Tonight marks the final episode of The Defenders for the season. How likely is the CBS freshman series to be back next fall with season two?
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 TV show stars veterans Jerry O’Connell and Jim Belushi as well as Jurnee Smollett, Tanya Fischer, and Gillian Vigman.
For its premiere, the series 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 now-cancelled, The Whole Truth.
Unfortunately, The Defenders’ audience slowly eroded over the course of the season and by January had hit a new low of a 1.5 rating in the demo and 6.81 million viewers. CBS switched the series to Fridays in February and, not surprisingly, the ratings got worse. On Fridays, Defenders has averaged a 1.3 demo rating and that’s worse than what now-cancelled Medium was getting in the same timeslot.
If you look at the season averages, The Defenders is one of CBS’ worst performers. Though the network has not officially cancelled it yet, it is hard to imagine that CBS execs would consider renewing it for a second season.
What do you think? Should The Defenders be cancelled? Why do you think the series hasn’t attracted a bigger audience?
Image courtesy CBS.
I love The Defenders!! I hope it gets renewed for another season. It’s a great show that has mystery, humor and awesome chemistry between the characters. Please don’t let it go.
There is so much going on in the beginning of the network seasons. I was finally in the groove with my favorites shows, then they are moved or pre-empted for something else. I love Jerry O’Connell and Jim Belushi, they are so excellent, as well as the rest of the cast.
I love this show, please CBS, don’t cancel it. I have been a Jim Belushi fan for as long as I can remember. Jerry and Jim work well together.
I love this show. I hope it does not get cancelled.
My whole family loves this show and really hope it will not be cancelled. We think if it is given another season, more people would watch it because it made to a 2nd season. Give it another chance!
I LOVE THIS SHOW PLEASE GIVE IT ANOTHER CHANCE
This show was a surprise and much better written than anticipated for a legal drama set in Las Vegas. It is a well written show, one of the best legal drama in years. I hope that it is given more of a chance.
I really love the show. I have not missed and episode. Please bring this back.
We enjoyed the show. Will be sorry if it is not renewed.
Please please PLEASE bring this show back! It’s an excellent program!
I love this show I wish they would keep it on, I work late on Wed and usually go out on Fridays but would watch it on CBS.com every week if I didn’t get to watch it on TV…. Please reconsider, such a great show and Jim and Jerry are great!
I love the show as well, I watched it every week that I got the chance. I think it would do best if it was on a better night like thursday, i used to love watching csi back in the day but i’d rather watch the defenders anyday over any of the csi shows. I know on thursday i would watch the shows from 7 to 9 and then find something else.
My husband and I love this show. It’s not your ordinary, slimy, dark courtroom drama. It is a fun show to watch and the dynamic between Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell is great. It would be a shame to lose this show.
Me too… I love it!!!
One of my favorite shows and haven’t missed an episode. The Friday nite slot is not good and for us Wednesday is ideal.
I love this show! I don’t think there is anything else like it funny & dramatic. Give it a chance.