Bones has been a quiet hit for FOX but the same can’t be said for its spin-off, The Finder. FOX has now cancelled the low-rated series after one season.
The Finder is a procedural series that revolves around a man (Geoff Stults) with the extraordinary ability to help people find the unfindable. Other castmembers include Maddie Hasson, Mercedes Masohn, and Michael Clarke Duncan.
The spin-off debuted on January 12th to a disappointing 1.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 5.50 million total viewers. It was fourth in its Thursday night timeslot right out of the gate and lost nearly 30% of the all-important demo from its compatible lead-in, Bones. This was not a good start.
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Things picked up a bit in the following weeks, thanks in large part to the show having FOX’s blockbuster American Idol as a lead-in. Still, the numbers weren’t as high as they should have been.
After seven weeks on the air, FOX put Finder on hiatus and then moved it to Friday nights, giving its Thursday timeslot to Touch. If The Finder could maintain a healthy percentage of its viewers after the switch, it would likely garner a renewal.
But that didn’t happen and Finder’s numbers dropped like a rock. In its first Friday airing, the freshman series attracted a 1.1 demo rating — an episode-to-episode loss of 53% — with just 4.03 million viewers. The numbers for future episodes fluctuated a bit but didn’t really get any more encouraging. The network could do just as well or better by running cheaper reality programming.
The season finale of The Finder is set to air this Friday night and there won’t be any episodes after that. Hopefully the producers saw the writing on the wall early enough and won’t leave viewers hanging with any major unresolved storylines.
What do you think? What went wrong with this show? Why do you think The Finder failed to attract a bigger audience? Was cancelling the series the right decision? How would you have fixed it?
The Finder is a great show.
And as others have mentioned; I think this show would be great on USA Network! The Finder is rather similar to Psych (which I also watch) and is loosely similar to another show that was on the network (Monk).
I think The Finder and Psych being on the same network would be great and would help both shows. But, this makes too much sense for TV execs so it will unfortunately never happen.
It’s a good thing there are lots of books to read. The more reality programming that is put on tv the less my tv is on. Good for saving energy costs anyway.
You guys are doing our intelligence a dis-service by cancelling The Finder… especially when you take the op to put more bad reality crap on the airwaves… your karma will suffer. I really like all the characters on the Finder; smart, sharp and finally a unique new angle and subject matter for us to consider and enjoy… you had to think that when you started! I think the person who suggested you run it this summer had a good idea, give people another chance to see it… I always had to seek/make time days later to watch this after accidentally… Read more »
Please don’t cancel the Finder! It’s a smart, witty, and fun show! So many people I’ve talked to didn’t know about the show but are interested in watching it. You hardly gave the show a chance to pick up viewers. You have to remember that you began airing it in the middle of the year when people are not thinking about watching new shows! Put it on this summer… I bet it’ll gain a huge following! Please don’t be so quick to give up and fill the slot with trashy reality tv!
This is a great show and Fox is cancelling???
Obviously I willhave to stick with CBS for good taste and good comedy!
Losers
One of the few shows I actually rush back to watch gets cancelled. I’ve never watched reality TV and probably never will. I don’t want to see stupid actual human beings playing out scenarios, I want to see smart well-written fiction.
From my point of view, you’re following the numbers but not seeing the longer term result, I {and I’m sure there are ample others out there like me} will be watching less of your channel because you’ve decided to fill the gap with cheap and dirty non-sense. [I refer to all reality TV, to be clear]
so disappointed, i loved this show so much. seriously, reality tv sucks, watching a bunch of idiots get drunk and have sex, and get paid for it, does not qualify as good tv. the finder was different and fun, and actually made people use their heads. should have at least got a second series.
I really liked The Finder. I HATE reality TV. If that’s what Fox puts on, I will definitely turn to another network. The Finder is so much better than Touch. 🙁
We’ve either have become accustomed to cheap, demeaning “reality TV”, or we have completely lost our collective good-taste in TV programming. “The Finder” was a witty, engaging and amusing series. Its premise, the collection of characters and the chemistry amongst them made for good TV. I am not disappointed at Fox for ceasing to support this series but rather, I am disillusioned that we continue to collectively support dreadful programming which then generates even more shoddy shows.
bye Fox im done you can run more reality shows i will not watch anything on fox again The Finder was a good show you wont give it a chance if it doesn’t do big numbers out the gate its gone Screw You Fox
Way to go fox the finder was a great show. How could you cancel this!
DON’T cancel The Finder. All tv does is put on reality shows. I am SO SICK of them!! If you would quit moving shows around and give them a chance you would get the ratings you want. Move it to USA network. At this rate tv so bad why bother.Whoever decides your programing stinks!!
They better not end this show on a cliffhanger or i’m going to be PISSED
I REPEAT PISSED
Also Renew the show on USA network like other people have suggested
I can’t believe this!
The Finder is the funniest show of all currently running and it quickly became my favorite!
I hate you FOX! I hated you for Firefly but now I hate you even more not sure if it’s possible though :p
They canned Alcatraz and The Finder the only 2 shows I liked for the 2011-2012 season. Fox you stink!!!