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?
Please do not cancel Pure Genius!! My husband and I both really enjoy this show. It is innovative and engaging. Wouldn’t it make more sense to listen to the mature, established adults? Yes, the younger crowd should have a say, but most of them don’t have a real clue about life. They’ve been too coddled and many of them have lousy ethics. Luckily, there is a small percentage that have their head screwed on well. As I have read other replies, I must agree that a lot of the reality shows are a waste. The interaction of the cast in… Read more »
Too bad we don’t fit into the 18-49 demographic…….then our ‘likes’ would be considered! Loved this show………so sick of inane comedy shows and ridiculous reality shows! More reason to continue watching PBS with great British Mystery, etc., shows!!
I LOVED THIS SHOW. I HOPE IT IS NOT CANCELLED
A fresh, innovative new show with a great cast so of course it gets cancelled by CBS likely due to the fact that it isn’t a ridiculous reality show or lame comedy! It is so annoying that a show that actually has more viewers than others gets cancelled while those other shows are renewed simply because of the 18-49 demographic. So frustrating!
Pure Genius was a great show. I really think CBS put in into a wrong time slot..Please try this again in a different time slot..I am sure you will see more viewers. The programs that are on today are really foolish and not worth watching. This program has the human factor in life.
This is one of the most creative and thought-provoking shows we have ever seen. We are sorry to hear about its possible cancellation.
This show will catch on once people “find”. There is a lot of junk shows to weed through. The show is on spot, well acted, developing a story, and appreciated by folks who need some diversity. How many alien, ghost, and WWII shows do we need? Go for Season II (and note)!
I Loved This Show!! Please DO NOT cancel!!! I looked forward to this show when it was on!! CBS usually cancels anything I like….Not Cool!!
A very positive new show.
I loved this show! The characters and the lives they were trying to save by doing everything they could think of and how they just kept trying.
I think CBS needs to bring this back and maybe try another time slot. Lots of people loved this show!
I really enjoyed Pure Genius which had a unique spin. I didn’t miss an episode. Please bring it back in a different time slot.
Please don’t cancel I enjoy the show. I am tired of getting into a new show then it is cancelled
I loved Pure Genius!!! I’m very disappointed it’s going to be cancelled. It gave us hope that sometimes miracles can happen and great minds can make them happen. Sad day.☹️
Why is it the only shows which are renewed without question are reality shows? Pure Genius is a show which makes us think of the possibilities in this techno world. It’s an interesting show and I haven’t missed any of it. Please do not cancel it.
I looked forward to this program every week and never missed an episode. It is a program that is so appropriate for this day and time with the many advancements in science, medicine, and computer technology. Would love to see this program renewed.