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.
We loved the show and hope that it returns.
I absolutely love this show! By far my favorite drama series!! I will be so bummed if they cancelled it. The characters are great.
I hate the “rating score” that is done for all tv shows–because some shows at times get a low score , it gets cancel and it should not be cancel.–there is a lot of reason the score is low, maybe at some time someone can not whatch because they are in the hospital or the tv brokes down etc..so good shows like my favorit “the Defenders” gets cancel –I think this is “SO SO WRONG” they show give it a few years before they cancel it–“CBS” did this afew years ago when they cancel a great show ” GHOST WHISPER”They… Read more »
Hello, we are from the Netherlands and we liked the serie very much! It’s not that it should get an Oscar, or is it an Emmy, but it’s funny and something different from all the CSI-like shows. But you know, they even quit Deadwood…
We loved this show! Please don’t cancel it!!!
We loved the show we hope to see it next season!!!!
My husband and I love the show, and would hate to see it cancelled. They need to stop moving the show to different slots on different days. We’ve missed a couple episodes because we didn’t know it was airing at a different time and day! Leave it alone!
Loved the show!! Very entertaining.
This is a great show. I do hope they keep it on. Like one viewer said she hoped some would lead to continuations next season. I would even watch the reruns if there were any.
The Defenders is one of the best shows that CBS has, it is intellegent, and funny with a great script with the greatest cast. They would make a big mistake canceling it. The problem is alot of people in the world want to watch sex and killing. Sad KEEP THE SHOW ON THE AIR PLEASE.
The Defenders is a terrific show!! My husband and I watch it every night it comes on. I am a Jim Belushi fan and think he does a wonderful job as a Vegas attorney. Jerry O’connell is is the perfect partner for this series. I am with my husband and asking CBS to please not cancel this show.
The Defenders is one of the best shows that CBS has, it is inteligent, and funny with a great script with the greatest cast. They would make a big mistake canceling it. The problem is alot of people in the world want to watch sex and killing. Sad KEEP THE SHOW ON THE AIR PLEASE.
I love the Defenders!! Jim and Jerry make a great team. I love how Jim speaks to the jury. It is one of the best shows I have ever watched. My wife and I am pleading with CBS do not cancel the show. Please!!!!
The Defenders is a fantastic show. The chemistry between the characters is excellent, the storylines are well done, and the episodes are legally accurate. As an attorney I love the show. Unfortunately, the American public has once again proven that the collective intellect is unable to rise above the level of reality TV shows. KEEP IT ON THE AIR!!!
We loved the show…. Friday night might not be the night for this type of show should of left it on Wed or Thursday night. We hope to see it back. p.s. we don’t watch a lot of TV but this caught us and enjoyed it very much…