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.
This is the ONLY programming my family watches on CBS. The Defenders is entertaining, humorous, and thought provoking. It was the best programming on CBS. Exec’s need to give it a chance in a decent timeslot. It could be the next “Cheers” or “Seinfeld”. Remember, each of those shows was given a second chance!
I watch the show from the begaining and Have enjoyed the show alot…was up set that, they say they might cancelled the show, they shouldn’t it such a great show..very enjoyable
Hello – The Defenders is a GREAT TV SHOW. It has everything, great writing, great actors and great execution. I know keep moving it around so nobody can find it. Better yet keep moving it around and don’t tell anyone. I know keep moving it around and if ratings begin to drop, move it to Friday night – where it’s audience is NOT HOME. YEAH, than you can act surprised and cancel it. Why can’t these MORONS just leave it where it started it when it was doing well. Evening timing for some shows are extremely important. This series would… Read more »
We loved the show. One of the few well written shows on TV. Hope it comes back.
WE LOVED this show – not a surprise they’d get rid of it. They keep dumb shows and cut good ones, or create 500 CSI franchises. I mean we love CSI but it is a bit predictable. Too bad execs run companies instead of the people who actually watch.
This was a great show. Really entertaining. I don’t know where CBS gets its stats; everyone who watches this show loves it. There is so much bad TV it was refreshing to see a fast paced, legitimately funny show. Get rid of the moronic sit coms withthe same old tired themes and bring back the The Defenders.
I love this show please renew with season 2
i hope they won`t cancel the defenders, just put it it a time slot everyone can get use to, and leave it alone, i think it`s a good show. who tells you what stays on and what to cancel………………..i think you might ask somebody else or fire them and start over. LEAVE IT ALONE!!!! DO NOT CANCEL IT!!!!!!!!!
WE LOVE THE DEFENDERS AND NEVER MISSED A SHOW. PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE EPISODES IN THE FALL.
Big mistake to cancel
Love da show. Good comedy. Show off Las Vegas for ppls who never been there. Very fun show to watch.
I have no idea why this program would not be re-newed! We have watched it from the very beginning and enjoyed it greatly!!! I’m not sure if the writers or someone decided to alter a couple of things after a few weeks, but I did feel there were slight changes in it at one point that didn’t make it as inviting to us. My husband and I are in our 70’s and again, really enjoyed the program and will be very dissapointed if it does not return! I think it was a fresh view of real life that we don’t… Read more »
Move the defenders on the TNT channel and make at least 12 or 16 episodes for the second season. I will never stop until you make the second season happen.
I certainly enjoyed the Defenders but mainly watched on Thursday night. In fact I was very surprised to find that it moved to Friday.
Not home much Friday but did tape it.
The Defenders is a very good show, one of very few worth watching, and should not be canceled and should remain in ONE timeslot on the SAME day each week so people can enjoy it.