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.
A Great show, funny, witty, fast paced and very enjoyable. Please give this show a second chance, with a good time slot it will do great, not to mention Vegas could use the money.
i just watched the entire season and couldn’t pull myself away. the show was so entertaining and smart. has everything good tv should have. i am so sick of great tv being canceled and the crap they replace it with. be smart, bring it back!! somebody pick it up, DO SOMETHING!!
This show was great!!! My husband and I put it on DVR every friday!!! PLEASE bring it back, it was funny, witty, and they always solved the case.
This show was great! Everyone at my work agrees
they need to make a 2nd season as it is a great show just dont change the time as it is hard for people how work all day to keep up on where you are moving the tv show to. please dont give up on this show i love it. makes me want to go to school to be a lawer
Do not cancel this show!!!!One of the best on TV. Do you hear me CBS?!?!?!?!
I don’t tape this show – I ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO WATCH IT!!!!!!!!
You betcha, the show should be renewed. My wife and I love it. Well written and the good actors. Please bring it back. Tom
This is a GREAT show with GREAT actors change the time slot. It was on to late maybe so try earier or before blue bloods or hawaii five-o.Do something but PLEASE DONT cancel it.
Yes they should absolutely have another season. What a great show, just don’t change the time this year. Give it a chance. Two amazing actors.
My husband and I love the show. We think the actors are perfect and they make us laugh and think serious. We always looked forward to watching the next episode…and now we are looking forward to watching the next series….I hope they bring it back. IT IS A GREAT SHOW!!!! better then most of the stupid sitcoms they have on.
The executives know nothing. Even a chimp could judge shows by the numbers only. Put this show in a good time slot and it will kick some serious tail. But of course there is some insipid, dull, slow, poorly written replacement they are breathlessly waiting to use instead. Typical. I’d like to be able to buy the great shows that they want to cancel and produce them on another channel. If only………
I have loved the show from the beginning. I just think its on a lousy night. Friday is tough because most people are out.
I DVR the show and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! PLEASE….FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD IN THE WORLD, BRING BACK MY SHOW!!!!!!!
I love this show. I really hope they bring it back. I got hooked on it! Please bring The Defenders back for another season!!!!!!
This show was awesome! It was informative, humorous, dangerous, and entertaining! Don’t fail the fans!! Bring it back!!!!
We really enjoyed this show and wish they would not cancel it !