NBC recently debuted one of their new Summer shows, The Listener. With lots of negative reviews, how did the first episodes perform in the ratings? Is the show worth keeping or should the network listen to critics and cancel it?
The Listener is a Canadian drama that revolves around a young paramedic (Craig Olejnik) who has the ability to listen to people’s inner thoughts. He tries to help those in need while trying to figure out his own place in the world. Others in the cast include Ennis Esmer, Colm Feore, Lisa Marcos, Mylene Robic, Anthony Lemke, John Fleming, Lara jean Chorostecki, Arnold Pinnock, and Paulino Nunes.
The show has already run in several countries around the world and began airing in the US on June 4th. NBC aired the first episode at 9pm and it ranked in fourth place for the timeslot, attracting just 5.25 million viewers and a 1.5/4 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. The 10pm episode garnered a few more viewers (5.34 million) but lost a bit in the demo (1.4/4).
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Many critics crucified the series and even fellow NBC employee Greg Grunberg may not be crazy about it either. The actor, who plays a mindreader on Heroes, tweeted, “New ‘original’ NBC show about a guy who can hear thoughts… called, uh…The Listener? Uh, no wait, I know this. BRAIN FART!! Genius!!” On Tuesday, he retweeted a fan’s note that said, “wht is ths ‘The Listener’ crap. thr’s alrdy a show abt a mindreader on tv, its called heroes, & @greggrunberg is all we need.”
The peacock network can’t be pleased with Listener’s lackluster performance, even for a Summer series. If NBC was footing the bill exclusively, the show would certainly not be back for another season. But, because the network is simply purchasing the broadcast rights from Canada’s CTV, the show’s much less expensive for them. If CTV decides to produce another season, it might make some sense for NBC to pick it up.
What do you think? Is the show work watching or should it be cancelled already?
Image courtesy CTV.
This is one of my favorite shows please keep it.
I also really enjoy watching this show and so does my 15 year old son. Please don’t cancel it!
I so agree with “ak”. I hardly watch any t.v. because so many shows are a waste of time to watch. I think this show is really well put together, the actors do a great job (and look great, too) and it appeals to casual viewers because it contains the “one-story-per-episode” along with a longer story line from show to show. It may be cheaper to air because it’s a Canadian show, but hey, we are in a recession, and even mega-million dollar corporations like NBC have to watch their budgets. Gotta keep The Office going, after all. We all… Read more »
Nbc is ridiculous. Cutting down The Listener in its prime? It almost seems like they wanted it to fail! I have never seen a single advertisement or promotion for it anywhere so how can you expect people to watch the show if you don’t let them know it’s even on the air?! Most of the people, if you read, have found this show through hulu ( a great site) or by randomly seeing it when flipping channels. Is that how one of the big 3 (nbc cbs and abc) supposed to treat new shows? They gave it a chance but… Read more »
Keep it! Really enjoy this show and would definitely keep watching it. Please do not cancel……
The listener is one an amazing tv show. the whole basketball team loves it. sooo yeahh definitely keep it!
Love the show. However, way too many people think a show isn’t good unless it has a lot of sex and violence. Sorry but I consider this a great show for adults and teens without someone having to put out. Give it at least another season, maybe try a different time slot.
I LOVE this show! They should definitely keep it. It is overall my favorite show I’ve ever seen!
I think the show may have already been cancelled. They only aired episodes 1-8 as of yet. recently on Hulu, i came across the episodes on their website. which includes episodes 9-13. So why would hulu be playing unaired episodes? if for any reason other then because the show must have been cancelled
KEEP IT! this show is the greatest! everybody loves it ! not only in canada
i deff. think it should stay i love it. it is a really great show i would be f=pretty mad if it got canceled… too many of these great shows are being canceled it’s grap!
I absolutely agree with what mostly everyone is saying. KEEP IT. I LOVE the listener and think that if given the chance it could be really popular. Seriously, like 4 episodes aired on TV? c’mon! it never even got a chance..
I think the show rocks. I would be very disappointed if it didn’t continue on. My whole family gets together to watch it and that doesn’t happen very often anymore. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I love this show! I was iffy about it at the beginning but by the finale it had really grown on me and I’m left waiting for more. I’m really hoping it gets a second season and would love if NBC picked it back up. I’m not fond of L&O or reality tv shows.
Anyone who wants to make their voice heard should sign this petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-the-listener
And yes, Craig Olejnik is hot!!!