Back in the 1960’s, CBS had a successful courtroom series starring E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed. Now, CBS has premiered a very different legal TV show with the same name, The Defenders. The first one ran for four seasons. Will the new version outlast it or be quickly cancelled?
The Defenders follows a pair of lawyers operating out of Las Vegas. They’ll do just about anything for their Sin City clients, often taking on cases no one else will touch, and try to keep their sanity while doing it. The new TV show stars Jerry O’Connell, Jim Belushi, Jurnee Smollett, Tanya Fischer, and Gillian Vigman.
In its first week on the air, The Defenders dominated its timeslot with a 2.9 in the coveted 18-49 demographic and 12.2 million total viewers. That put the new show in first place in both categories and essentially doubled the performance of ABC’s new law show, The Whole Truth.
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On the downside, Defenders did lose 27% of the demo audience from lead-in Criminal Minds. It also lost viewers during the hour but that wasn’t huge. In the same timeslot, last year’s CSI: NY scored a much better 4.0 and 15.06 million.
Ultimately though, The Defenders had a solid premiere (especially if you compare it to Whole Truth). If they can retain or grow the audience, CBS should be quite happy with this new drama. They certainly can use it since some of their returning dramas have been around for quite some time and have been showing audience declines.
But, what do you think? Did you tune in? Is The Defenders a show that you’d watch week after week or would you rather see it cancelled?
Image courtesy CBS.
Do not cancel this show. Not very many good shows but this one is really good.
I’d love to see you give the show a permanent timeslot and a fair shot at making it. Switching shows up is a kiss of death, and you know this. And this would be one more reason I turn to cable networks for series. USA, TNT and FX don’t cancel shows before they’ve given them ample time to see how well it’s received.
I love the show and am happy with it’s new time spot. I was a fan of the original Defenders back in the 60’s but I find the new version a lot better. I have always been a big fan of Jim Belushi. The cast work so well together you have both drama and humor which makes the show well worth watching. We need more humor in our lives.
It is awesome to have a show like The Defenders’
Please do not cancet it.
We have watched every show.
They are a great tem and make you feel good just watching it.
I think it is a great show. The plots are different and the scenes are great and the character are great together. It’s not the same old “serious” lawyer show.
Our whole family enjoys The Defenders, a great show. Last time we saw it was before February 4, 2011, and have been looking for it to come on. The cast is great, and we enjoy the humor, combined with drama. Please do not cancel this show. Thank you, RC
For the first time in a very long time I finally love a tv show. I’ve been looking every where for this show. First it announced it was being moved to Fridays, starting February 4, 2011. I even saved that date on my calendar. I love Jim Belushi, and Jerry O’Connell and the whole cast. They are vantastic and I love the humor combined with the drama. This is the only show like this. It is light hearted not all that dark drama you see on the other channels. I’m sick of those shows. Please, Please give this show another… Read more »
Please let us know what you are going to do with this show and quit moving it around.
This was at the top of my favorite list when it started. As of late the “writers” need to get
busy & give this wonderful cast better scripts so they are not cancelled.
This is a well rounded show with drama and comedy. Don’t cancel it please. This is the first year in a long time there has been some really good hour long shows on TV and could you not put them on at the same time as the other new good hour programs on the other large networks. Thank you.
DO NOT CANCEL. This is a fun show.
I cant believe I waited 2 weeks to watch the Defenders on thier new night (friday) only to disappointed with a rerun…CBS get with the program!!! The Defenders RULE!!! canceling them would be a a bonehead mistake!!!!
This show brings our family of 5 together, we find it funny, serious and also a famly show. Please do not cancel such a good show. True entertainment is hard to find on television today, so now that you are offering it, please again don’t cancel it. Thank you
We live in a household of 6 adults and we have watched every show and look forward to many more. Its nice to see people bringing justice for the average guy. PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THE SHOW.
Please do not cancel the Defenders. Both my wife and I love to watch this show. This is one show we both can watch together.