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.
It was good to go and was copying it for my other troops I am stationed with here in Afghan. Bring back season 2. We enjoyed it.
I am a huge fan of The Defenders! Belushi and O’Connell are a great team. This is excellent entertainment and deserves a second chance. Please don’t let a devoted fan down, keep it on the air!
I love the Defenders! It was such an entertaining show! I can’t believe it’s not coming back. Was really looking forward to new episodes! This show should have been advertised more. It truly was great! What a disappointment…all I have to say is bring it back!!
I can not believe this. I thought the show was returning. This show was great and tnt Franklin and Bash are copiers. TNT knew this show had potential thats probably why they copied. Please reconsider.
PLEASE don’t cancel this show! It’s fun and entertaining! 🙂
These guys are hilarious!!!!!
This show was one of the best on tv. Great dialogue and cases. Loved it!!!!!!!!!!1
This show is absolutely AMAZING!
its funny, entertaining, interesting and i can never wait to watch the next episode. the cast is fantastic and it definitely does NOT get the credibility and attention it deserves!
Please Please let the show go on!
Please keep the show on.Jim Belushi was great and Jerry O Connell was great also.They make such a wonderful show. It is a clean show any one can watch without getting embarased. It kept my attention and I couldn’t wait until the next show.
What a shame, this was just a good happy feel good show.
This show wasn’t just entertaining but it kept the audiences attention! Jim Belushi made the show a hit all on his own! The way him n his costar made their cases and won them was just awesome! Please let this come back a second season,just don’t have it on Fridays! People go out!
You finally have a show that is entertaining, two actors who keep your attention and story lines that make you look forward to the next show and you question whether it should be renewed? What are you thinking. These guys are G R E A T.
I love the show, please do not cancel it
i really liked it . i was always entertained during the season.
This is a great show, pelase let season two happen.