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.
Plz dont cancell it, i love this show. Totally awesome!!!
Finally a decent show comes on TV and they are going to cancel it. Please dont!!!!!! It’s a great show with the only problem being a horrible time slot. Not many ppl watch Friday night tv.
This show should not be cancelled!…It has good potential…9:00 time slot. We need to get away from all these stupid reality shows and even dumber game shows. At least this show has some intellegence and promise…you people are too quick in your judgements here.
NO NO NO NO!!! Don’t cancel! Get rid of a LOT of Reality TV!!! For someone without cable, Sunday nights suck! I’m so sick of reality shows! This is a really great show and Belushi and O’Connell are great in it!
with all the same ol same ol (forensic) stuff on TV this show adds a refreshingly light performance of excellent actors to the small screen. Problem, with audience? Change nights and watch the climb in ratings
Don’t cancel it as it is interestin and better court room drama tahn some other cop/DA shows which have GROSS PLOTS!
DON’T CANCEL THIS SHOW! Jim and Jerry are the new Bing and Bob of Las Vegas 2011 !! These guys rock but are sent to a time slot that doesn’t work for most TV Dramas. The audience that actually spends money and works for a living does not stay at home and watch TV rather spend the time out or with family. This is one working man won’t miss an episode during the week but send it to the DVR on Fridays.
“Defenders” is a fantastic show. Very entertaining. Please, do not cancel it!!!!
I really hope they don’t cancel it. It’s funny with a plot. Love Belushi & O’Connell! Bring it on for season 2!
Please do not cancel this show. We love it. We’re so sick of all these stupid “reality” shows and medical & cop shows. Why not try putting it on at 9pm on monday or wednesday and see how well it does. I’m sure the ratings would improve
I agree totally that the reality shows are filled with a bunch of sick self centered people and should be thrown off tv and not the “Defenders”
No this show should not be canceled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a great show that my whole family watches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do Not Cancel! We love it! We love all the actors and the story line – Delushi & McConnel are a great team in Las Vegas no less – We are 65 & 71 and absolutely love the show! We are tired of reality and stupid comedy – keep this going.
I like The Defenders. Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell are very realistic in their portrayals of Vegas attorneys. CBS needs to give it another shot. There is not much quality TV any more, especially for people like me who doesn’t have cable. Please reconsider and let the show continue. It would be a terrible waste of talent. Thanks.
I like this show. Please don’t cancel it. Need to get rid of some reality shows first.
Do Not Cancell! Keep it going! Cancell REALITY TV!