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?
The Player is definitely worth saving. Maybe move it to Weds night as was suggested, or to Saturday nights the way the network saved “Hunter” back in the 1980s. When that move happened, the show ran for 7 seasons. I’d love to see the same happen to The Player. It is definitely worth the effort.
this is a highly intelligent show….which is probably why it’s being considered for cancellation….TV execs must be part of the instant gratification set that believes if you are not completely sold on something in the first 30 minutes it must not be worth saving….the dumbing down of America…….how about letting it get its legs under it, let it build to become what it is meant to be while not competing with football or other network premier shows….think of it this way….how well do you think ANY other movie released the same week STAR WARS is going to do?!….does that mean… Read more »
I agree with others were posted on this website… The show should be moved to another slot, but, save it… I like the action I like Wesley Snipes. I like Philip Winchester…
What did they expect? They put an action based show up against the NFL!!! The key demo will always pick the NFL even though most NFL games are garbage now. NBC has a winner on its hands if it sticks with this show and makes some minor modifications (like showing more recognizable Vegas locales as another poster mentioned). The action is great, the cast is solid. Wesley Snipes is a perfect fit as a ruthless half villain/half backer of the main character. Great disappointment if this is cancelled. Think Burn Notice on NBC meets Blade.
I really enjoy the show. I think it is fun, has action, and the storyline is interesting. Hopefully they’ll just move it to a better time slot
I really enjoy the show. It got off to a rocky start but the story and characters have really improved. Episode 2 almost made me give up but I’m all in after episode 3. Last weeks episode was great. Save this show … nice to not have another hospital show … enough is enough.
Love the show I’m surprised the ratings are low!
I love the show.Can’t believe they are cancelling it.
I think if more of it was filmed on the Strip or Fremont Street it will attract more viewers.
The show is great action and maybe the best action packed show on TV, and has great actors and dialogue, I hope they realize this a great show that just needs to be on a different night, maybe Wednesday
I would much rather watch the player hands down over any attempt to grab ratings by pushing another overly hyped and underwritten drama like we all know shades of blue is going to surely be i mean ray liota maybee j-lo hell no plz dont show..and my family and friends feel the same there is enough drama on t.v to choose from what we all want is some fricking action …………..
I really hope they give this show a chance. It’s the first good show we’ve had in awhile. I’d say let’s give it at least another season!!!
#savetheplayer #dontcancel
I really like this show and I’m disappointed i
Love the show and the characters. Hope it doesn’t get cancelled.
I enjoy The Player, it’s one of the most action shows on TV. I watch a lot of TV and I’ve found myself watching this show more than some of my old faithful shows.
I like this show! I can’t believe they are cancelling it!!!!