Last night, NBC burned off the final two episodes of Prime Suspect. The TV series has been ratings-challenged right from the start and, in November, NBC acknowledged that they wouldn’t be ordering any installments beyond the initial 13 episode order. The official word was that they would re-evaluate once all of the episodes had aired but everyone knew that it was really being cancelled.
If there was even a glimmer of hope that Prime Suspect might see a second season, the ratings for the final episodes didn’t help. Prime Suspect’s numbers continued to dwindle in the latter part of 2011. Last night, following a month hiatus, the finale registered a new series low.
Prime Suspect has been all but officially cancelled by NBC and its replacement, The Firm, is doing even worse. Last Thursday’s episode registered a 0.9 rating for its fourth episode. It took Prime Suspect 10 weeks to drop that low. Fortunately for fans of The Firm, NBC purchased 22 episodes up front. It remains to be seen if they’ll all air.
At the recent TCA press tour, NBC execs noted that, had Prime Suspect been on a premium cable channel like Showtime, it would have been declared a hit and would have been quickly renewed. Maybe but we’ll never know.
What do you think? Are you sorry that this was the end of Prime Suspect? Why do you think it didn’t catch on? Would it have been a hit on HBO or Showtime or even on a basic cable station like TNT?
Image courtesy NBC.
Interesting NBC Execs would say that the should would have faired better on cable. Why not take a clue from the cable network and use their methods for success: placement and top notch advertising. CBS is using this formula and even mediocre shows are doing extremely well on that network. I’m very disappointed to see Prime Suspect go and can only hope that TNT, USA, AMC, Showtime or Starz will be smart enough to see it’s potential, pick it up and run with it!
I love this show! What is the network thinking???? For those of us who are tired of the “reality shows”, the nonsense shows and the “why is this show still on”‘s out there, this is a kick in the couch! I don’t watch a whole lot of television due to the crappy choices I have in what I would call a quality show. Being a die hard fan of Hill Street Blues, The Unit, and other such well-written series, I only hope that someone out there picks up this great series and continues with it. I too have downloaded all… Read more »
Very disappointed, we looked forward to this show every week.
This was new and different, loved the music, sad to see it go, loved the cast, they were all very unique
Great crime show! Maria Bello is terrific as Det. Jane Timoney. The writing, especially the precinct house dialogue, is outstanding. Every role has a distinct, interesting personality around which plots can revolve, and the diverse ensemble of actors was perfectly chosen to play those roles. Damon Gupton, for example, as Det. Evrard Velerio, exudes a cool, reserved confidence that draws the viewer’s attention to every sentence he utters. The use of offbeat humor to temper the impact of the serious subject matter is spot on, as well. NBC, give this show a chance to build an audience! And stop monkeying… Read more »
I will miss this series. Great cast that really seemed to gell. I hope someone picks this series up.
I onlyy watch three shows a week “Prime suspect” was one of them ;(
I love that show and I NEVER WATCH NETWORK TV. Leave it to nbc to cancel the good stuff.
NBC did not even promote the last two episode, put them opposite a playoff game and then wonder why the ratings were low? As you mention, The Firm is seeing the same problem with that time slot, but it’s not as good a show as Prime Suspect. I’m very upset that Prime Suspect is gone, but I keep hoping some other network will pick it up!
There are so few good programs on NBC, CBS or ABC it’s hard to find something entertaining to watch. I found one in Prime Suspect and now it’s gone. I’m not happy.
I loved this show. One of my new favorites. I was hoping maybe TNT would pick it up since TNT picked up Southland. I thought this was way better than a lot of crime procedurals on. This show seemed more realistic in terms of police releationships with each other. I hate it when they cancel shows that are actually good.
mash, cheers, seinfeld, st. elsewehere, hill street blues all had terrible ratings their first year on the air. but quality does in fact often find it’s audience as the success of these shows would indicate. pity the programmers today don’t have the guts that they had back in the 70’s and 80’s to stick with a quality show like prime suspect and give it the time to grow an audience.
NBC makes another bad call. The show was great with a very real cast. Wish cable would pick it up.
I knew this was going to be my show from episode 1. The only thing I really looked forward to in television all week other than Fringe and this is way better due to the realism. I have all the episodes on DVR and will watch them again. Wish the cancellation were not true but I guess most people would rather watch simpler shows such as NCIS, Criminal Minds, CSI and so on. They are fine shows for what they are but too bad something with lower ratings that is different has to be pulled only to find a replacement… Read more »
I really liked Prime Suspect. It was my favorite new show. And of course the last two episodes had low viewer numbers. They stick it on at some odd time with no notice and expect people to find it.
I love this show! Maria Bello and cast are wonderful. Gritty, smart, funny. What the heck NBC? Maybe they should have called it a “reality” show. Maybe more dumb asses would have watched. 🙂