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?
[interaction id=”5afb986969f1ea61bc6f72a7″]
I have my fingers crossed that this is just a publicity stunt – Stanton Drama cancelled parallels Rise being cancelled. I would most definitely watch a second season!
My daughter’s and I would definitely watch additional seasons of Rise. It is a moving, thought-provoking show filled with real-life issues. We were all involved with drama club while in our respective high school years, and felt it depicted the issues involved very well. Great story lines, great performances by all involved. Someone needs to resurrect the series! Please give us more!
Rise showed how deeply a teacher can care about students, the hours dedicated to making children grow and think, and also a more personal side with family issues. The side story of a foster child in the home helped others to realize that foster care homes are needed. Please return this show so that families can view and talk about the issues in the episodes. It is sometimes hard for parents to initiate a conversation but Rise helped the topics to surface so that discussion so needed can happen. Yes, students face these issues of homelessness, drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, abuse,… Read more »
So sad to see this show cancelled. As a teacher, I think this show reflects some of the issues that students are facing in school no matter where that school is located. Please reconsider your decision. Much better than the reality TV shows that are on these days.
NBC, please consider renewing this show. It was refreshing to watch a show with real family issues not to mention what possibly goes on behind the scenes at a school. Yes, it was interesting to visit the influences of a community of modern American. The issues and how they were dealt with were real and common in our lives no matter if we live in a small or large communities. The actors did a fabulous job portraying their characters. Please reconsider your cancellation of this show, but schedule it at a time after young children are in bed.
Extremely bummed to learn Rise cancelled. Hope NBC will reconsider
I enjoyed the series very much………..extremely disappointed in cancellation…….please bring back in place of one of your crappy reality shows
This is a quality show that needs time to find its audience. I watched every episode and it’s a terrible shame that the show is cancelled and leaving us to the wasteland of reality tv. This is why I don’t commit to any hourly dramas, the networks don’t care about the audience and are quick to cancel if the show starts off slowly.
this is my 3rd time trying to write this because of your dumb code. best program on TV, makes you think and feel. i tape 3 programs in a row so i feel like i am really there. i am a 77 yr old woman and i can even relate to what they are trying to say. the acting by all the cast is excellent!!!!! Give it a chance. There is so much junk on television and i watch a lot.
I just finished writing my comment and it came off because of code. I am 77 yrs old and this is the best program on television. The show has substance, great actors —-all of them and they make you feel like you are there. You have to use your brain and heart for this program. You are not giving it a chance!!!!!!!
I am a 77 year old woman and this is my favorite TV program. It has substance, very good actors (you feel like they are real people) I even tape 3 in a roll and then watch them all together. I feel like I am there. This program has depth and you are not giving it a chance. I watch a lot of TV and I have never been so disappointed!!!!!!!!
Absolutely worth watching, Don’t cancel!!! Great acting from those young actors. Give them a break!!!!!!
Please don’t cancel Rise! It’s a great show!
Please do not cancel! This show great and right for today’s world. Need to promote more as many hadn’t heard of it.
“Rise” was one of the few drama series worth watching. It is well written, well performed, has relevant content, and is very engaging. Bring it back, please!