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?
Yes it is really too bad The Player did not get better ratings. However, my wife and I enjoyed the show very much. The replacement with Lopez and Liotta, we watched 2 shows and then found something more interesting. As a matter of fact, we have reduced our NBC shows to only two. All of the networks want to cater to the 2% deviant customer base, rather than the 98% paying customer base. If the networks really want to do that, give them their own channels, and see how well they support them. In the mean time, I do not… Read more »
I’m disappointed yet again, I really enjoyed this show as well as “Truth Be Told!” I think NBC needs to be a little more patient before they cancel shows!
I loved the player I wish it would have had higher ratings
Hated that this show was canceled! My Husband and I always looked forward to watching The Player. The cast was terrific and show was action packed with an intriguing plot that made you want to watch more. I wish NBC would reconsider…
I want the players tv show back it is one of thee best show on nbc
Please do not cancel this show! I really enjoyed the chemistry between the cast the dynamic trio kept me intrigued.
Loved this show. It was awesome and there was a lot of things to learn, like where was his wife and who had her. I’m disappointed to know that good shows can die, however some of the most ridiculous shows can stay on the air like cartoons for “adults”.
My husband and I are very disappointed our show was cancelled. It was an exciting and action packed show with superb actors. I hope NBC will
reconsider and bring back one of the best shows on.
I loved this show I started telling everyone I talked to about it. And now they go to witch it and it’s done that suckes. It was different the plot was getting good. I think it would be stupid not to keep it on. I want to witch more of this show please make more episodes.
I really enjoyed this show, It was something new and different then what is on tv now. The shows are the same an getting boring, as for this one new, different, and exciting.
I for one enjoyed Each And Every Episode. That is the ONLY reason I stil watcj shows with commercials. I DVR them and fast forward through commercials anyway. Be that as it may I enjoyed the show, it was different & good plots, that what u need on commercial tv. I am very surprised at Google ratings, as people must be watching HBOetc. No commercials. As I said earlier, if u Bring it back and show the remaining episodes, I will b watching. At least finish the show with a decent ending, instead of leaving everyone wondering, WTF. I watched… Read more »
This is a Great Show! Do not take it off… Change the day and time instead of fighting against the NFL for only a couple months. Play it again during the spring or summer.
We really enjoyed the player. This needs to stay on TV, just because it had to fight against football does not mean it is a bad show.
You know there was a time — in the good old days 😉 — when shows were played again during the summer months They were called reruns! And sometimes this would make or break a show that was teetering on the brink of cancellation. Why doesn’t NBC run The Player again during the doldrums of summer and see how they do? They only had 9 or 10 episodes anyway. Just like so many summer shows now which are just a regular and expected part of TV! Come on NBC…. take THAT idea and run with it…. PLEASE! I need my… Read more »
TRUE DAT! I’ve said it before…the dopes at the network that put it up against football doomed it from the beginning…yet they don’t cancel his/her paychecks! At least if you could see it in reruns, it would have a chance. And better yet? Even J-LO’s rating was 3rd place in the same time slot!
THE PLAYER series is excellent, do not give up on it so soon, bring it back and give it a chance to soar!!!