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?
Totally agree with you guys the show was really good and was just about to get interesting. NBC what are you doing
It really was a great tv show with a different concept. Such a shame for it to be cancelled.
The show is very enjoyable, and has a strong cast. What is the network thinking? At the very least finish the series – please
NBC really sucked on this one. the Player was one of the best series on tv today, or should I say yesterday. This show was just in the wrong time slot to receive great ratings. On top of that, you left us hanging with an episode that left your writers and us with all kinds of directions to take the series. Very poor management of a very good show.
Loved the show! Was kinda shocked when this recent episode immediately didn’t show me a preview for the next one. The execs at NBC should be fired and get into the mindset that people work odd hours and have a life that doesn’t always allow watching real time TV. Hence, people have to resort to DVR. I mean come on, here Alex is in the storage locker while reading his wife’s letter and thoughts start to turn in his mind and then he finds a secret passage to a room filled with a lot of weaponary. Come on, you can’t… Read more »
HAVE TO DVR but love the show
I live in the UK and this hasn’t even been aired in this country yet (looks like it never will now, which is a shame), anyway I’ve been downloading this and watching it and me personally thought this was a great show and can’t for the hell of it wonder how this has been cancelled when the likes of “Blindspot” has been given a second season. I think “FBI agent Alex Kane (Philip Winchester)” plays a great part and was fantastic also in “Strike Back”. Again another American TV Show that us in the UK will miss out on because… Read more »
idiots, sigh
The Player is an awesome show. I never miss an episode. Because of my schedule I have to DVR and watch when I get home.
Such an awesome series, way better then Blindspot, Quantico or Blacklist. Why it got canceled blows my mind.
Such a shame
That’s what I want to know too
It is a good show, but not a great show. Every show will not be great, but entertaining.
Every series cannot make top 25. Amazing Race is great, but not top 25. SVU is great, but not top 25. The networks have to weigh in on time slot winners and series cost.
CW is different (thank God). There is a lot to make from Arrow and Flash outside US.,
and DVD sales like The Winchesters. The Player will become a casualty. The Blacklist is a great lead-in. I hope NBC allows a wrap- up. Doubtfully. Heroes may be next.
I think it deserve a chance ,is very watchable.
I really like the program
Awesome series I loved it from day one. NBC really really blew it on this one. I don’t know who over there is making the decision but they should lose their job because they really don’t know what the public likes hopefully some network will pick it up.
Awesome series got better every show NBC you really really really blew it on this one, hopefully some network will pick it up.
I like the series