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 show is thoughtful and interesting. It’s pretty original for TV these days and it’s got good pacing and acting. I hope it stays on. WTF else is NBC going to put on? Another hour of Leno… Biggest Loser Pet Edition? Just keep the show.
this show is amazing! PLEASE KEEP IT! people compare it with other shows like medium, medium is my facourite show and ther COMPLETELY DIFFERENT dont compare them if you dont watch them in the first place. please please keep the show if its canceled i know a lot of people who will be very upset including me
the listener= <3
This is a GREAT TV show!! It’s the only thing on, the rest is reruns! I have been obsessed with the listener, its one of my favorite shows, and even though they already took it off the air, they should put it back on NBC, they dont know what they’re thinking, taking that show off! I normally watch comedies, nothing like law and order or heroes, but this really attracted me, because its such a combination! PUT THE SHOW BACK ON THE AIR, NBC!! PS: to all listener fans who watch “The Listener” on NBC, it only got to the… Read more »
This show is dead. This show is terrible! The male lead is the result of what happens when Jake Gyllenhaal has a child with Dana Carvey. His acting is awful. There is a little eye candy in the show, but other than that, I would rather see a show such as Life on Mars revived. Compare the acting in that show to this one and you will see no comparison.
Wow, way to come off like a jackass Greg Grunberg. *eyeroll* Heroes has SUCKED the past two seasons. The Listener is MUCH better!
keep the show…!!!
do not compare this show to Heroes! that show is oka, but this has everything in it! Even if theres some comparisons, who cares..look at law and order and CSI and greys anatomy and ER. C’mon keep it on!!
i never review shows or give comments or for that matter, even look them up online..but this show is amazing and the reason is Craig Olejnik. If anybody meaningful to the producing of the show read these, listen closely….PLEASE do not take it off air! And if anything be smart and take it over!! the ratings are probably not as high as they expected, but its the summer and the other comments are right, nobody really watches tv now because all other shows air re-runs! I think it’s problem was they didn’t hype it up enough. Take my advice and… Read more »
I think it is a great show and watch it regularly, would be a shame to take it off because most people do not watch TV in the summer expecting reruns. It is part medical, part detective and part scifi a great combo
If this show gets cancelled, that’d be one big disappointment for me. I’ve been watching this since the beginning, & I’ve even gotten friends & family into the show as well. I think the devoted fans that have been watching from the beginning, & realize that it’s different from shows it was compared to if you ask me. Heroes deals with multiple characters [& I don’t even watch the show because it’s annoying], but this is around ONE certain character, & I like that better. I hope this show stays on. I think shows just need to be given a… Read more »
I love that show. KEEP IT!!! Great acting, show, etc.
I’m watching The Listener in Japan.
I can’t believe that this show might be cancelled! No way!!!
Please keep it.
This show has great qualities. PLEASE think of the viewers who look forward to every single episode!!!!!
This show is great. I cannot believe it may be canceled! This is a show you can really get into. Keep it.
I like the show, I think the storylines & actors are good . Summer shows I think have a harder time making it because viewers are doing other things instead of tuning in.
Its a better show then some of the stuff that is on in the fall season.
For a summer drama, this show is very good and CTV decides on another season. I don’t think it should be dependant on an American audience as most American television is bland and consists of mainly reality tv. If there’s a strong Canadian audience, CTV should keep it. Canadian television has more substance.