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 agree, show is better than average, give it a chance!
My husband and I love the player. It is a shame that they are cancelling it. Give it a chance.
The Player is an awesome show! Give it a chance!
Enjoyed this show . Give it a chance. Nice premise. Interesting characters. Action sequences done quite well. Just remove a little of predictable and formulaic elements. This show and it’s characters have the ability to become very interesting, the conspiracy angle has great promise but must be more reality bound and less hokey.
NBC just added SUPERSTORE to it’s Monday night lineup…which truly has to be one of the DUMBEST shows out there. Do those high paid programmers at the NBC networks (a.k.a. as the nothing but commercials network) get points for putting out brainless shows that they “think” are funny, as opposed to action/drama shows? What was the old saying from Mr. Forest GUMP? “Stupid is as stupid does?” LOL.
This show is clever, action-packed and stylish- I just watched all 9 episodes in a couple of days. It makes me sick that so much unintelligent, sophomoric crap remains and this show offers adults excellent and sophisticated drama. PLEASE RECONSIDER cancellation‼️‼️‼️
This show struck a nerve with the men who are really in control because it’s too close to reality so they cancelled it. The truth is stranger than fiction.
Don’t cancel,i like the modern gadgetry,etc..Maybe if it was in a different time slot,but if that’s a problem,shades of blue will collapse too.
I recorded this series and then binge watched it while recovering from surgery. I like it. Give it another season and a decent time slot.
Just finished this series..don’t cancel to early..give another chance and reschedule this show to another day and suitable time to watch..this is fantastic show..i hope another more season on this series..like NCIS : LA, The Arrow, The Flash..this show will gonna be top like the other action series.Please,keep The Player ON..
Just binged watched the series, we love it. DONT CANCELL !!!!
Just finished the last episode. I love this series. I hope someone gives it another chance.
loved the show, hope there is more to come
I loved it. I hope there is more to come
This a great show! I really hope they bring it back or another network picks it up. We just finished binge watching all nine episodes.