It’s been a rough road for Mitch MicDeere. Now, it’s come to an end — at least on NBC. The Firm has been cancelled after one season of 22 episodes.
The Firm picks up years after the young attorney (Josh Lucas) made his deal with the mob to take his old crooked law firm down. He and his family have come out of hiding but their problems haven’t gone away. The show also stars Molly Parker, Callum Keith Rennie, Juliette Lewis, Natasha Calis, Tricia Helfer, Martin Donovan, Shaun Majumder, and Paulino Nunes.
The series represented one of NBC’s biggest launches of the season but it misfired right from the start. The two-hour premiere brought in a dismal 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic with just 6.32 million viewers.
When The Firm moved to its regular timeslot on Thursdays a few days later, the numbers got even worse. Week two dropped 29% in the demo and the ratings kept falling in subsequent weeks. After hitting an embarrassing low for a primetime show — a 0.8 demo rating with 2.97 million viewers — NBC sent it packing to Saturday nights.
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The numbers have been awful since that move — even for a Saturday night show. It’s frequently outperformed by movies and crime drama reruns on the other networks.
To date, The Firm has an average of a 0.7 rating in the demo and 2.10 million viewers. On our NBC Ratings Report Card, which measures the relative demo success of shows on the network, the show has a “D-” grade — even after low viewership is taken into account.
On the positive side, 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 eOne 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.
Not surprisingly, The Firm won’t be back on NBC (according to TVWise) because the network has opted not to renew its deal with Sony and eOne. The series could continue to be produced for other markets however and even possibly be picked up by a cable channel here in the US. There’s been no word on the show’s fate beyond NBC so, for now, we’ll have to wait and see.
There are 22 episodes in the first season of The Firm and tonight’s marks the 17th. Right now, the finale is slated for June 23rd. If a second season isn’t going to be produced, hopefully the last episode will supply enough closure for the few million faithful viewers who’ve kept watching.
What do you think? Are you sorry that NBC isn’t continuing the show? Would you watch on another channel or purchase season two on DVD?
Image courtesy NBC.
Yes i would, I love the show very much so, not happy that it ended the way it did but i wouldve kept watching it over and over. I feel like i have grown to be one of the family members in their family. Im surprised that the ratings were soo low not sure why but its an Excellent show!!!!!!!…..PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR ATLEATS PUT THE NEXT SEASON ON DVD FOR THOSE WHO LIKE IT SO WE CAN BUY IT………..
The Firm was one of the best series of the season! We made sure to record each week – as did our friends. We are all sad to see it dropped by NBC. Makes me wonder how/who rates shows?
If it reappears on Cable, we will be thrilled!
I really, really love this show, please please, produce for us season two. its an awesome show, pleeeeeeaaaaaseeeeee
Why oh Why do they have to keep killing the good shows? and produce even more shows that only last for a season or at best 2 while crap get to keep airing for ages ;(
******* people with bad taste that the tv companies like.
Ever thought you might make more money selling the show later on dvd/bluray if it’s complete???
I enjoyed the book, liked the movie too, but the casting of the TV show, The Firm, was the beginning of its end. Unfortunately the problem for me anyway, was Josh Lucas. What’s happened to him since Sweet Home Alabama? From likeable to can’t stand to watch. Seems picky but his ever present lissssp was just waaaay too much to hear over and over again on TV. Like fingernails on a blackboard. The Firm is an interesting storyline and the idea of picking up years later was intriguing. Perhaps with a different lead this could have gone somewhere.
Excellent show that my wife and I enjoy. Excellent writing along with good characters and interesting plots.
I would really buy a DVD for The Firm season 2, it’s a GREAT series, Josh Lucas like.. He’s an AWESOME actor and probably one of the best Iv’e seen out there. Hope some kind of The Firm season 2 petition works out, I REALLY REALLY look forward to it..
I don’t care, DVD, another channel. It doesn’t matter, aslong as it’s the same actors.
I LOVED this show, even though I’ll admit I had never even heard of it or knew that it was being aired on NBC. I recently found it on Hulu and watched the entire season. I really hope it gets picked up by another network and, if not, at least put season two on DVD! We need a solid conclusion! NBC did a great job of ensuring Awake was wrapped up nicely before it’s cancellation, please extend the same courtesy for the firm’s viewers!
Sorry to hear that season 2 isn’s coming up! Love the show! Please bring on season 2!! In Holland we are watching the season as well… Hope another network will pick it up!
Well, why am I not surprised by NBC’s cancellation of this remarkably good show? Because it’s a quality production with excellent writing and acting? Of course! Ratings numbers don’t always give an accurate picture. There are more people out there watching “good shows” despite the ratings “numbers”. Hence the abandonment of NBC for CBS. The only two shows I now watch on NBC are Grimm and LO SVU. They’ll probably be gone if NBC’s record continues. They have driven me each season to more and more shows on CBS. Phooey!
The Firm, please come back!!!
Love the show. Please bring on season 2
WHY IS IT THAT EVERYTIME A GOOD AND VERY INTERESTING SERIES FOR ADULTS GETS CANCELLED??????????? THE FIRM IS GREAT AND MY HUSBAND AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING IT EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT.
My husband and I loved The Firm. I also hope another network will pick it up.
Please bring back the show. iam so sad that nbc cancelled the show. i really want to see another season please. i love this show so much. it’s the best.
I really want a season 2. Season 1 had a kliffhanger ending that didn’t really make sense.
If it comes on dvd i’ll buy it.. 😀