ABC continues to try to replace some of their aging hour-long TV series. Once Upon a Time will be renewed but how about The River? Cancelled after one short season?
The River revolves around the search for beloved TV host and explorer Doctor Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) some six months after he and his team went missing down the Amazon. His wife, son, their crew and a documentary team go after them on a rescue mission. As you might expect, they find more than they expected and the trip is fraught with danger. The cast includes Joe Anderson, Leslie Hope, Eloise Mumford, Paul Blackthorne, Thomas Kretschmann, Daniel Zacapa, Shaun Parkes, and Paulina Gaitan.
The paranormal/horror series got a double-episode launch on Tuesday, February 7th. The first hour averaged a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 8.35 million total viewers. The second hour drew a 2.3 demo rating with 6.83 million. Those demo numbers were better than what Body of Proof’s been getting but were still disappointing.
Looking at the half-hour breakdowns, you can see that the ratings steadily declined as the two hours progressed. Between the first half hour and the last, The River lost 15% in the demo and 26% in total viewership. That certainly wasn’t a good indication that those people would return for week two.
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And, they didn’t. For the third episode, The River’s demo fell a whopping 26% with a 1.7 rating with 4.96 million. Several shows also saw declines that night but The River was easily the biggest loser of the evening.
After just three installments, The River averages a 2.0 in the coveted demo and 5.9 million viewers. It ranks 12th on the list of ABC scripted shows for this season, just above already-cancelled sitcom Man Up!. The River also receives a “D+” on the ABC network report card. Unless the next episode attracts at least a 2.0 rating, the season average and grade will drop even further.
Based on this early performance, it looks certain that The River will be cancelled after one season. The network only ordered eight episodes so there are only five produced installments remaining. The last is expected to air on March 20th. Given that this is an ongoing mystery series, it seems highly unlikely that the story will be wrapped up by the finale.
But, what do you think? Have you been enjoying The River? Do you think it deserves to be cancelled or get a renewal for season two? Cancel or keep it?
Image courtesy ABC.
The River is rdiculous . Dolls coming to life and ghosts turns me off.
I know this show is made by the people who made Paranormal Activity, but lose the “monkey cam” effect, it gives me a headache and removes any cinematography skill. Rely on the story and characters, not some poorly done gimmick from Blair Witch and Cloverfield.
I was a little bored by the premier episodes but tuned in to Episode 3 because I love Bruce Greenwood’s work and I wanted to give the show another chance. I thought the series picked up considerably in Episode 3. I was kind of riveted. Hardly any Greenwood, unfortunately, but I heard an interview with him that said he was going to get a lot more play in upcoming episodes so I am definitely going to keep watching. I wish they wouldn’t decide to cancel a series so early on — let’s give it a chance.
What a ridiculous premise for a show. Worse than Lost. I can see it opening doors/story lines that will never be closed, just as Lost did. I watched Lost until it got far fetched and I’m not gonna fall for that again. I mean, missing people alive or dead inhabiting the body of another and, “communicating”. Really?
they should cancel the river and every other american tv show. they all suck.
bad written, bad acted, full of boring romance and nothing else.
usa tv is dead. deal with it. get over it.
Obviously haven’t watched The Walking Dead. (other than that show I couldn’t agree more)
Love it! Creepy, guilty pleasure, and fun to watch!
I’m enjoying the show, and I hope it’s not cancelled.
I watched the episode I missed on Hulu and it was pretty good! Most of the developments I really couldn’t care less about, but Paul Blackthorne’s character was subtle and deep (well, as deep as the script would allow). You can see real pain, disappointment, and longing in his portrayal of “the other man” — and that moment where he stepped up to the bat and heroically offered himself up as a sacrifice to save the woman he loves and the others, only to have his hopes dashed by her when she says she shouldn’t have let their relationship go… Read more »
Really not very interesting. I wanted to give itmore of a chance but the camera work is soooo distracting. The producers may think its trendy or cutting edge but its just ridiculous. Can you imagine if Lost was filmed this way? Wouldn’t have lasted past the first season and neither will The River. The story isn’t compelling and it isn’t in THE LEAST BIT scary. I have removed the season pass on my DVR.
A scripted reality show. I am sick and tired of hand held cameras along with language bleeps like this is some reality show.
Reality shows suck. Scripted reality shows suck to the nth degree.
Cancel this loser!
How is this a “scripted reality show” exactly? This is horror/fictional found footage just like the Paranormal Activity movies, Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project, and never pretended to be anything but. We know it’s made up, it’s advertised as made up. The wonky camera angles, tropes, and bleeped expletives serve to draw us into the story and add to the creepiness of it. Since you don’t seem to have a clue, here are some examples of scripted reality TV: Jersey Shore The Real World Big Brother Man vs Wild (headed to a hotel, better drink my own pee) Storage… Read more »
Jersey Shore and The River, along with your other examples, are nothing alike. I’d explain this but people that THINK already know better.
The acting, images, and story are hackneyed and just plain terrible. Kudos on ripping off the Blair Witch Project in episode 1. I must go puke now.
I rather stick my head a river full of crocks then watch any more of the River. Cancel it.
The acting sucks and the story sucks. Cancel it!
I thought the first hour was very boring..but I kept watching. I was very happy to see an improvement during the second. I enjoyed the third episode and looking forward to this week. Maybe a lot of people got bored with the first hour and should try giving it a second chance
I have actually found The River very good, especially because of how differently it is set up. I really don’t believe it would ever last more than a season because there isn’t a way to drag the story line out before it gets old. Would love some resolution to the story before it gets canceled though. I hope they might have done this, like Terra Nova did wrapping up everything but leaving just enough to come back. However I am sure it will probably be left on a big cliffhanger, oh well It will be good while it lasts I… Read more »
Very interesting. Watch with an open mind and you will enjoy it.