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 only watch a few shows because this always happens! Execs expect ratings but when you put a show in a difficult time slot…. guess i just do what i do during the day when there isnt anything on- Turn off the TV
SAVE!!!!!!! #NBCsavetheplayer. It is one of the better shows on tv now.
Damn good show! The best new show this season; great plot, strong characterization, wonderful chemistry. What’s not to like!
Move to Netflix or Showtime. Interesting premise that network TV can’t explore properly. If true there is a Strikeback connection, then in order to do justice to series should move to venue to cable. All of the stars are interesting with potentially interesting backgrounds. Frankly can’t imagine JLo’s show will be that much better.
Really enjoy this show. Maybe should be on a different night. Deserves time to find its audience especially amongst men. Pure adrenaline rush.
One of the best action programs on air. It should be move to a better time slot and saved
I love the show. Wesley Snipes is fantastic!
They should save it. This show is good. It has excellent fight sequences and the premise allows for an endless amount of scenarios to keep it rolling.
They should save it. This show is good. It has excellent fight sequences and the premise allows for an endless amount of scenarios to keep wit rolling.
Yes. The show needs to be saved. It’s on the busiest night on television, against the toughest competition. Put the show on Tuesday or Wednesday and watch it thrive.
I think they should consider moving this show to another night. Thursday nights are pretty packed with shows that have long standing loyal audiences. I really enjoy this show, and already consider it a must see, along with The Blacklist but have to dvr it because of The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Saving Hope, The Romeo Section (new Canadian show) Grey’s Anatomy and The Blacklist. Lots of dvr shows on Thurs. night for me. The Player deserves to be saved!
NBC gets on my last nerve. I am so tired of these networks getting us attached to these shows just to cut them in the middle of the season leaving people wondering foolishly why the heck they even started watching it in the first place. This is the time of DVR. People don’t just sit there and watch shows live anymore, and if they are, they are watching “How To Get Away With Murder” first before going to their DVR’s to watch “The Player”. Hint: change the time and day that you air it, or come to the conclusion that… Read more »
This is a very good show & all of my neighbors, family, & friends feel the same way! You can no longer rely on the ratings. How ridiculous! People DVR these shows, watch them on demand, Hulu, you name it! If the show is good, keep it. And this show is very good!!
It’s better than many of the shows currently on TV. Lots of action and Wesley Snipes. It’s one of the few shows I follow this season…
I agree with Anonymous and Blindside is not as good.
Great show, should be saved and moved time slots or even days. It has the potential the ground work is laid.