When The Event was being promoted last summer, the producers made a point of saying that the series would be different from ABC’s failed FlashForward series. It turns out there were more unintentional similarities than they would have liked. Like FlashForward, NBC’s The Event has been cancelled after one season on the air.
The Event follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter) who’s investigating the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend. He slowly begins to uncover a huge cover-up that’s beyond belief. 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 serial drama started out with healthy numbers on September 20th, registering a 3.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 10.88 million viewers. Unfortunately those digits started to fall immediately. The series lost 19% of its demo viewers in week two and another 17% in week three. From there, things basically just got worse and worse.
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NBC announced that they were putting the TV series on hiatus over the holidays and indicated they would give it a relaunch in early 2011. That’s never a good sign and it certainly didn’t help the ratings. The Event lost more than 26% in the demo between its last episode in November 2010 and its first in March 2011. The ratings stabilized but not at an acceptable level.
The Event currently averages a 1.8 in the 18-49 demographic and 5.72 million viewers. As poor as that is, the average is only that high because of the early season numbers.
It’s no surprise that NBC has decided to pull the plug. There are two episodes remaining in the series and thankfully they’ll provide some sense of closure for the devoted fans that hung in there.
What do you think? Why didn’t The Event survive? Why did so many people bail on the series, even before the long hiatus?
Wondering where the rest of your shows stand? Check our NBC cancel/renew page.
Image courtesy NBC.
It was hard to get into in the beginning. It was hard to pick out who would be the lead actor. Jason Ritter, a leading man? The lady doctor with the limp on ER, the lead villain. Not too promising I thought. I really thought it would be cancelled without the mystery being solved (ala Fast Forward), so I was really hesitant to devote my energy toward it. But I’ve been following it since the winter break. It’s been a freight train gaining steam and I’ve been looking forward to it every week. It’s got a “24” – like energy… Read more »
@Tha, fair enough, and I totally respect that. I can say the same thing for Chuck – It’s never been my cup of tea. I don’t think The Event is for everyone. It doesn’t suit all tastes. @Ray, I think the Seinfeld analogy is right on the money. The difference there being that NBC gave that show a chance to find an audience. I think those viewers that tuned out, and seem to be vicious about the show, I don’t get those people. Some people seem to take pleasure in hating it, and I can’t figure that out. First of… Read more »
[…] came down today that NBC was cancelling The Event after one season. The serial drama drew positive numbers at the beginning but they have […]
Honestly, I was into it, but it went on hiatus, and I deleted the episodes I hadn’t yet watched. Why? Because I was 99% sure that this would happen. I stuck with FlashForward (which got so good!) and I didn’t want to lose an investment like that again.
I really wanted to see Sophia get killed and most of the aliens killed. They should have kept this show just for the fact Taylor Cole is in it. Shame but they kept Chuck which is welcome news.
I’m sorry but I just wasn’t into it. The whole sci-fi mystery-like genre I’ve never been into. I hope everybody finds work.
I love The Event. It’s got a great cast and the story is getting better and more compelling. NBC has cancelled, but rumor has it, other companies are looking to pick it up.
I really enjoy the tv show The Event, it keeps me on my toes and in suspence.
You have a set of extremely gifted writers. I feel let down and disappointed if a second season is not commissioned. The great thinking public need to give shows like The Event a chance. Please continue with the show and let it have a decent ending as it deserves more than the plug been pulled on it.
LOL,
Penny.
I really like it. It is mysterious and exciting, smart and interesting.
I hear it’s being shopped around and that Netflix is interested. I hope it gets picked up elsewhere!
I like the series. I am disappointed that it could not get any momentum with viewers. There are so many bad shows out there and this isn’t one of them. I’m not sure why people don’t like it but then some people never liked Seinfield; they didn’t get it; so it’s hard to figure people out.
Absolutely no surprise. The show was a bomb. I’m really suprised they didn’t just call it quits after the fall finale. It was too hard to follow honestly so, The Event actually was cancleing the event. I kept wonering all summer watching Minute to win it. If it wasn;t the 60 secind challlenge then what was it? I got my answer.
This show never should have aired. NBC blew it when they cancelled KINGS after one season. That was a great show!
this show was a big disappointment for me. I watched several episodes trying to give it a chance, but each week it got worse. Loved the stars in it, but the plot/line was terrible!
Irrelevant to NBC, butABC just cancelled Brothers and Sisters ans V.
No surprises here. Frankly I was surprised it ever came back post-Christmas. I find it harder and harder to even give NBC shows a chance anymore, especially on Monday nights.