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 show was amazing. And I hope they make a season two.
As for why people didn’t watch it? It didn’t have many advertisements on television and online. Sometimes it would play at the same time as very popular shows which is why people would watch the “more” known shows at the place of giving The Defenders a chance. I don’t think they had the right chance to shine. Every episode of The Defenders is intertaining, the actors are amazing, the script is well written and witty and filmed in Las Vegas? How can you beat that?
5 stars
Geat show . I want it back
Great show and Belushi at his best!! Why do the good shows get canceled? My feeling is that it should be brought back in a good time slot.
Thanks,
Dan
I loved The Defenders!!! When it moved to Friday it was on way too early. It should be no earlier then 8:00 pm so those that are getting home from a week of work have time for dinner and clean up then relax and watch a good Friday show. Friday has been lame as far as good television shows go, so it was great to have John Belushi and Tom Selleck on Friday TV. Please reconsider and put this show back on the Fall schedule.
Thanks,
Lila L.
This was my favorite show. I just couldn’t wait to see it. – Please, Please bring it back.
Please bring back The Defenders.There is not many good shows on tv anymore,and Thhr Defenders was one of the good ones.Seems like they leave the junk shows on,and take the good ones off.PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
The Defenders was one of the number one shows I watched I loved loved loved it. Please give it another chance.
My daughter and I enjoyed watching The Defenders. I do hope that it will be back for a second season. I think James Belushi and Jerry O’Connell make a good team.
Why do they always take good shows off and leave the bad ones on.
I really enjoyed watching The Defenders, and am hoping it returns this coming season.
Why is it that some lousy shows stay on the air, and they take something good off. I could name a dozen bad shows that are on year after year. Who watches The survivor or the Amazing Race all the time. A waste of good television stations.
James Belushi is great and so is his partner Oconnell.
Bring back the Defenders!!!! Great story lines and great cast. Some of us out here are sick of reality shows. Give us a reason to watch the network channels once in a while. Maybe that way, everyone won’t be watching USA, TNT & A&E for decent, entertaining TV shows!
Really enjoyed the defenders hope it comes back for a second season
Best program in years! So many areas of real life these days are so frustrating, it was rewarding emotionally to watch the Defenders champion the little guy and make it “right”. False as it might be, it left the viewer feeling hopeful that sometimes things work out fair. Sunday night would be a great slot … start the work week off just a little less cynical.
What do most people do on Friday night? This is a great program and when a network wants to get rid of a great show they know how to do it. CBS needs to pull their heads out. Wednesday night (my time 2.9, we need to make room for a nonsense reality show so let’s move this one to Friday 1.5 & 1.3. Well manipulation is the new order of life. Too bad CBS you now suck more than ever
Dear CBS
Please bring back The Defenders show on the air. It’s a good show.
Sincerely
John Hill
Great show shame it wasn’t on a more well known channel.I found it by chance.I never saw it advertised on any channel on sky. Shame.