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 was really enjoying everything about this show. I loved it on Saturday night, too. Even if I’m out I always taped it for later viewing. Too bad it is getting bumped for dumb reality show or something other equally stupid. The Firm had decent writing and decent acting. I can’t believe the audience won’t know what happens with the Tommy Marotta friend, etc…!!! There has to be something on for non-stupid viewers – there’s soo much stupid and MINDLESS reality programming on it’s absurd. Really, quit dumbing down TV!!! Leave The Firm. Just me
Loved THE FIRM.
we loved the show it always got bumped for some dumb assed event or another show we were waiting for the next show when the olympics started and thats the last we heard we liked it on saturday nights i dont know how the ratings could be bad its a great show i hope they bring it back ps there is no puncuation because i cant type
We loved this show. I think it should get another chance!
I LOVED THIS SHOW!!!
I hope something is done about the cancellation of this show.
It was finally something we could watch with out worrying about
vulgarities.
Please bring it back.
This show was awesome! Bring back season 2
I enjoyed the show and would like to see it continue.
I thought the firm was one of the best shows on TV. Where is season 2? Is. It coming back to TV or can you buy it on DVD. I loved the show.
I can’t believe it. I saw it was getting exiled to Sat and NBC looking like it wanted to bury it, but it was among my favorite shows. How stupid can they be. Of course they will lose ratings if they keep oving it around and not showing it when it is expected to be seen.
I certainly hope that NBC reconsiders canceling The Firm. It was one of the best shows on TV. I am so tired of watching reality TV as well as vampires and other weird creatures. It was wonderful to have something entertaining and even thought provoking. There was finally a show my husband and I could agree on other than 60 minutes and Dallas. Please bring it back.
Please at least complete the existing drama of the show even if only in web episodes
This was absolutely the best show on TV – please bring it back!!!!!!!
Love The Firm , hope it runs for another season.
What do you mean “IT’S CANCELLED!!!” Everyone I know loves this show.
It’s my favorite show! hope it continues
i cannot believe you cancelled the firm. if ncis and ncis la wasn’t on nbc i would not
watch nbc.
you leave the episode on the 22nd chapter, how fair is that