a 10/90 deal for Partners with Lionsgate TV and Debmar-Mercury. If the sitcom’s first 10 episodes reached a certain ratings threshold then the cable channel was obligated to order 90 episodes for season two — assuring the studios would have enough episodes for a (potentially very lucrative) syndication package.
Charlie Sheen’s sitcom, Anger Management, has a similar deal and this week, the 67th and 68th episodes of that sitcom’s 90 installment second season aired. George Lopez’s Saint George comedy also had a 10/90 deal but drew poor ratings and it was cancelled.
Deadline reports that it’s highly unlikely for Partners to go past a single season and it’s easy to see why. The ratings have been absolutely dismal. This week’s pair of episodes averaged a 0.12 rating in the demo and a mere 415,000 viewers — far lower than Saint George ever dipped.
Supposedly, FX hasn’t reached a decision yet but, unless there’s some sort of miraculous turnaround, it seems like Partners is already doomed to be cancelled.
What do you think? Do you like Partners? Do you think it should be cancelled or renewed for a super-sized second season?
I have watched every episode. In the beginning I thought that the show would not last two weeks. I love Kelsey and Martin, so I continued to watch the show. It got better!
As requested above, give it a chance. Can the canned laugh track and let those two titans of comedy loose with a little ad-lib every now and then. (Some of the dialogue I could have improved on.) Improve the other characters and GIVE THIS PROGRAM A CHANCE!
PLEASE?
I like Kelsey grammar hes funny it’s like dr. Crane got into law.kill of Martin and replace him with that black dude in Frazier cam whatever the last name was.
Agreed with get rid of the laugh track. But it is getting better. And does need a season or 2, sure neither guy needs the cash too much so can’t be the most expensive production. What they need to do is select some awesome older actor with the same star power to be Alan Sr. say Clint Eastwood, he’s as less fuzzy and cuddly then Voldemort. 🙂 he doesn’t have to be in many episodes and could even be a voice after 1 appearance. By season 4 have him kick the bucket and Alan and Markus go to the big… Read more »
First of all, can the canned laughter! The scripts desperately need to be improved. Neither Grammer nor Lawrence are allowed to tap into their innate talents. The acting appears forced and the chemistry between the two stars is almost non-existent. If this show is extended, I’ll certainly watch a few more episodes in fairness to the actors. If the writing doesn’t improve, click.
Keep the show, but revamp Martin’s character – much too serious. He needs a love interest, too.
Give it a chance! CBS got rid of the crazy ones which would have been great if given a chance. A bunch of my friends are starting to watch partners. Give it a chance a give us another option besides stupid “reality” shows!!!!! I beg this station give it time for it to be discovered!!!
On a broadcast network, shows sometimes are given a 13 episode order, then picked up for the “back 9” episodes of the season if ratings and/or critical buzz warrants it. The deal Partners’ production company made with FX was for a 10/90 model instead. That means, in order for FX to “give it another chance”, they would be committing to produce 90 more episodes of a barely watched, nearly universally panned show in the all but nonexistent chance that millions of people would suddenly decide to start watching a show that makes Two and a Half Men look like Arrested… Read more »
Painful to watch. Can’t believe I sat through an episode.
Needs better writing. Has good actors but they don’t have a lot of funny lines.
Keep it! Give it time to develop, you have a winner here. Lawrence and Grammer work well together and the rest of the cast is good, too. Many of my friends are just discovering it. All the best sitcoms have needed time to get started. Give it another chance!
Huge fan and I say be renewed for another season.
They have had some bad luck with being on opposite programs like the Emmys. I like the show and want it to go on. Give it a chance. It keeps getting better…it is very funny.
A decent show but not very funny in terms of sitcom. Maybe if they change the environment to a bar room with a fat guy sitting on the stool and a not so bright bartender serving drinks, it might take off.
The 10/90 rule seems a little excessive too.
Bring back Saint George! Also FX needs to pick up Men at Work since TBS decided to cancel that show.
I really like the show & say give it a chance. The chemistry between Martin & Kelsey is great. Get new writers & revamp the supporting cast (daughter, office assistant) & the show will be great. Don’t cancel yet.
I really like it. I agree Martin does seem a little off but it’s getting better. They need to keep it going for at least another season. I do like them together and the cast as a whole is really good and will get better. Please keep it.