Both CBS and NBC have launched new TV shows that revolve around smart blonde women who hold important government positions in Washington, DC. CBS’ Madam Secretary has already been renewed for a second season. What will happen to NBC’s State of Affairs? Will it be renewed or cancelled?
State of Affairs follows a top CIA analyst (Katherine Heigl) who assembles the President of the United States’ Daily Briefing (PDB), weighing the vital security issues that face the nation. She has a close personal relationship with the commander-in-chief (Alfre Woodard) as she was once engaged to the president’s now-deceased son. The rest of the cast of this dramatic thriller includes Adam Kaufman, Sheila Vand, Cliff Chamberlain, Tommy Savas, and David Harbour.
Taking over for NBC’s highly-rated series The Blacklist, State of Affairs debuted in November to a healthy 2.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.69 million viewers. It was a solid start that was no doubt aided by its strong lead-in The Voice. Some people were also possibly expecting to find a new episode of The Blacklist in the timeslot instead.
In week two, despite still having a strong lead-in, State of Affairs’ ratings dropped more than 36% to a 1.4 in the demo with 5.39 million. They rose up a bit in week three but have been falling ever since. Last week’s installment hit new series lows with a 0.7 in the demo and 3.62 million viewers.
Though NBC had high hopes for this series, State of Affairs is just not measuring up. The network is poised to finish airing the 13 episode season (there are four episodes remaining after tonight’s) but it’s hard to imagine that they’d consider renewing it for a second season with poor ratings like these.
NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt recently said, “I’m disappointed in what it’s been doing [in the ratings] the last couple of weeks… It’s a show that I think is a really fine show, so I’m scratching my head a little bit about why we can’t get more people to be there for it.”
There’s still time for the numbers to improve but it doesn’t seem likely they’d be good enough to save the show. Hopefully the season finale will offer viewers some measure of closure to the ongoing storylines.
But, what do you think? Do you like the State of Affairs TV show? If you ran the network, would you cancel or renew the series for a second season? How would you improve this show if it was renewed?
Love this show! Please give it a chance. The actors are great together and it just works.
I love the show, give it a chance. You have it up against some really good shows, it new and still has a lot of followers. It intense, exciting, keeps you on the edge of your seat. One of the best shows out there as far as I am concerned.
Really got into it. Hope you will give it another season. Enjoy ALL the actors.
It never ceases to amaze me the garbage that renews season after season but the good shows get dropped like hot potatoes. I really like State of Affairs. I think it should use some extra plot twists in the personal lives of the characters but that generally takes time anyway. I tried watching a couple episodes of Madame Secretary – found it extremely boring and unable to sit through the entirety of either episode. Boggles my mind how that show stays yet S.o.A. will probably cancel for poor ratings. I agree with others who have said to give it another… Read more »
I acknowledge being very fond of Blacklist (mainly because of Spader), and hope it returns. State of Affairs is not all bad, has some good points, but on the whole, seems both far fetched, and relatively unbelievable. For a nation that loves vampire movies, maybe that’s ok. Me, I like realism, my favorite shows have been: The Wire, The Hour (British), The Shield, Boss, and particularly, Rush, not because of the obvious dysfunctionality of the hero, and his blatant drug addiction, but because it is sufficiently unorthodox, to be genuinely entertaining. I enjoyed Ray Donovan, hope it comes back, and… Read more »
Keep the show!!! The story line is relevant, exciting and the acting is great! I usually don’t watch TV but this show has me hooked!
Keep it. One of my favorites!
I absolutely LOVE this show. I look forward to each episode!! It’s even better than Scandal and 24. I like the CBS’s Madam Secretary BUT I could take or leave it. It’s positively boring compared to State of Affairs. Everything about the show is clever. Pure great entertainment!! Please don’t cancel this show!!!!
I don’t mean to play the part of the troll, but I’m always astonished how every time one “Cancel or Keep” articles comes up, everyone is “Keep!” or “Renew. I love this show.” It’s like there’s no show tvseriesfinale.com readers don’t like, even a show as awful as State of Affairs.
The show has poor ratings because of katherine heigl plain and simple. It started with her complete dis of all the now superstars on the movie “knocked up” and her arrogant non acceptance of the award on Greys. State of Affairs should replace her and the show would be great. To many people want to see her fail…just sayin.
Keep State of Affairs. It’s solid. It’s a sad commentary that programs are tossed after a couple of episodes when the numbers deflate a little. What happened to giving it more than a season or two? They should keep it for the times slot Blacklist vacates during the show season!! What is wrong w these people? Don’t they see a great show, great cast like the viewers? I say fire the people who want to get rid of it. It’s good!!
I like the show, and though I at first started watching it to see what was filling in for The Blacklist, I actually think it is a lot more realistic and “riveting” (though I still like The Blacklist). I hope it doesn’t get cancelled on a cliffhanger episode (like CBC did several years ago to “The Border”, which was a great Canadian show). I hope State of Affairs gets renewed for another season.
Just catching up on the season – a bit slow to start but now I am loving it! Renew for sure!
I have been catching up on State of Affairs and I really, really like it. I think the actors are all great……….. I hope they renew it…
Yes, give the show a chance. It’s very good and should be supported as
the ratings grow.