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?
My wife and I really enjoy the player. I hope it will not be cancelled.
Save the show. J lo will not survive either
Love this show…please don’t cancel it!
I really like this show. Wesley Snipes is probably the weakest acting link, but he’s alright. Tough competition on the other channels. Shame they won’t give it more time/episodes. I for sure won’t be watching Lopez and Liotta.
Snipes is definitely not the weakest link. He’s the main reason people are watching and is keeping the show on air. C’mon NBC think long term.
Excellent show. Please don’t cancel!
Agreed!
Why do you always take off the good shows and leave the junk behind. Like Americas got talent. Get real the player is great and your going to dump it. I wish someone would dump NBC.
I like the show, I think it is in a very hard time slot and night. It’s up against very popular and well established shows. I think it would do better on another night. They could try and bring it in as a replacement or over the summer. I hope they keep it.
I love the show, it has action and plot is good. Hope they don’t cancel it.
When they cancel this show I won’t watch the jlo show I keep hearing about. This show had no shot against sports events. This show has more action than any show on tv and the plot is just starting. I hope hulu or netflex picks it up. Seems like to get a guys show we have to go to the net.
This is agreat show. NBC thinks the voice Is great I don’t give the show a chance. It is as good or better than Blindspot which has received a full order. Give it a chance. I need something too watch that I really enjoy.
S
I love it – thought it was different but I do like the stars and the story. I have a hard time finding something I really look forward to watching but this is one I do. I like the storyline and love Philip Winchester. Please give it another chance. If you haven’t watched it is worth a shot.
I love the show. I watch it every week. Why cancel it ,it is just getting started. We need to see some more.
Keep the show just move it to a different time slot. Good show and Winchester is a future major action star. His Strike Back showed it too.
NBC will cancel it, network is run by morons.
I enjoy the show. Seem every good show is put against another good show and ends up being taken off and replaced with junk.
Very interesting show, it should not be canceled just yet give it a few more seasons!