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.
 Loading ... |
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 just found this on Netflix too. It’s a great show that should be picked up by Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime. Any of the 3 could easily make a season 2 or more. And I like the idea that someone had of a family member of Leo’s coming to run the bar & serve as Walter’s handler/manager/accountant/bodyguard/lawyer. They continued Two & a Half Men after Charlie had his meltdown & that show was based on Charlie Harper. Plus The Finder is so much better. It’s ridiculous the stuff that stays on TV vs the good shows that get cancelled.… Read more »
Great idea! We too just found the first season on Netflix and loved it.
I love the series and wish there could be a solution to continuing it. Michael Clarke Duncan will truly be missed as a strong character. Some wonderful story lines blended with comedy.
They need to bring this back. Even if it is only on Netflix. Great show for the whole family. I would love a season 2,3,4…..
They should really make another season. Even though finding a replacement for Michael Clark Duncan is nearly impossible. They could always bring the show back a few months or a year in and he could have died and a “family member could come to run the bar… I just finished watching the first season for the fourth time and I really is one of my favorites. I could have easily been as good as bones. I know a lot of stupid shows that are still continuing even though they suck so I think The Finder could at least get a… Read more »
This show needs to come back it is amazing just found it on Netflix and need to know what happens after we were left with that session one cliff hanger #bringbackthefinder
I Loved the show. There was not a thing wrong with the show . Very good. I loved all the characters. Sorry it didn’t come back another season. I really really loved the show.
I never heard of this show and then saw it on Netflix…OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE THERE ISN’T A SEASON 2!!! This was the first time in a while I was glued to my TV and losing sleep before work because I just could not turn it off. I thought it was a much more fun show to watch than Bones and was so sad to find out there was more. I wish they would bring it back 🙁 Should have given it a second season at least. So much potential
The show would have made it had it been given a second season but the High and mighty tv executives never give good shows a chance. It seems if shows do not have violence in excess they are a no go.
Unfortunately Michael Clarke Duncan who played Leo did pass away which dealt the chance of being picked up by someone else mute.
I enjoyed the finder. It’s difficult to find a good clean show now days. The finder was fun to watch. Both my husband and I watched the whole season on netflicks. Finally was able to afford cable and was looking forward to the new season, very disappointed to find out they canceled the show. 🙁 hope you guys change your mind and continue writing.
they Should never have cancelled. I saw the show and it was awesome and funny, two things I love. I wish they would keep writing. #keepTheFinder
They never leave a show on long enough to be found by the public.
Didn’t one of the characters (lawyer) pass away?
We just found the FINDER and thought it was a wonderful show and thought that the reason it had only one season was because of the death of Michael Clarke Duncan.
It must have been the marketing or advertising or just bad timing, it really is an enjoyable show to sit down and watch.
What an INCREDIBLE show! Unfortunately I had never heard of it until I discovered it on NETFLIX. Now, my wife, children, and every friend we’ve introduced it to is absolutely in love with it though most agree the sexual content/innuendo is unfortunate. Still, it stands as one of the most enjoyable programs ANY of us has ever seen.
I just found this show on Netflix and like so many other people never knew it existed until recently. Poor marketing on the network’s part. I avoid Fox like the plague because of all the dumb reality carp. A year or so ago I came across Bones on Netflix, watched 5 seasons and now I tune in for that show and that one only. After watching the Finder I have to say I loved it, this show would have only gotten better. I find the characters in the finder far more relatable and more enjoyable than the characters in Bones.… Read more »