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?
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I loved it. I want it to come back
There hasn’t been a show like Rise since Fame in the 80s, both were amazing. Easily the best show of the season. The cast gave a “WOW’ performance of Spring Awakening in the last episode.
With all the garbage on TV, why would one of the best shows be canceled?
I absolutely LOVED Rise! Loved the characters and the topics! Why, oh why, do they always cancel the best shows and leave stupid 1/2 hr sitcoms on forever??????????
Another show cancelled that didn’t get half a chance. Saw NBC do the same thing with Crowded. I watch more ABC TV than any other Network. I guess it’s because NBC doesn’t know a good thing when it sees it. I really wish a smarter network would pick up this show.
Huge mistake. Fantastic show. There is so much dross on TV including the return of old shows (Will and Grace) that are renewed using the same shtick but something original, topical , and new gets the axe. Shame on you NBC your television lineup is as conservative as the fictional town in Rise. Rise up I’ve the bottom line and be leaders on television.
I am shocked that Rise is not continuing! The characters are amazing and the themes are complex and important. What the heck? Its rare that a TV series captures my sustained attention and brought tears to my eyes. Bad move NBC. Hopefully another network will pick it up if they are smart.
This is an amazing show! It’s engaging and deals with so many issues that kids and adults deal with day to day. I cannot comprehend why such a great show would be cancelled when there is so much crap that remains season after season. “I can’t bear the thought that the very last thing I taught you all was to cave, to play it safe, to compromise.[…]They mean well, they do, but they’re wrong, they’re dead wrong. I just, sometimes you just have to say screw it but it’s not just up to me. It’s up to all of us.… Read more »
Please bring Rise back! Love the cast and storyline….it can go in so many directions with the many characters and their stories!
Please bring back this great show and awesome Cast!!
Great show. Sad that a group of small minded people could censor a great show
Why would they do this make an awesome show and then leave us hanging could I wish they would at least put it on Netflix or something this helped me realize that I’m not the only one with problems
OMG!! This is an Awesome show! And Family friendly with young viewers…. including pre-tween and teens. Helps to open up dialogue with your kids. I love the cast! Really CBS? You get rid of good shows like Kevin Can Wait and Rise… but keep crap shows like Big Brother?? Shameful!
Please bring it back. There are few shows that we can aenjoy and watch as a family with a teenager.
This show is amazing and EVERYONE that watches it loves it! You keep these other shows on the air like the Gong show…really????? Everyone on this show has such talent and they capture your attention every episode!!!! You big networks never give these good shows enough time to prove themselves! I hope that another smarter network picks this show up and keeps it going!!!!
This was an amazing show that addressed a lot of real world issues affecting teenagers. The acting is amazing and the writers are exceptional. I am truly disappointed that it is cancelled. Finally NBC had a good original idea and they caved to a little criticism. I hope another network picks it up.