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 have to admit the beginning was very hard to follow with all of the jumping around but now I just love this show, so very clever. I can’t wait to watch it every week. Please do not cancel it is getting so interesting now.
I’ve been a big fan of the two series on AMC — Breaking Bad (to return with new shows in about a month or so) and Rubicon (cancelled after the first season). All right, now “The Event” is not the same as those, but it comes close at times in certain ways…..It has some surprises, great characters, good story, excellent acting, and has enough plausibility to hold most viewers. I love the show and look forward to each new episode. I hope the show is renewed for at least one more season.
I LOVE IT AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE
Please ! Please! Keep this show going. It’s the most sophisticated sci-fi since X-files. I can’t watch it the night it’s on, and can’t wait to see on VOD the next day. Love all the actors in it. I’s great casting; story line is intriguing. At least keep it on sci-fi channel.
I love The Event! I really hope NBC doesn’t cancel the show. I have watched it from the very beginning and admit it was a little hard to keep up with all the time shifting. I really enjoy it much better now. It’s the only show I watch on Mondays! Love it!!
I have been watching the event from the begining and love the way it is turning out. it has excitement and intrigue. I look forward to viewing the The Event , it is one of my favorite shows. I truley hope it does not get cancelled.
ive been watching the event from the beginning. i have 2admit, the 1st season was boring, 2me anyway, but i hung in there hoping it would get better and boy has it gotten better. i really enjoy this show. the 1st season was 2erratic w/the time shifting stuff, but this season has been outstanding & i hope they renew it. if not, at least resolve it. i think its gr8 how sofia has taken a new direction. this show deserves another season. i also think v deserves another season but knowing the network execs they will cancel these shows &… Read more »
This is a really great show and should be left on the air. My brother who lives in texas also has enjoyed it. You do have to stick with it and not be distracted. That is what DVR’s are for.
I like The Event because it keeps me on the edge of my seat! I would like it to go on!
They neeed to restart it and quit saying it woll be canceled. Why bother watching it now
I horribly dislike the event. I hope it gets cancelled
If you don’t like it don’t watch it. Why should it be cancelled just because you don’t like it? Some people watch it and enjoy it, me included, so why should you ruin it for them?
If ‘anonymous’ doesn’t like it he/she is entitled to their opinion Joe. Also you should be trying to get more people to watch it, not adopting the attitude of “Why should it be cancelled just because you don’t like it?” – shows need viewing figures….work it out yourself
[…] stayed at that level for the remainder of 2010 and then NBC put the series on hiatus, promising a relaunch in early […]
It looks interesting however I don’t watch anything the first season anymore out of fear i will get interested in a show that will be canceled.
I agree, but it’s a great show and now that I am hooked. It does look good for a renewal. :=(….BUT I hope I am wrong
I like it!!
love The Event. one of the few shows that is exciting and worthwhile watching. Please keep it running.