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 have been so happy with the Friday nite lineup on CBS. We actually canceled some of our dish channels because we watch CBS shows so often. And we don’t really think we need Netflix either!! I haven’t watched CBS on Friday nights since you stopped showing the woman President show, and started having all the weird psychic stuff!! With Defenders and Blue Bloods on we were very pleased. Put The Defenders on again!!PLEASE, they were nice guys, who solved cases and didn’t look bad doing it either!!
I love the Defenders. Please do not cancel it. It is the best new show this season. The chemistry between the two is great. It is the right combination of comedy & drama. Love it.
Don’t cancel The Defenders!
Please don’t cancel the defenders. I love the show.
So, if anyone hears me please do not cancel this show. It is a bright spot to murder,blood, violence and shock that drives all the other shows. I see it as a little sluggish out of the gate but with the strength of the stars and a crew that is seamless it has nowhere to go but to the top. I would build some advertising about it as a show that still has morals and it is good entertainment to all. Jim and Jerry are naturals together and the Ackroyd addition was over the top. A tour of talk shows… Read more »
We love the show it very entertaining
much better then blood & guts or the
stupid reality shows
why are you stopping The Defenders take another look it was great.
I keep looking for it on all the nights
Please do not cancel “The Defenders”. This show was very entertaining, funny and real joy to watch. We enjoy the characters and our household thought they did an outstanding job in this show. We are very disappointed if this show is cancelled. Please reconsider your decision. Put this show on Wednesday night where there is not such a competition with other shows airing. Thank you, Beverly Mullis
Love the show everyone is right there is drama and some light hearted humor. Jim Belushi & Jerry O’Connell are great together. Keep it in one time slot and people will not have to search around for it and the ratings could remain constant. GREAT SHOW DON’T CANCEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Defender is The Best show, the only reason the ratings went down is because it was moved around so much, it was hard to remember when to watch. Please give it another shot! It’s the Best show out there!!
I really like the Defenders so hopefully it won’t be cancelled..the charactors all work well together
The Defenders was our favorite new show this season. Then it was bumped for various specials, its time-slot was changed and when we finally located it again, 7:00 p.m. on a Friday was not a good time. We rarely watch network tv with its glut of idiotic reality shows, same-old-same-old crime drama, and inane comedy. The Defenders was a fresh look at courtroom drama with a touch of humor. Give it a decent time-slot, don’t move it around and try it for another season. PLEASE.
Bring back the Defenders! Stop moving shows around and the ratings will go up! stop trying to shove down our throats what you ex like!
Please give the Defenders another chance and a better time slot! It is a great mixture of comedy and drama. Jim Belushi has never been better. The characters are three demensional and the stories are interesting.
so if you drop the defenders are you just going to put in another CSI and call it CSI New mexico or Arkansas. REALLY watch the shows yall put out and then decide.