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 think it’s worthy of another season
i have been following closely…..and so far am excited and looking forward to what comes next….
We’ve just watched the entire series and we love the twist and turns. Give it more time.
I am sick to death of the reality shows. The player has action and great characters. Move it to a different day but please give it a chance.
Great show,plenty of action,good plots, good acting the only problem is time slot. They should give it a better slot because having to go against TNF really isn’t fair for a show that is really great. Give them a fighting chance in a better time slot even if u have to change day it air’s on,the cast is great and I along with many others belive given a new time slot and day, the viewership will increase tremendously. R U with me?
FINALLY!!! Something worth watching….Uuurgh, these stupid reality shows and other stupid stuff on the ‘tellie’ suck. If this is really cancelled it is proof that stupid people exist and they are working at the NBC. Wesley Snipes is super-cool with his kungfu moves…like the way he changes his accent…plus the high-tech stuff in the series are super-cool. Put it in a different time-slot…and please up the promotion of the show. We loving it in South Africa! More, more, more!!!
Blindspot got higher rating due to Monday night slot. Player is a strong show.
We are really enjoying this show and feel it is a shame to cancel it at this stage. It cannot end like this.
I am sick of not being able to watch things without my kids and when we finally find something it is cancelled. more reality nbc really it sucks we are tired of reality and getting tired of nbc cancelling good tv. leave it on.
Keep it the show is fantastic, cancel shades of blue it doesn’t even look any good and I sure don’t plan on watching it, nothing to get my interest. Of course I don’t watch how to get away with murder either.
Since NBC and Hulu still have “The Player” episodes online, fans can rewatch them to boost online ratings. “Aquarius” was renewed due to its high online viewership, so hopefully the same can happen with “The Player.” This fight isn’t over! I will keep rewatching until they remove the episodes!
It is a good show. It has many plot threads to develop. It should have another chance. Move it to a different time period and renew it.
I love this show more seasons please
Good show. Better than all the reality crap forced on us
It’s a great show give it a chance!
It’s a great show give it a chance
Another show I actually like. Don’t know why I even bother watching new programs since networks are determined to cancel anything wiorth a damn so they can air more stupid comedies or reality shows. Nothing for people with any modicum of intelligence.