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.
I enjoy the show.
It’s not surprising to see all the negative reviews, when people just watched the first two episodes, which I agree are the worst tv you could see… But since chapter 3 it’s like you’re finally watching something great.
And the season finales is just so great, that it makes u want a season 2 badly 🙂
keep it
I have watched this show and agree that it is an awesome show. It’s not like heroes at all, except for the fact that there is a character with superpowers, ONE character. I really want to see a second season, bring it back.
I am a huge sci-fi fan. I go to blockbuster and wander longingly through the aisles just wishing there was a good show in this genre that I haven’t seen. Summer is awful for TV, so I spend more time at the movie store. When I heard about “The Listener”, I was excited that I might actually have something to watch instead of spending time and money on movies or HBO series I need to catch up on. Well, when I finally got a chance to watch it, I popped on the Tivo and did my thing… first segment… boop… Read more »
I love this show! I really am hoping for another series… I didn’t relate it to heroes at all. Even after reading this I don’t really think it is….
The mind reading I connect with True Blood, but in a more realistic setting.
Anyways I really do love this show. WANT MORE NOW!
I love this show, i mean the first two or three episodes were a little slow on the pick up but after that it was really good….they should wait it out for i’m sure its bound to only get better. They cancel way too many shows with a lot of potential without giving it a chance. Not all series should be fast and suspenseful from the get go, some shows are better when they build the story rather than just jumping straight into the plot, and the listener is one such show that i’m sure will only get better with… Read more »
the show is definitely a keeper. I did not relate The Listener to Heroes at all until i read this article. It’s ridiculous Greg is pissed off at it. Heroes can’t be replicated.
I’m from asia and i totally am in love with this show. i bet there are much more fans all around the world. KEEP IT! they can’t possibly leave it or us hanging there. it’s plain cruel.
The Listener is about a paramedic with a from birth. The story of a man trying to discover why he has this power and what he is supposed to do with it. Heros is a show about multiple people with superpowers, but since ONE of the large cast can read minds, they are obviously the same. As many people have already pointed out, CSI, Law and Order, and even NCIS have shows that are not only similar but are the same with just a different cast. Regardless, if NBC sees fit to end the show, if CTV brings back another… Read more »
I have watched this show several times now and have enjoyed it quite a lot so far. I hope they keep it.
I hope they keep the show and bring it back for another season. I really like it.
I think the show is pretty good so far. I’ll continue to watch. I’m not so sure if Neilsen Ratings are always right, anyway.
Keep it
A pleasure to watch. How can it be in danger?
I like it, I’ve seen the entire first season, and I admit it’s slow for the first couple episodes, but the second half of the season (at least) gets better. I didn’t think the third episode was bad, I found it quite good. Personally, I think the lack of ratings were because of the network. Fox international and Fx both advertised a lot (look on youtube) and made the show quite interesting. As for CTV……. They’ve been advertising since… well March, so much so you got bombarded and wanted to shoot them. the CTV promos sucked at first, then they… Read more »