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 hope the Defenders is coming back as it is one of the best shows on TV..Not too violent, a little humor and great acting…………entertaining!!!
Defenders is a great show and the personalities are great together as well. I found this show by accident while surfing and have tuned in weekly ever since. I do not think that there was much advertising on this show as no one else I know has seen it either. Sorry to see it not return.
Love the show, I think the time slot and day didn’t afford the show a chance to hit it off. Once people get a chance to see it I think it would become a great hit. The promos weren’t there to support or create an interest. The only complaint was the make up artist for Jim, it looked caked on. I hope they give it another shot with some good advertizing and they put it in a slot that would give it a chance.
The Defenders is a fresh breath to TV it has comedy and drama combined. The 2 lawyers interact more like brothers than partners. If you had left the show on the original night it started its ratings would have maintained. CBS is constantly scewing with show nights. Friday is a night when most adults unwind and go out. CBS sets programs up for failure.
Like the show, but really love Jim Belushi & the rest of the cast. Please find a stable time slot & bring this show back in the fall.
Bring it back, it was a very entertaining show.
They bounced it around too much! Bring it back!
Keep the Defenders on!! Love the show. Friday is a bad time slot. Move it back to a prime night and advertise more.
i loved the show we miss our friday night flick
please bring it back there are only a few shows worth watching and we need the defenders back
MISS THE SHOW MY HUSBAND AND I NEVER MISSED A SHOW. PLEASE BRING IT BACK. THERE ARE NOT MANY SHOWS THAT CAN MAKE YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD THESE DAYS.
The show was very good I stopped watching it because it was moved and I lost it.
I think CBS can’t leave things alone and give shows a chance.
I saw a teaser for another lawyer team.Very Creative NOT
do not cancel the defenders, its a terrific show with 2 good stars. keep it on and take the garbage off most of the tv stations.
The defenders is a show adults can enjoy without worrying if the kids or grandkids come into the room. Bring it back. It is witty and funny. Great chemistry that was just starting to really show forth.
hope it back on love the show
Enjoy the show. Not as violent as some of the shows in prime time. Great actors , humerous
Think about putting it in your summer replacements and your fall lineup in September different time slot.