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?
I am so disappointed that NBC did not give Rise a chance. It was one of the best new shows that have come out this past year. I am so over all the remakes of old shows and tired crime and medical shows. Seriously you have a fresh new show with so many very talented actors and you only give it a few episodes and decide to cancel it. We need a variety of shows to choose from I was excited to add it to my DVR list this fall. I wish NBC would reconsider or another network would realize… Read more »
Rise is one of the best TV series that we have seen and is comparable to Friday Night Lights. The acting is superb, the plot is poignant and current, and we could have watched all 10 episodes at once if they were available! We would like for NBC to reconsider saving this wonderful show and if not, hopefully, another channel could pick them up.
Absolutely the very best new TV series!! Devastated to hear series cancelled after only one season. Please reconsider.
This was a great show. If you showed reruns over the summer after AGT, it would have picked up new viewers and steam. It was well done and it’s unfair we don’t get to see the characters we started to love, grow. Boo NBC! Give it the chance it deserves!!! Save this show!!!!!!
Everyone thinks this show was “too political”. Wake up world, all of the issues expressed in these issues is happening with this current generation! We have a medium sized school district (about 350 students per grade), I asked my Freshman and Sophomore if they knew of a student at their school who is 1) a homosexual; 2) who is homeless 3) who is in a bi-racial couple 3) a person who does drugs/alcohol 4) who’s parents are getting a divorce 5) who’s religious/parents beliefs contradict with what the person believes 6) who has a single parent 7) who has a… Read more »
It should not be cancelled. This is a great show! They need another season !
While I loved the show, I’m not surprised. I was in it for the music as much as the drama, and I do love Josh Radnor. I do think it “tried” a little to hard to cram the Politically Correct hot topics in with transgender, homophobia. I did appreciate the son of the director having alcohol issues. There is no room in network television for working out the kinks or appealing to the minority viewer who is tired of lawyer, medical, police and now fire centered themes. The bottom line is “the bottom line”, ch-ching.
I wish a petition would be started to encourage another network–or Netflix ofr Hulu to pick the show up. It was that rare current show that actually made viewers care about the characters!
There is a petition going around on Facebook and Twitterhttps://www.change.org/p/netflix-save-rise?recruiter=669512708&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=share_petition.nafta_share_post_interaction.control
Totally agree – we need to spread the word for people to petition for it to come back or another network to pick it up!!
I loved this show! I can’t believe it’s canceled. The cast was extremely talented. They created believable characters which I cared about. Much like This is Us. I also appreciated the controversial topics that are so very present these days. Maybe it is more deserving on a network that will have the same appreciation for the material as I and thousands of other have.
Such a good show! It should not have been cancelled!
Please, please save this show. It’s absolutely wonderful!
Please, please save this show! It is wonderful!
I absolutely love this show. So engaging and different from anything else out at the moment. Loved every minute couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.
This show definitely had potential. Bummed it got axed before it got to grow.
It only took 1 episode for me to stop watching, so not surprised by it’s cancellation.
No it shouldn’t i loved it