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.
The good wife, CSI,Two and a Half Men, how i met you mother, and amazing race should be dropped before the Defenders. It is a lot better than those. You should straight up kick two and a half men because charlie is a narcissist that can not control himself. The defenders is a great show and should come around for another series. I don’t know if they add in the viewers to their count that watch in online or record it but all my friends and i watch it online cause of work schedule.
dont cancel the show
I was wondering what happen to the Defenders. I had no ideas it was doing well This was one of my favorite TV Shows. I am really looking forward to it next season.
CBS needs to start actually watching their own shows!! Defenders has been a breath of fresh air and the two leads are fantastic. Have been slowly leaving CBS as must watch TV since Medium left AND CSI Miami has become just plain STUPID! Take last sunday! OMG – they tell the police to lock down the building – go into the room where the shooting occurred thinking this criminal who has been outsmarting them is going to still be in the room – no he is running down the stairs and get this, out an UNGUARDED door and carjacks another… Read more »
My husband and I both love this show. We don’t think it should be canceled. Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell made a great team!! PLEASE KEEP IT ON THE AIR!!
I love this show! I really hope it comes back for another season.
The Defenders is/was one of five TV shows I recorded to ensure I never missed an episode. I can’t believe it did not have a bigger audience.
I love this show. Please do not cancel it.
MY FRIENDS AN D I LOVE THE DEFENDERS…A GOOD SHOW VERY ENTERTAINING..,.. DONT GET RID OF THIS ONE..,,,,
My wife and really enjoy the show, I think Belushi has found a unique niche tying drama in with comedy. All the players in the show were chosen well and we like the interaction.
We both really want to know what happens with his new girlfriend and the bear!!!!
Please keep it on the air.
This is a good show that should not be cancelled. Try one more season and see how it goes
The Defenders was a good entertaining show. Moving it to Friday was a poor decision. Very few programs survive on Fridays unless they are in the 9:00PM CST time slot.
This was a very good show which my wife and I both enjoyed. We don’t feel it should have been moved from Wednesday in the first place. CBS has a lot worse shows than this one!
I love the defenders- very well written!
CBS–this is/was a great show–you guys need to review these comments before making another bad decision.