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?
I thought the show was great – either way – it had a good balance of both directions. I wasn’t planning on watching it (I’m a HUGE fan of Code Black), but noticed the cool high-tech scientific claims for medicine and thought “that’s a neat spin to a medical show – something about advancements of the future.”
As someone who has lived with disabling illnesses for 20 years, this show was a beacon of hope that there could be change in our Healthcare System for people like me. People that the system seems not to care about and few try to find treatments or cures for or find the reasons these illnesses happen. This show represented positive, selfless devotion to finding answers for the hopeless by bringing the best of physicians together with the best in the technical world. Please bring this show back. We need programming that shows hope is still possible.
I watched and loved the show. These producers are trying to cram reality shows down our throats when they are scripted and have no real value. Thank goodness for Netflix and movies.
Watched every episode loved it, but I am not in that age group thats picks the hits and not. I am in the age group that can buy the products that are advertised, including cars, vacations etc..
I so agree. I missed it by twelve years. This show is in its own category. I want to see it back, on the air. My Mom even loved watching it.
So love this show.please save it.
Please renew with any changes needed. Technology was very interesting and characters were some I wanted to see each week.
PLEASE RENEW. IT WAS UPLIFTING AND GIVES HOPE TO US OLDER PEOPLE
Excuse me-you get a show that my whole family loves and you cancel it. I just think this is wrong. Shows like this are so inspiring and there should be more of it on TV instead of the garbage that they are trying to pass off as entertaining.
Enjoyed this show and its brilliant ideas. Loved the characters. I am in the wrong demographics ad I am 61 but not many people care about what we enjoy. Please renew it.
Ditto. My Mom and I, are also in the wrong category. PLEASE BRNG BACK PURE GENIUS.
Please renew Pure Genius. There are a lot of us that watch it that aren’t included in the ratings. It is our favorite show and it is one the whole family can watch. Please bring it back and don’t cancel it
My husband and I both liked this show. It was a different type of medical show and was unique. I really wish it would continue. My neighbor also loved the show. We are not sure why it didn’t take off. Give it another shot, please!
I really liked this show as it showed how brilliant minds could come up with
solutions to help sick people who couldn’t get help any where else. Recommend this be renewed,
As always CBS seems to cancel good shows!!!! Maybe I should stop watching CBS!! Keep Pure Genius.
Too bad. I really liked it. Confused they cancelled it while starting APB which seems to be a poor copy
I think you’re as stupid as most as the shows on CBS if you cancel PURE GENIUS, because it is a smart, engaging, unique series that deserves a chance. I don’t remember much advertising for the first season. Go all out for season 2. PLEASE!!!!!!