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.
Finally, a decent series comes along and is cancelled. I am a writer, currently doing a subprime series. I am on a very short list of those without a non-disclosure, on the board of New Century, for 10 years.
This season was disappointing. There were way too many shows introduced at the same time, leaving the viewer to choose old vs new shows, unless they can record 4 at one time. Ridiculous. This show should have a chance.
This is by far one of the best TV shows that we have seen in some time. Keeps you on pins & needles for the whole show. Whenever we finally get something good, it gets cancelled!!!!!
I agree Larry, My wife in I fall in love with NBC shows periodically and they all seem to last maybe a season. I knew this was going to happen because I liked the show =(.. as went Journeyman and the Event
Good entertainment for a Saturday night. Would hate to see it end.
Are you serious? I finally find a show worth watching on TV and they cancel it? It was so good! We loved it!
I love the Firm, and I don’t understand how people don’t like it its suspenseful, and the acting is great. Please give it one more season to see if can do better.
Please do not cancel it; I love it. Give it another season, maybe it needs time to catch on. I never had anything on Saturday to watch until The Firm was added.
The Firm…love the show and hope it will not be cancelled. Sat. night…just DVR it.
I think it is one of the best shows i have seen lately if not the best. I also love Crimnal Minds and Law and Order. I hate all of those reality shows they are so aimed at morons and are very stupid in my opinion
pleeeeezzeeee! do NOT cancel this terrific show! There are too many crappy ones on prime time now. At least this program is semi-realistic and most of all a real nail biter!
I love this show! It is hands down one of my favorites. From the time it starts, I am captivated for the whole hour and then look forward to the next chapter. Makes me so sad that it looks like it will get cancelled.
The Event should not have been cancelled. The Firm has not been cancelled yet & I hope it is not b/c it is an excellent legal thriller & josh lucas is GREAT!!
Keep The Firm. It is an amazing show. Great acting and excellent subplots each week.
I absolutely love this show! I want a second season. Josh Lucas and all of the characters are great. The stories are thrilling and keep my attention. This is one of my favorite shows, and I am a 28 year old female. Please keep this show alive! The fans of this show are loyal, and we want more!
Best show on tv. I do like it on saturday nights. There is so many stupid shows on tv that it doesnt surprise me when an amazing show comes on, the network doesnt recognize a good one. Better advertising and maybe a better time slot would work. SAVE THIS SHOW!!!!
Fantastic story. Please keep it on.