What happened to Pure Genius? Recently, star Augustus Prew spoke with TVLine about the CBS series and why it’s likely to be cancelled.
The drama follows top medical professionals as they team up with cutting-edge tech experts and try to push the boundaries of modern medicine to save lives. The cast includes Prew, Dermot Mulroney, Odette Annable, Reshma Shetty, Aaron Jennings, Ward Horton, and Brenda Song.
Season one of Pure Genius finished in January after CBS decided not to order more episodes—a bad sign for any chance of a renewal. Additionally, ratings for the medical drama were not good. Over the course of 13 episodes, the series averaged a .86 rating in the 18-49 demo and 5.342 million viewers, making it one of the network’s lowest-rated and least-watched new series for the 2016-2017 season. It’s unlikely the show will be renewed for a second season.
Speaking to TVLine, Prew said he thinks Pure Genius had an identity crisis:
But if I’m being honest, I think we got caught between two different shows. I think CBS wanted something a little more procedural, and [executive producer] Jason [Katims, of Friday Night Lights/Parenthood fame] wanted something a little more character-driven.
Prew later added that the show’s lack of direction was what brought it down:
CBS and Jason had slightly different visions of what they wanted the show to be, and as a consequence we weren’t enough of either, if that make sense. If it’s going to be a procedural, we should have done a procedural and taken out of the character development. And if it was going to be about these characters and their lives and coming to terms with their own mortality — which is what I wanted the show to be about — we should have pushed that further. … It lost its reason to be. I think that’s where we fell down, if I’m looking at it under a new light.”
What do you think? Did you see Pure Genius? Do you think CBS should renew the show?
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130 Comments on "Pure Genius: CBS Star Reflects on the (Likely) Cancelled TV Show"
The comments about why this fabulous show failed makes NO sense to me at all!! The show was sooooo intriguing and mind provoking and all about HOPE for those in the future to have Help from a currently dismal medical profession. I have been waiting and waiting for it to start again. Since I could not imagine why it would Not!! There are Soooo few new shows worth watching. This was one of them. Guess it’s back to the Old ones.
An amazing show and I’m sorry it was cancelled. It needed betterv support from the network.
It was an amazing show, drama and intrigue….. like no other. Why cancel this and keep the awful life shows that are showing nothing but human competition (the bachelorette, the bachelor, and activities that are bizarre ( lost, the obstacle courses, life competitions. Then there is the shortage of actual shows of any sort; replace some of these ridiculous reruns with quality shows like pure genius. Then you may not lose so much to Amazon, and Netflix.
I loved the show. It was amazing. If it was up against “parenthood ” it was set up to fail. It wasn’t given a chance.
I really liked the show. I really hope it does not get cancelled. The network and readers need to make a Go of this show and the potential.
I really liked the show and feel the viewers did not give the show a chance. The actors did a wonderful job. Please don’t cancel Pure Genius. Thx
This was my favorite show of the season. I am very disappointed that it was canceled! Was really looking forward to watching every episode of Season 2.
I taped “Pure Genius’ on my DVR and am just now getting around to watching it. I love the mix of technology and how it can be used to solve medical challenges. It’s nice to have an intelligent show out there that explores the possibilities of our near future. It would be a shame to cancel it without giving it a chance to evolve.
I really liked the show because it WAS both procedural and character driven. Why can’t a show be both? I’ll miss it!
This is a fresh and very unique show, which can not be put into a category. It’s time to break out of the old standards and start a new on: compassion for the human spirit. I love, that the show has combined cutting edge technology and that it is using, the new innovations in the medical field. THERE IS NO SHOW LIKE THIS, ON TV NOW. CBS, please be the innovative network and keep PURE GENIUS, ON THE NETWORK..
I really like this show.
I wish they would change there mind and NOT to cancel the show.
Loved it so positive and believable I cried twice in every episode I want more
Come on
I loved this show! I watched it with my folks. It was uplifting and hopeful. Exactly the type of show we need right now.
I thought the show was brilliant. Loved the premise, storylines, and actors. Will be extremely disappointed if CBS cancels this series.