NBC has cancelled the Thursday airings of their low-rated legal series, The Firm, and sent it packing to Saturday nights at 9pm beginning February 11th.
The Firm follows attorney Mitch McDeere (Josh Lucas), his wife Abby (Molly Parker), and their daughter Claire (Natasha Calis), as they emerge from the witness protection program after 10 years. They relocate to Washington, DC to restart their lives but problems from the past quickly resurface. The show’s cast also includes Callum Keith Rennie, Juliette Lewis, Tricia Helfer, and Shaun Majumder.
NBC had high hopes for the legal drama but it stumbled in the ratings right from the start. The two-hour premiere of The Firm registered just a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.32 million viewers. The numbers got even worse once the show moved to Thursday nights and, for the past two weeks, has only mustered a 0.8 rating with fewer than three million total viewers.
It’s no surprise that NBC is banishing The Firm to Saturday nights with ratings like these. Grimm repeats will fill the Thursdays at 10pm timeslot for the immediate future. Starting March 1st, the peacock network’s new drama Awake will take over.
While it looks highly unlikely that NBC will purchase a second season of The Firm, it seems certain that viewers will get to see all 22 episodes of season one.
If The Firm had been a typical network show, the episode order probably would have been cut down to 13 installments because of the low ratings. However, NBC’s deal for The Firm is unique and a bit more like the one the network had for Merlin, the supernatural drama produced by the BBC.
Sony and Entertainment One partnered to produce The Firm, primarily for the overseas market. Thanks to pre-sales and Canadian production tax credits, the cost of producing the series was already paid for and NBC was able to pick up the show for a greatly reduced licensing fee, just like any other secondary buyer.
If The Firm had been a big success, NBC would have made quite a profit on the series. As things worked out, the network may still be making some money on the deal or at least hasn’t lost much.
Will there be a second season? That depends on Sony and Entertainment One, not NBC.
What do you think? Do you like The Firm? Do you think it should continue?
Image courtesy NBC.
I can’t believe you’re cancelling this show. It’s one of the best shows on tv. I believe you are making a very big mistake
i love this show, please don’t cancel it. it actually uses your mind, it’s “feel good” tv.
I really love the show. In comparison with other shows it has a really good story! Please continue the show on an other network!
I really enjoy watching this show. I like everything about it. I’m not a fan of lawyer shows but this is so different. This is one of my favorite shows.
Please continue with the series. The characters are great!
great show!!
i think the show is terrific and look forward to watching it – especially josh lucas
I enjoyed watching “The Firm” when I could find it. How can a network expect any kind of fan following if they don’t advertise when it is on? Saturday night is where you put a show to die. With the 22 episode investment, they should have put it in a a better time slot, or at least kept it on the same day…it premiered on Sunday, then moved to Thursday with very little advertisement,now I had to look on the internet to find out where it was moved.
I loved the show! I don’t know why it’s being moved or canceled. Why can’t NBC give it longer to get more popular … word of mouth (for one) … all the actors are great, love Josh Lucas and Juliette Lewis and the others. The story lines are very interesting, the acting is good and it’s different; very likable; can see it evolving and keeping me “hooked” and can’t wait to see the next episode! Please bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My girlfriend and i watch this show religiously. We love this show. I don’t want it to be cancelled at all. It keeps me on the edge of my seat and i can’t wait until the next episode.
I love the show! The cast is great and the story is great! It doesn’t resemble the typical TV dramas!
Both my wife and I have followed the show with interest. Don’t cancel on us!!
I love The Firm. Have not missed an episode. I watch very little prime time TV, but do try to watch the premiere episodes of new series.
The Firm and Revenge are the only new shows I am regularly watching!
I love the firm…they shouldn’t cancel it please..
Look forward to each episode…had to watch catch up because could not find it in tv listings. Hope NBC keeps it on a consistent night so I can plan to watch it. Only program I plan to watch this season. Tired of reality television. Well done with intertwined plot lines…hope it is not cancelled!!!