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.
Why is it when they put a show on that deals with real life happenings, they get cancelled! I think the show is great and deserves a chance to prove it
Please do not cancel this show. It is such a refreshing change from reality TV.
I love the show. It was the one show of the summer that keep me tuned in! I was nery disappointed after the last show aired(not knowing it was the last show.) I kept looking for it on my tv program and was making sure my dvr was working!!!!!! Maybe the show should be moved to the fall on Thursdays????!!! And the besides, the cast is great…
Just like the others, please bring it back–don’t cancel the show
Please, please, please…
don’t cancel, I love this show. I want and wait so bad for a second season!
It would be horrible if the show was cancelled. It’s a great show. besides, I wasn’t TUNING in on T.V. because I don’t own one – I was watching the show on ITUNES, by buying each episode… I’m sure there are countless others that do the same – do those “stats” not count in viewer ratings? KEEP THE SHOW. It’s insightful and I just looked forward to my Thursday nights (itunes shows teh show the day after)… and now, there’s nothing to watch. Please please bring it back.
My husband and I LOVE LOVE LOVEd this show. Please keep it on.
It’s very unique…
Please DO NOT cancel this show. All my friends and family are hoping that for ONCE a network thinks of the “reality tv, medical drama, crime drama, talk-show challenged” audiences that seem to have been forgotten by the networks.
The Philantropist gave us someting to look forward to.
Thank you
It is such a pleasure to view something other than the current reality “drivel” – please don’t cancel this insightful show.
I was outraged over the idea that such series “might” be canceled. Such items should be left on air and spoon fed to ppl for the morals they carry. The viewers have to learn that somethings are much better and more beneficial than doctors and comedy.
PLEASE save this series!!
Keep the show. It is great to see something interesting for a change. The Networks are full of mindless shows. Especially all the fake, intelligence insulting reality shows. It is leaving nothing to watch. The Philantropist has higher level of understanding of people and world issues that helps to broaden the mind.
Please keep this show. I love that it shows “HELPING OTHERS” along with World Views and other cultures. I was also so anxious to see ‘where we were going this week!’ It is like global vacation meets Buddha, plus adventure! Keep it!
The Philanthropist opens your mind and spirit. It introduces the world and helps one look at life differently. And, it makes you believe that one person CAN make a difference.
PLEASE do not cancel the Philanthropist. My husband and I love this series as it combines action and world cultures with current events — we even show some episodes to our teen daughter to let her see the current state of affairs in some of the countries. Educationa and Entertaining. Please keep it on — we look forward to season 2.
I’m a big fan! It was the only series that made me watch nbc or catch up on a missed episode @ nbc.com! Please do not cancel it.
Please, do NOT cancel ‘The Philantrophist’ ! It’s cool tv series ! And Yeddy Rist is veeery handsome and sexy :]