Another of NBC’s new Summer series, The Philanthropist, got off to a moderately successful start in the ratings but has been losing steam quickly. Should NBC show some charity and keep it around or should they just cancel it already?
The Philanthropist tells the story of Teddy Rist (James Purefoy), a billionaire playboy who is haunted by the death of his only child. After rescuing a young boy from a hurricane, Rist begins using his wealth to help those in need. The show also features the talents of Jesse L. Martin, Neve Campbell, Michael K. Williams, Lindy Booth, Bonnie Henna, Dominique McElligott, and James Albrecht.
The drama premiered on June 24th and attracted an average of 7.41 million viewers and a 2/6 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. For a Summer series, that looks like pretty decent performance on the surface but less so when you look at the specifics.
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The show lost 35% of the audience from the last half hour of the successful America’s Got Talent lead-in. What’s more, many viewers tuned out before the premiere of Philanthropist was over. That’s not a good sign and a sure indication that those viewers probably won’t be back the following week.
The second week, the Philanthropist ratings dropped significantly to 5.69 million viewers and a 1.4/4 rating/share in the demo. Week three fell further and by week four, Philanthropist fell to 4.28 million and a dismal 1.1/4. Last week’s viewer numbers perked up a little to 4.74 million but the all-important demo remained dismally the same.
With numbers like these, there’s not much hope that NBC will feel charitable and renew the series for a second year. On the positive side, with just three episodes left to air, the network will surely let the short season play out.
What do you think? Is the show worth saving or should NBC have cut their losses and cancelled it already?
Image courtesy NBC.
I LOVE THIS SHOW please keep it.. its the only decent show on tv… no really i’m serious..
THIS SHOW WAS THE ONLY HIGHLIGHT OF MY SUMMER VIEWING SEASON! PLEASE LET US KEEP ON ENJOYING THIS THOUGHTFUL, WELL DONE ENTERTAINMENT.\!
Keep the show. I found it interesting. I hate when you get involved into watching a show and can’t wait for the second season to start and it gets cancelled. Please give it a chance for a second season. Thanks
i love this show. don’t cancel it at all. This show shows so much stuff that all others do not. listen to the people keep it running.
This show has been critiqued as a bad example to us common folk that only the rich contribute to charities or needy people. Bah! Humbug! I say. Since watching this series, which I enjoyed tremendously, I (one of the poor uneducated masses) have contributed to two very different causes. Wake up and quit denigrating “The Ugly Americans’. Most of the ‘Silent Majority” care about others less fortunate than themselves (I am retired on disability) and are willing to give a hand up not out. Quit dumbing us down and portraying us in the most unflattering light possible, media! Harken back… Read more »
I love “The Philanthropist”. I think that it is a smart and entertaining show. The actors in the show are wonderful, and the story lines are intelligent and interesting. I was starting to look forward to seeing the show every week, and now it is off the air. My whole family was enjoying watching the show. There are not a lot of televison shows that I will take the time to watch anymore, but this one I really enjoyed. Please bring it back.
Please keep the show going. We need more TV shows with substance. There are viewers who actually enjoy a TV show that has some sort of intellect. Enough reality TV.
I would love the show to continue, but perhaps without the narrative throughout. I like the global aspect of the show and I love James Purefoy as the lead.
please keep this show-if more people watcgh it might inspire more people to do the righ thing in life………………
Please keep this smart, entertaining show! It’s a one-of-a-kind, and the “travelog” nature of the episodes is a great bonus. One of the best!!!!!
Please keep it going…… I bet if the show times was around 8:00 or 9:00 pm it would get more viewers and now that summer holiday are coming to an end everyone will be ready for a none reality shows ( ie big brother) , perfect time!! Not everyone understands what is going on in the world and this show ” wakes” you up! Thank you but please don’t drop it!!
We LOVE this show! This is one of the few dramas worth watching. Please keep it!!!!
Great show. It’s interesting every week. I watch it on Hulu & vote yes to keep it on.
I love this show. This is not your average drama. It is not only good. It is excellent. It has a fresh, new storyline. If the ratings are dropping. Instead of cancelling it, they should see the potential and maybe alter the show a bit. Instead of having the character tell the stories throughout the show, maybe they should have it more present tense. That might bring in more viewers to stay. It will create more suspense.
Finally a show with some substance. How tragic they are considering cancelling it. It has brought a new dimension to television…making us all our brother’s keepers. I guess television will always be in and “responsivision” will always be out. Too too bad.