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?
I think this says statement says it all
“The network could do just as well or better by running cheaper reality programming”
Reality programming will be the death of TV
Considering that FOX can’t do something as simple as report the news impartially… I find it totally believable that they would take such an interesting show, with such a talented cast, and deep-six if after inept marketing and bad decision making… FINDER was the only good show on FOX, so, guess I’m done watching FOX…
SANDRA FOSTER , I LOVE YOU !
I COULDN’T HAVE SAID IT BETTER ! R.I.P MICHEAL CLARKE , YOU WILL BE MISSED . FOX , HOW DUM CAN YOU CONTINUE TO BE ? WITH ALL THE CRAP THAT YOU AIR , THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW THINGS YOU GOT RIGHT . MAYBE YOU SHOULD CHANGE THE NAME FROM FOX TO HYENA .
I am so sorry to see this show cancelled. This was truly one of the few shows that my wife and I would watch together and both of us enjoyed it. Seriously I don’t know what demographics FOX is looking for but I truly believe that this was family television. The reason that it was probably cancelled was the lack of blood, guts and sex. Come on FOX bring it back and give it a second chance. Of course I don’t know who you can get to replace Michael Clarke Duncan. He played this part beautifully. Maybe you can get… Read more »
I thought it was a great show and just found out that it was cancelled after hearing about the co-stars death I was curious as to its future and found out it was already cancelled. I and my wife are very, very disappointed.
I loved The Finder! Great show! Feel horrible Michael Clark Duncan died. Tbe show has a great cast, great scripts. Sorry to see it go. Much better than the reality show, no talent garbage that’s on today. 🙁
WHAT NO MORE FINDER What am I going to do now my weekly fix is no more. It is so sad that Michael Clark Duncan has died , he was so down to earth in the show and a good role model for the youth of today. This was about the only show that had no bad language or sex. We need more like this. We get fed up with reality shows, sad news programs and programs that have violence combined with sex. BRING ON MORE of the ‘FINDER’ We love it in the UK
So sad that Michael Clarke Duncan passed away. I loved his voice and screen presence. I also enjoyed The Finder and was sorry to see it canceled. As for those so-called “reality” shows; forget about it! They’re nothing more than Trash TV and refuse to watch them. I’m sorry people have been so incredibly stupid enough to keep them going for as long as they have.
Note to Fox executives: How did you all ever get hired in the first place. I would have thought that Fox would have learned something from the “Firefly” fiasco. Why do you air a show then put little effort into advertising it, bounce it around in the schedule and then cancel it because of “low ratings”. GIVE THEM A CHANCE!
You have an opportunity, bring “The Finder” back and make an effort to help it suceed. It’s a good show with a fine and talented cast. It will find a good audience.
ARE YOU KIDDING? THE FINDER WAS GREAT! WE WOULD TALK ABOUT IT AT WORK AND COULD NOT WAIT TILL THE NEXT WEEK! CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S CANCELLED!!! WAS JUST SAYING MONDAY WHEN IT SHOULD COME BACK ON!
GET REAL FOX! LOOK AT THE VOTING!
I know that Mr Duncan past away I would consider revamping the show. Although I will miss his personality on the screen. As for the show it was a diversion from all the murder shows that crowd the TV. Each night. I love to turn on hulu and see all the shows I missed during the week. Finder was on the top of the list. I liked the low violent nature and interesting plot. I miss the show. Fix it please bring it back please.
It’s just like Fox. When they have a good thing, They get rid of it. It’s the last time that I’ll watch your channel. The Find was the only reason for me to watch the network. Because of your news bias and your unfair coverage of your President. I’m out
Thursday! that’s why it failed. Thursday is a rough line up night to go against other stations. I couldn’t find it after a while now I see why, they switched it to Friday. But I love the show. I hope they bring it back, I will miss Michael, a true gentle giant.
Loved the finder. Didn’t know until now, Sept. 4/12 that it was cancelled. After hearing about Michael Duncan’s death, I was wondering how they were going to continue. I guess I can stop wondering. RIP Micheal and may God bless.
Gutted this show has been cancelled! It was something different that made a refreshing change from all the reality (if that’s what you can call it???) drivelling crap that seems to have taken over our screens! RIP Michael – you went out a true star ***