Tonight marks the last episode of The Event for 2010. NBC plans to relaunch the series in three months, on February 28th, after letting their new series The Cape have the timeslot. Is it a risky move? Not really. Ultimately, they don’t have much choice.
The Event follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter), a young man who’s investigating the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend. He slowly begins to uncover the biggest cover-up in the history of the United States. Others in the cast include Sarah Roemer, Laura Innes, Ian Anthony Dale, Scott Patterson, Clifton Collins Jr., Taylor Cole, Lisa Vidal, Bill Smitrovich, Zeljko Ivanek, and Blair Underwood.
The series debuted in September to decent ratings with a 3.6 in the 18-49 demo and 10.88 million total viewers. That’s a healthy sampling but, considering all of the promotion that NBC put behind it, the programmers were likely disappointed by its third place rank in the timeslot.
While some viewers clearly love the show, more than half who watched the first episode have already lost interest. The Event has been losing viewers, sometimes as much as 15 or 20% in one week, and to date has never shown an increase week-to-week in the demo. The most recent installment garnered just a 1.7 rating in the demo and 5.19 million viewers.
You can blame the network for not doing a better job of promoting The Event but clearly there’s a problem with the series when people who already watch don’t feel compelled to return week after week.
Will this February “relaunch” help? Based on recent TV history, the answer is no. Just look at V and FlashForward. People who were interested in The Event have either already tried it and stuck around or given up on it. Those who haven’t watched previously are very unlikely to give a try because they assume that they’ve missed too much backstory already. On top of that, when the show returns, the ratings will likely be lower than what they are now. By the time The Event returns in February, many casual fans will have already gotten involved with other shows.
The one thing that The Event has going for it is the fact that it’s on NBC. The peacock network continues to struggle and The Event is currently the fifth most-watched scripted program on the network. If things go as expected, it will drop much lower on the list next year. Still, with the exception of The CW, NBC is the only network that would consider giving this series more time. They’ll surely let all 22 episodes air.
The Event returns on Monday, February 28th and will have 12 more original episodes to air at that point. Will there be a second season? We’ll have to wait and see but hopefully the producers will plan ahead and not end the show without any resolution.
What do you think? Does The Event have a chance for survival? What could NBC do to save this show? Anything?
Image courtesy NBC.
I love the show and look forward to it’s return. I do agree though that some episodes drag on and have “Dead Zones” which causes me to some what lose interest. I believe it’s the most intriguing TV show re: Humans vs Aliens having contact since the TV show the “Invaders” with Roy Thinnes which I watched as a kid religiously. I think most people believe there is other life out there some where and are intrigued with the concept of contact with other life forms and what the outcome would be. At least it is for me. That’s what… Read more »
I Hope it does return and conclude. I think the problem is they try to drag a story out way
to long. Flashforward was a great plot but a good example of this. People want answers to the plot. We live in a very rushed world. Come TV world get it right!
Meh. Watched the first two episodes, and the non-linear storytelling just seemed gimmicky. Sure, in the hands of a good writer — and to serve as specific purpose — the technique can be effective. But when it’s just a gimmick — oooh, look at us, we’re EDGY! — no. No thanks. Tuned out after two episodes.
Event is the only show that I watched religiously. I actually put it on my calendar.
I watched all the episodes On Demand. That really helps; I finished each one anticipating the next. So glad to read that it’s coming back. It could use a little humor mixed in. That’s one reason Lost was so great.
The writers do a great job and I think this is the key to the success of the show. The twists and turns of not knowing what is coming next, similar to what kept me watching 24, is great. Keep the mysteries going and upfront tell the audience what has happened or do a summary show with a narrator who talks us through what has happened to create audience comeback. I really like what you’re doing and again the writers are great. The acting is good as you’ve got seasoned actors in this show. Continue your success.
i love the show looking forward to it’s return
I love the show and entrigue to think and want it back. All of the networks are too quick on the trigger to end if they aren’t #1. I watch more than 1 show on TV which means I also watch # 2 through 10 etc (and hate any and all reality shows). Too much time between episodes is what makes people change the channel. NBC—-try back to back shows!!!!
I loved this show …looking forward to its return,its an eye opener for cover ups, hopefully it will return again next season…..
NBC should advertise that the first ten episodes are on OnDemand at least on Comcast. That is where I saw my first show and then watched all the rest right in a row. They were great!!!! That way people can get into the show without having to wait a week in between. Especially the first 3 or 4 episodes when they did the flashbacks. The rest of the episodes really don’t have too many. I can’t wait for it to return!
I am not a fan of Jason Ritter,sorry, he just creeps me out, I don’t relly no why, but I do like “The Event”. After one gets accustomed to all the time jumping, which I agree with most critics ,that it is overdone. I quit watching the show “Lost” because of all its’ flashbacks and flash forwards, but I want to give “The Event ” to change this device, or at least make it less frequent before I throw in the towel. Ilike the concept and the actors,save for Jason are competent and intriguing. I think Jason does a good… Read more »
Yeah, They are bringing back “THE EVENT”. They can’t stop now and leave us hanging. All you other folks need to get on it and watch it when it comes back on. It’s a slow starting one but a good one.
All initial promotion work captured a great deal of excitement. I for one couldn’t wait for the series to begin. The concept of the show was really alluring.
For me, the story movement seems to stall during each show and the characters lack a presence that makes me want to stick with them.
The show has great potential but it lacks the ability to take me on a real adventure.
I will continue watching and good luck. Bob
Interesting show. Disappointed more people are busy watching reality B.S. Seems most scripted TV is on the cable networks now.
The Event is coming back on February 28, 2011 !!
I have enjoyed the serie. Prehaps the flashback scenes are to cumbersome to follow for some viewers. I am waiting for the relauch of the series.