To no surprise, FOX’s The Good Guys has been cancelled after one season and 20 episodes. The series stars Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks as an unlikely team of Dallas detectives.
The Good Guys debuted last Spring to a disappointing 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.93 million total viewers. Over the summer months, the ratings seemed to drop each week, hitting a low of a 1.0 rating and 3.42 million viewers.
Despite the poor showing, FOX kept the series on the fall schedule. On Friday nights, the numbers continued to slide. Good Guys hit a series low on October 22nd with a 0.6 rating and just 2.31 million viewers. Episodes typically ranked in last place for the demo in the timeslot. Realistically, no one has been expecting a second season renewal.
The series was shot on location in Dallas. Janis Burklund, head of the Dallas Film Commission, says that her high-ranking contact at Fox Television Studios has confirmed the show’s cancellation. The network hasn’t officially cancelled it but the production studio won’t be making any more episodes. The local area hasn’t had much luck this season. FOX’s Lone Star was cancelled after just two episodes and the episode order for NBC’s Chase has been reduced.
Of The Good Guys, Burkland said, “We liked the show. And they had a great experience here. But the ratings weren’t good. I asked if there was any shot at cable, and he said there didn’t appear to be any shot at that either, and I think it would have done well on cable. It’s not the kind of show network viewers understand — it’s too quirky. It’s one of those shows where either you get it or you don’t. Where cable viewers are more apt to go sampling and try out different stuff, network viewers are looking for more traditional shows. And it had a horrible time slot.”
The TV show’s sets are still intact at a local Dallas studio but will likely be struck in January. The final episode of Good Guys, titled “Partners,” aired on December 10th.
Update: Hanks confirmed the cancellation via his Twitter account on 12/27/10.
What do you think? Are you sorry that Good Guys has been cancelled and won’t be back for season two?
Image courtesy FOX.
I couldn’t stand having to wait a full week for the next episode. I had it set to record on my DVR every week, but ended up watching it live! People like me are not counted in the total viewership, this probably had a something to do with it, and maybe the worst time slot ever. I hate that they cancelled it, bring it back!!!!!
I also really liked the show and am sorry to see it cancelled.
The show was considered “too quirky”? Is that television-speak for “literate”, “smart”, “thinking persons kind of television”?
Well said
I am thoroughly disappointed. This was one of the best shows on television. The ratings were very unfair. Everything was done well on this program. Give it another chance… change the time slot… give it some good advertisement and you will have a multitude of viewers. I agree with other viewers, you take a great program like “The Good Guys” off and leave stupid reality shows and other garbage programs on. Bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best show on TV. Please bring it back. I think the problem was it was not promoted. I only heard about it in late fall.
I only got to see it ONCE and LOVED IT!!!! It came on at a crappy time… wasn’t it like 10 or 9pm on Friday??? Bring it back, bring it back, bring it back… at a better viewing time!!! Friday nights during the summer??? come on, everyone leaves or is out and about at that time!
I am surprised this show was cancelled and also very surprised that the writer of this article was not surprised. How rude!
whaat is wrong with this network!!!! the show was awesome whats not to get?
To no surprise veteran TV critic doesn’t recognise humor, style and wit: Good guys was and excellent show in a sea of garbage. By the time I waded in the garbage and found it and became a fan, it was cancelled. The TV/cable/satellite industry is so regulated in favour of providers, the net effect being the audience is a captive audience to whatever the Kremlin proclaims as funny , “a success “. The show was excellently written, had an excellent lead actor (I don’t remember his name) who played the older partner (he nailed the part …), the younger partner… Read more »
I will miss it very much! I looked forward to the new episodes all week. Hanks and Whitford had wonderful chemistry and Whitford was a revelation. Who knew that he had such a crazy character hiding inside him? Then they brought Gary Cole on as Starks former partner, that really livened things up. The kidnapping of Little Andy is probably my favorite episode. “Give me that sweet child!” Completely cracked me up! My question now is: When can I buy the whole series on DVD? The sooner the better! And while I’m asking, when will iTunes have the theme song,… Read more »
We are disappointed as well. My wife and I really liked this show and are very sad to see it go. Just goes to show how dumb the average American viewer is. I agree that Whitford and Hanks had great chmeistry, and the cast was good as well.
yes, extremely disappointed. I loved it and the humor was unique. FOX BRING IT BACK
It figures! Take an awesome show like this off the air and add another lame reality show. This was one of the better shows on Fox lately. If Fox spent a fraction of the advertising they spend on “Idol” then someone might know the show is on. I don’t recall seeing ANY promos or ads for this show. How do you expect to get views? I’ll have to just forget about Fox and the Networks and switch over to cable 100%.
That was my favorite show! I am so disappointed. I waited every week and sang the opening credits out loud, 1 2 3 4, and my husband knew exactly what I was watching. Brad and Colin had such good chemistry.
I loved this show!! Anyone wanna want to start riot? I’m pretty sure if 2 million people showed up at Fox’s broadcasting station we’d make an impact. :/
Yes I do