NBC had high expectations for their new Thursday night action drama, The Player. Unfortunately, the ratings have not been good and the network has now cut the show’s episode order. Has the series already been cancelled or does it still have a shot at being renewed for a second season next year?
Set in Las Vegas, The Player follows a huge game in which world events are predicted, gambled upon and influenced by a shadowy elite. Controlling the game is the “The Pitt Boss,” a mysterious Mr. Johnson (Wesley Snipes). “The Dealer” is Cassandra (Charity Wakefield) and she recruits rogue FBI agent Alex Kane (Philip Winchester). As “The Player”, Alex is driven by the need to find out who killed his wife. Damon Gupton also stars.
Debuting on September 24th, The Player got off to a poor start in the ratings, averaging a 1.16 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 4.86 million viewers. The second episode’s numbers were even worse with the installment drawing a 0.95 in the demo and 4.58 million.
Week three’s numbers were worse and then the series hit new lows in week four with a 0.74 demo and 3.99 million. Last week’s episode did a little bit better but the numbers were frankly still terrible.
To be fair, The Player has had to contend with tough competition from NFL football games and ABC’s highly rated How to Get Away with Murder. Unfortunately, NBC doesn’t seem to be cutting this series any slack. While NBC’s Blindspot has received a full season order, the network has cut the The Player’s order down to nine episodes.
They’ve also already committed the show’s timeslot to other programming. In the new year, the Thursdays at 10pm timeslot will be taken over by new series Shades of Blue starring Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta.
Though NBC has not officially cancelled The Player yet, the ratings are so bad that it’s as good as cancelled. Barring a miracle and sudden upturn in the ratings, there’s just no way the network execs will want to order any more episodes.
But, what do you think? Have you been enjoying The Player TV series? Do you think it should be cancelled or saved and given more time to prove itself?
My wife and I enjoy” the player.” Don’t cancel it. There are so many other shows with poorer ratings. This show is catchy.
Don’t cancel the show cancel law and order svu it has been on long enough
Awesome show. DON’T CANCELL SHOW.
Love everthing. About it.
Put it on a different night so it’s nOt competing with football.
DON’T CANCEL THE SHOW!!! If you must cancel something, cancel Heroes Reborn. That show is a true disappointment when compared to the original Heroes series. Give The Player a new time slot and see what happens.
>If you must cancel something, cancel Heroes Reborn.
You must be crazy, that show is simply amazing. NBC is even giving it a small Hiatus to last till 2016, and hopefully in the spring, it gets a renewal for a second season.
Honestly, I liked watching this show, but it wasn’t really one of my highlights.
I agree with one of the other comments. Cancel “Heroes Reborn” rather than “The Player” Who doesn’t enjoy Philip Winchester?!
I agree. Cancel Heroes Reborn!
You are crazy to cancel The Player. It is an excellent show. I just started watching NBC again, now, I won’t.
SAVE the SHOW!!!
I am very upset that “The Player” is being cancelled without any redemption. A new show that you put on an already crowded & high TV viewership night. There is so much on TV on Thursday nights. My husband and I either watch or DVR “The Player” It is very good. We absolutely love it!!!!!! The ensemble cast of Philp Winchester, Wesley Snipes, Charity Wakefield & Damon Gupton are awesome. If anybody watched Strike Back on Cinemax & enjoyed it with his co-star,Sullivan Stapleton who is currently starring in CBS’ Blindspot as Sgt. Kurt Weller with the FBI. One would… Read more »
I guess it’s time for me to stop watching television … The good shows be canceled after one season & the great ones even earlier WTF.I have given up hope that NBC will change their mind. And to be honest, i don’t trust this reatings. People watch on demand, online or recording the shows they want to see…and not only in the US but around the globe, like me from Europe . Networks are more and more like policitions … they have no f….. clue what they’re doing!! Seriously frustrating
Please continue the show.
I think this show is actually better than Blind Spot. I watch both and if I had to choose one over the other I would pick The Player
Agreement with other positive comments, don’t cancel show!!!!
I love this show, along with the cast it is fast moving adventure each week. Maybe NBC should change its time/day and give it a chance. Would really like to see more of Wesley Snipes’ characters history as well as the dealer’s past. Please do not give up on this show one of the best of this season.
I hope that the show gets moved to a better time slot, or at least moved to another NBC network.
Given The Player’s time slot and the fact that Thursday night football consumes a great deal of potential viewership The Player should not be cancelled but moved to a different day. PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THE PLAYER!
The Player has been a highlight show of this season. It is original, fast-paced and well-casted. I’m surprised the Blind Spot beat this show in the rating. The only reason would be the Blind Spot does not have much competition. PLEASE don’t cancel this show-give it a chance in another time slot.
what they said!!!