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.
 Loading ... |
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.
KEEP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally, a really good show. Get rid of some of those reality shows!!!!!!
PLEASE keep this show going not only for the entertainment but to make people aware of the difficulties around the world. this is a feel good show at the end but it also makes people think for a change instead of showing bald facts it has feelings and i think that is what is missing from all of the greedy moneygrubbing shows on tv today. the talent shows, game shows, reality shows are moneygrubbing. i refuse to watch them. please allow a show with some actual content that shows just how fortunate Americans really are to stay on the air.… Read more »
i love this shooow so much, i hope they keep it
Ive been looking for it the past few weeks, whats with 8 episodes, very entertainig, looked forward to it each week. Bring it back
I really look forward to each episode. I have been watching on ondemand though and I wonder if the ability to watch it anytime instead of late at night had anything to do with ratings?
According to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philanthropist_(TV_series)
the show rates after the first three episodes did NOT drop, but were stable around 3 million. Problem was, that the first episode wasn’t the best one. If they had started with the girls and the French minister …
I think there should be another season.
keep the show going. James Purefoy is a dashing actor and a bit smarmy. the other shows that have done well are people who do not think for themselves and watch shows where they live vicariously through them like america’s got talent.
we can learn to be a bit more exciting and learn about other countries and peoples. it is not always believable that the main character NEVER gets too shot up or mangled as he is the star.
However, this brit is quite dishy.
Cheers
Please keep the show!!!! We LOVE it!!!!! One of the better story lines on tv these days!!!!!! PLEASE keep it!!!!!!
This show is one of the worst to come around in a long time. Corny dialog, no chemistry between the actors, ridiculous plot lines. I am a big fan of Rome and James Purefoy. I really wanted this program to be a sucess. But it stinks. And it is largely the writers fault. Who writes this stuff? Get it off the air before it does anymore damage to the actor’s careers.
YES!!! Great show! Keep it!!!!!
I LOVE the show. Thank you for an enjoyable show with substance and a fantastic cast! love it love it love it
I really hope that this show gets a chance to gain an audience that can appreciate what it has to offer. I think that NBC needs to do more to promote the show. It is a truly amazing show and I think that people do not take time to understand it. Instead, viewers choose to watch mind numbing television that has absolutely nothing to offer and completely neglect wonderful thought provoking and eye opening shows like this. NBC really needs to keep a show like this on t.v and stand out from all of the other channels that choose to… Read more »
The show is a keeper. One of very few shows that have an original story line. There aren’t many wealthy people on network TV shows with a great social conscience who actually go to great lengths to help the less fortunate. I’ve watched every episode and hope there will be many more (fingers crossed).
Keep it! Keep it! Keep it! Finally a show worth watching. Something new and innovative. I love it! Although I am in school when it comes on, I have it recorded so that I can watch it at my leisure. Besides, James Purefoy is awesome. Loved him in A Knight’s Tale too!! He plays the perfect, stereotypical playboy! Keep it! Keep it! Keep it!
Keep this show! It is great! fun, intelligent, fast paced & sexy!