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 loved the show- please do not cancel it
I love the show and think the network should give it a chance.
Executives cancel these really great shows without considering all the factors ir without giving it a chance to really develop. Give this show a chance!
This is the BEST new show on any channel. I’m just lucky I caught an episode early. I saw millions of commercials pumping the Blacklist copycat show Blindspot– but I only saw 1 or 2 for The Player. PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL.
I’m a fan. Been waiting for the next episode, but it wasn’t coming and so I came looking for answers. It’s a great show. Sad that they cancel good ones yet keep the Kardashians?
I love this show. The cast have done a great job. I hope it stays on. I’m sick of reality tv shows that are stupid. Keep the Player on.
Great show . Please do not cancel.
DO NOT CANCELL THE PLAYER PLEASE Philip Winchester and charity wakefield Make this a great show plus they must find Ginny
Well I see why I never watched this network before, blind spot for real?
I love the Player it is very different!! I hope they don’t cancel it
I LOVE The Player Do NOT cancel it!
Both Phillip Winchester (THE PLAYER) and Sullivan Stapleton (BLINDSPOT) both came from the Cinemax action series STRIKE BACK. If THE PLAYER is on life-support, and both series air on NBC, why not arrange for a cross-over ?
The show is great and entertaining. However, the writers are the ones that need to be cut, especially when they have ethnics pitted against one another and totally show their blatant ignorance of the cultures. Meanwhile, the premise is excellent, the acting is superb and the location outstanding. Possibly involving some conspiracy theories prevalent to Nevada and surrounding areas, dropping the missing spouse by exposing her as a deep cover, romantically involving Alex and Cassandra, adding other players as competition, and continuing the excellent, superb, awe inspiring and brilliant Las Vegas photoscapes will bring more viewers. This show is about… Read more »
I initially was not that into The Player. As the season progressed I was drawn in. PLEASE PLEASE do not cancel.
Please don’t cancel… Bring back for a 2nd season. Give it another chance. Wesley Snipes as “The Pit Boss” is da man!!