School is out — permanently — for the cast and crew of NBC’s Rise TV show. The peacock network recently cancelled the musical drama series so there won’t be a second season. But, did the execs make the right decision?
An NBC high school drama from Jason Katims and Jeffrey Seller, Rise stars Josh Radnor, Rosie Perez, Auli’i Cravalho, Damon J. Gillespie, Marley Shelton, Rarmian Newton, Ted Sutherland, Amy Forsyth, Casey W. Johnson, Taylor Richardson, Joe Tippett, and Shirley Rumierk. The series centers on Lou Mazzuchelli (Radnor), who is the fictional analogue to Lou Volpe in the Michael Sokolov book, Drama High. Although he is committed to his students at Stanton High School, Lou knows he needs to shake things up, in order to rekindle his passion for teaching. To that end, he petitions to direct the school’s theater program, but soon realizes he signed up for a whole lot more than he originally expected. Soon though, the faculty, student body, and even the town residents find themselves caught up in the new spirit at the school.
The Rise series debuted in March and got off to an okay start with a 1.23 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 5.50 million viewers. It was no doubt aided by following the season finale of NBC’s biggest drama, This Is Us.
Week two saw a small drop when it moved to its new 9pm timeslot, following The Voice. Week three saw a sizable drop and the show fell to a 0.80 demo rating with 4.32 million. The ratings have dropped a bit since then but have remained pretty consistent. NBC cancelled the show last week, likely because they expect a show like this to draw better numbers when it airs out of The Voice.
Some would argue that Rise had some stiff competition on the other networks, remained pretty consistent for the past several weeks, and the series had just 10 episodes in its first season.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been any word of the show finding a new home for season two so tonight’s finale looks like the end of the road.
What do you think? Did NBC make the right call or, should the network execs have given this show some more time to prove itself? Would you have watched season two?
This show was one of the best I have seen in a long time. It was moving and very entertaining.
I think it was a mistake to cancel Rise. The cast was great with very likable people. Over time the show became more focused. It had potential and addressed issues adolescents are facing. . I’ll echo what others have said. No sense watching a show on network TV because it is quickly cancelled with no closure to story lines. I definitely would have watched a second season.
At the network it was a poorly publicized show. I can’t think of one thing that was done to raise awareness of it.
It should NOT have been cancelled
This show was one of the best on. Very sad.
Amazing show! I wouldn’t have missed season 2 – I was totally looking forward to it. So powerful!
I was really looking forward to Season 2 and just found out that it has been cancelled! I am truly saddened by this and so are my teenage boys who watched with me! Maybe you can get another network to pick it up. It is a great show. Clearly you have a following and many viewers who would continue to watch!! Please bring the show back!!!! Thank you
They should not have cancelled this show – it was great – well cast and most important it depicted real life – this was not garbage it was real –
It was an amazing show! I loved everything about it, and I am so sorry that it has been cancelled. I beg NBC to reconsider!
The executives at NBC are not known for sound decisions so this not unexpected.
Don’t cancel this show it’s my favorite and I can’t wait for Seaaon 2!!!!
Why do thought provoking shows with great complex characters get cancelled? NBC this is the 1st series in long time that actually caught my attention on your network. It wasn’t a cheap reality show, nor another (yawn) medical or police drama. It was new, exciting and above all a show that you could actually talk to your co-workers about. It brought to the forefront issues that are facing our youth and country. I used this show as a launch for many lessons for my High School ELA class. My students even started to watch. Just a poor decision to sell… Read more »
WHY DID NBC CANCEL THIS SHOW?? THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT SHOW! I HOPE ANOTHER NETWORK PICKS IT UP.
This is the best show on Tv and it should be continued. It is my favorite show, great acting, great script, and good message. Please reconsider and have at least one more year.
What a finale to season 1, yeah there needs to be at least a season 2. Fabulous show I mean this cast is just amazing. Please reconsider #NewRise #SaveRise. Young and old love this show!!
RISE needs to be continued!!… What is wrong with you? This show is about truth.. …finding your niche….being true to yourself. It’s about GREAT teaching. This is what teaching should be….not obscure state test scores.. It’s about real life. I happen to teach in the school district that this show is based on. Nothing is far fetched…this is what our district is like. I hope that another TV / cable/ streaming station picks it up!…NBC you have missed the boat on this.