The peacock network recently premiered a new mystery series for the summer called Persons Unknown. Will the series last? Will viewers get answers to their questions or be left hanging?
Persons Unknown revolves around a group of strangers who wake up in a strange hotel and find that they’re in a ghost town and unable to leave. They see security cameras observing them and their unknown captors create mistrust among the group by offering freedom if they hurt the others. The cast includes Chadwick Boseman, Lee Purcell, Jason Wiles, Andy Greenfield, Daisy Betts, Tina Holmes, Alan Ruck, Kate Lang Johnson, Sean O’Bryan, and Gerald Kyd.
The NBC mystery series debuted on June 7th to very disappointing ratings. The premiere attracted a poor 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and just 4.38 million viewers. That represents a distant third place for the timeslot and is an even worse performance than last year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
In week two, the numbers dropped to a 1.2 rating and 3.52 total viewers. Episode three’s ratings dropped even further to a 1.0 in the demo and only 2.87 million viewers. How much lower can the numbers go?
The network is promoting Persons Unknown as a mini-series and say that all viewer questions will be answered by the end of the 13th episode. There have been talks that if the show is successful, it could return for a second season (like CBS’ Harper’s Island). The series was created with international buyers in mind so if it’s successful in other countries, year two could be forthcoming (ala The Listener). However, with ratings like these, NBC wouldn’t likely have an interest in buying it.
Actually, the peacock network could pull the show off the air before all of the current episodes have even aired. NBC has moved it up to 8pm for the next couple weeks, trying to attract a few more viewers. Hopefully, the network will let all 13 episodes air and allow faithful viewers to see the story reach its conclusion. At this point, a move to Saturday nights or forcing people to watch episodes online wouldn’t come as a surprise.
What do you think? Is Persons Unknown worth watching or would you just cancel it before all the episodes have aired?
Image courtesy NBC.
I have watched “Persons Unknown” all summer, with great interest in this story and developed a vested interest in the characters towards the end of the 13 shows they aired. I love to see a 2nd season of “Persons Unknown’, if not on NBC, then maybe on one of their other networks, like the SyFy channel. I was left with wanting to know more and loved the ending of episode 13, and would love to see MORE!!!
This show is a joke. We watched the finale Saturday night August 28, 2010, thinking it would finally make some sense. We would not consider watching this show if it is renewed.
I’m with you on that one. Same here big reveal , huh? I’m all “Thumbs down” on this one,what a farce.
AWESOME show.. Sure beats those horrific reality shows. Just saw the finale tonight, but …Woah…They can’t leave us like this….no answers in the…There HAS to be Season Two…What a sad thing if it’s gone now…I’ll always wonder what the true story was.
I would be very disappointed if they didn’t air ALL episodes. I have been a fan throughout the season, as I was for FlashForward and The Forgotten. I just would like to watch something that doesn’t end in the 30 minute timeslot, or involve somebody’s idea of a “reality” show. I watched these with my kids and we enjoyed trying to figure out the clues. I just don’t understand why all of the stations have to try to volley for the same air time and when one wins out, everyone else cancels their shows – period. And sending this to… Read more »
I watch the show every week but I have to admit it’s horrible. The only reason I watched was for that gorgeous blond Kate Lang Johnson and they killed her off in episode 4 (I thought) Now their bringing her back so I’ll watch till the end.. I still have her little underwear dance in my DVR and when I get sad I watch the 3 second clip over and over and over and over again…lol
http://www.google.com/search?q=Kate+Lang+Johnson&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
I hope it will continue at least until the final episodes. I enjoy it so much and it seems unfair to cancel.
I think they need to give the show a chance. Its got a great storyline and I don’t see how they will be able to tie it up on time! I just hope the storyline isn’t too rushed in the finale. Definitely show the complete series, I really like Joe and want to see what the big deal is with Janet???
This is annoying me because I’ve tried to find a replacement for Lost, I JUST heard about this show two days ago, and now there are talks of taking it off the air. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME NBC! The plot looks awesome, friends who just told me about said it’s awesome and I haven’t watched one episode. Who in their right mind would put a show like this on a Saturday night, especially competing with sports and stuff. Tuesday? Wednesday? Thursday? Get your act together if you wanna be as cool as ABC with your shows and… Read more »
i would be very disappointed if they took it off the air. Its a very well written show & it keep me thinking of new ideas each week.
I would like to see all 13 espisodes – I have watched and enjoyed the show but I wouldn’t want to see it drag on and on and on the way other shows have. this type of show like Harper’s Island needs to finish it’s story. I think the fact that it is on Saturday may contribute to the low ratings. I can’t stand reality shows and I don’t care what family might be doing or who is keeping up. thanks
They definitely air all the episodes.As someone else said it would be an insult to those viewing it. I think they should be obligated to finish the show for those who have been following it. Are we just the unimportant viewers?
This show is always entertaining and keeps you thinking. My whole family loves it now, and they better not cancel before answering all our questions at least!
theres no answers wait to season 2
Love the show now they want to cancel it because of poor ratings.
Best show on Tv now! I cant watch another reality show, another Law and Order, or another hospital drama! There is nothing worth watching anymore, especially on NBC. Jay Leno doesn’t even hold my interest since the big mess with Conan. What is wrong NBC? I guess too lazy to do a little promoting?
I think that if Persons Unknown is taken off the air now, it would be an insult to the viewing audience. I love the show and I think it should continue indefinitely. However, if it will not be repeated next season, it should still at least complete this season.