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?
I saw the Player tonight and loved it. Please don’t cancel.
Yes. NBC needs to save this show instead of canceling it already. To be honest, it’s one of the better series on their network. In fact, you move it to Tuesday or Wednesday night at 8:00 or 9:00 EST and it would thrive with either Chicago Fire or Chicago PD after it. Thursday is the busiest night on TV, especially with NFL on and taking the shows audience away. The programming department needs to be reevaluated ASAP.
Love this show. Do not cancel. One of the best new shows of the season. Would like to see what happens to the characters. It was just getting into why they had become so complex. Please give The Player a chance.
I like The Plaer. Leave it on!
Please don’t cancelled the show. It really really good!
Typical NBC. Clueless
Love this show! Philip Winchester is one of my favorites, loved him and Sullivan Stapleton (from Blindspot) when they were on Strike Back. Move The Player to a different night and time, that would definitely help the ratings!
Or keep it thursday still but show it at a different time so, it doesn’t involve through Thursday night football time and how to get away with murder. Keep showing it cause I love the player don’t CANCEL IT PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!!!
Change it to a different day of the week so it doesn’t have to be involved in thursday night football and how to get away with murder and it will change the time ratings. Keep it cause I love this show and able to relax at 10 right after I get home from work.
The show was meant for 13 episodes. If they want to cancel the series at least follow through with the given episodes and not just cut off the series. The player is a good show and have potential with the story plot especially after this last episode “Tell”. It can be extended to even second season if done correctly. Time slot should be different to a different day because of Thursday Night Football taking most viewers. It should be given a shot at least til the end of the season
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this show!! PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL IT!!!
I look forward to this show every week,, How do they determine which show is canceled ? Nobody asked for my vote,, They cancel the good ones and keep stupid ones,, How many CSI shows can we watch ?? PLEASE,, PLEASE leave the show on,,
Good show! Change the time slot and ratings will improve.
This is/was a great show!!!! Give it an earlier time slot, 10pm is a hard time slot. Fantastic show, why would you let this gem go???
This show is amazing. Why does NBC. always make these judgement calls so prematurely. Give it a chance. Who was the executive that put a brand new show against an already hit show on ABC and especially against Football. I think you need to get rid of the executive before this show.