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?
Please, NBC, reconsider this series. It’s another with a different premise, action, good story lines and I like the actors. Try Friday nights. Lots of good shows became hits on Fridays, even though it’s probably a night that most wouldn’t watch tv. I have Directv and record everything and I believe this is a trending situation.
Hope it comes back for another season. Needs another day and time slot. Thursday’s are tough. It has a fresh interesting story line. Wesley Snipes is excellent! He still has the moves!!
I like the show don’t cancel it
Great show that still has room to develop. I sincerely hope that NBC brings it back for a second season. Maybe losing it’s current time slot will be a blessing in disguise because Thursday Television schedule is packed with stiff competition, such as How To Get Away With Murder, Scandal, and Thursday Night Football.
Because of time conflicts, my wife & I had to record the shows and we just watched them. We love the show and wish it to continue. It just needs to find the correct time slot. The different plots that are being developed keeps you coming back to follow up, Excellent writing.
We wish for it’s return.
My husband and I have enjoyed it. We would like to see it continue.
I look forward to this show every week. I dont think it should cancelled
Dear NBC This is by far one of the best Tv shows I’ve seen by far this year I know that my opinion isn’t much but I think this show is whether a second chance you have other Television show that are ok but are on good times during the week I feel like it would have had a better chance on a Tuesday or Friday night. Because of NFL games being played on Monday and Thursday Night. As well Basketball on TNT. The timing for this show was bad timing and I feel just like other followers that the… Read more »
I love this show and when I ‘t s can’t see it live I DVR it so I don’t miss it. Keep it up even on a different night.
I love this show! Look forward to it every week. Possibly another night would get better ratings!
Please don’t cancel this. It is a good show, that has potential to being a great show. Give it a shot. A lot of show started off with low viewers and were then watched by many.
I really hope at least Netflix continues with this show as Episode 9 left me wanting more. It sucks that I’ll never know what happens next!
Please don’t cancel. Love this show
Keep The Player on. It’s one of the better new shows with a good plot and lots of action! Maybe change it to a different slot.
One of the actors in THE PLAYER (DAMON GUPTON) who played LVPD Detective Brown (ALEX’s friend) has already found new employment. He will have a role next year in A&E’s “BATES MOTEL” prequel. So when he told ALEX that “they are through” I guess he already had his exit planned. In the meantime, the only thing we can hope for is that THE PLAYER is picked up by TNT or NETFLIX, and/or the rumor about a movie option for STRIKE BACK materializes in the UK for inclusion on America Cable TV.