NBC recently unveiled a new mini-series on Thursday nights — The Slap. How’s the show been performing? Is it a big enough success that the network will want to make a second season somehow or, is it a bomb that should be pulled off the schedule?
On The Slap TV show, a birthday celebration comes to an abrupt halt when a man slaps another couple’s misbehaving child. It’s a small action that ends up deeply affecting all involved. The cast for the mini-series includes Peter Sarsgaard, Thandie Newton, Uma Thurman, Makenzie Leigh, Zachary Quinto, Dylan Schombing, Thomas Sadoski, Melissa George, Brian Cox, Lucas Hedges, Maria Tucci, Marin Ireland, and Penn Badgley.
The eight-episode series debuted on February 12th to a very disappointing 1.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and just 5.13 million viewers. Things got even worse in week two with the numbers falling more than 20%. Last week, the ratings dropped again, falling to a disastrous 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demo with 3.67 million viewers.
It’s clear that The Slap is a big “miss” for NBC and, more importantly, it’s not giving The Blacklist any lead-in support in its new Thursdays at 9pm timeslot.
After tonight’s installment, the network will have four episodes left. While NBC will no doubt let viewers see the remaining episodes, it seems highly unlikely that they’ll leave it in its Thursday night timeslot much longer. A Saturday night burn-off or online release appears to be the most likely scenario.
3/6 update: NBC has cancelled Allegiance and shifted The Slap to the Thursdays at 10pm timeslot for the remainder of its four week run.
4/3 update: NBC has confirmed that The Slap has ended with eight episodes.
But, what do you think? Do you like The Slap? Do you think the network should keep airing it or pull the series prematurely? Why do you think it hasn’t caught on?
Cancel this crap
This show is not doing well because it’s on network television. Cable is a much better place for a grown up show such as this. Network TV is geared for the lowest IQ individuals in the U.S. so of course an intelligent adult show such as the Slap will confuse many.
Network TV is filled with dumb childish comedies and assinine viagra commercials. Should come as no surprise that the only network TV show I watch and enjoy is the Slap.
The Slap is an interesting story line. The show keeps your interest however it is up against Greys which is still a popular series
I love it. A very intelligent show with well defined characters. I hope they keep it on.
I think it’s pretty awful. The characters are all unlikable. The lead, Peter Sarsgaard, is an awful actor. He says all his lines like he is in a third grade school play. The show, like most, is trying to shock through gratuitous sex and plot lines. Don’t they know audiences these days are unshockable?
I am very much enjoying this miniseries. All the actors are top-notch and the plot is fascinating. It might be having trouble because its pulp competition attracts mainstream viewers. This is called the “dumbing down” of America and it’s appalling. I hope The Slap continues in the NBC line-up. I would watch it no matter what time/night it’s on.
I love the show. The dynamics of how it has affected so many in so many different ways is fascinating and believable. My question is why is the 18 – 49 demographic the polling you are so concerned about? To remove a show because 18 year olds are not watching is ridiculous. I’m 58. I’ve seen a lot and learned a lot, and this show is so far very interesting and keeps me coming back. I think you should re-evaluate the demographics you use to poll opinions and viewers.
I agree with you, Diane. I’m also 58 – unfortunately, the advertisers seemed to stop caring about what we think. I’m loving The Slap – it’s opened up so many conversations amongst friends and family members.
Please continue this show! It is one of the better shows on TV now — and I fall within exactly the age group mentioned. I am stunned that the show allegedly has such low ratings, but please do not keep pulling quality programming in order to cater to the lowest common denominator. Please have the courage to keep on at least one or two shows that go deeper than the sex and gore and take a more nuanced, sincere, realistic, and touching look at humanity. Perhaps if our airwaves had some more of this type of programming, our culture as… Read more »
I’m seriously enjoying it. I think if it’s released on DVD it will become a sleeper hit. It’s too grown-up for network TV.
I like the show. It’s interesting how such an action can affect so many in different ways. The story is not the usual family tv story, it explores something that is very real in our culture. The show is probably too realalistic for most viewers looking to be entertained by a tv program. The characters in the show are not likable people either. They are all too flawed. It needs a main character that is more honorable. The acting in the show is very good. I don’t see how it can continue in it’s present state.
I think THE SLAP is a study of humanity in the most rudimentary sense. Upheavels of values. Family. Legal system. Spoiled adults. Spoiler children. Questions of how we are raised. Products of our environment? Life is not fair! Do we counter everything with a lawsuit? Or teach for every action there are consequences. You swing a bat and get slapped! I am not sure…..however there are many worse things in our lives. Please continue.
I like the show very much. I hope it is not canceled. I am not part of the “golden” age group that advertisers covet. I suppose I don’t count for anything. I wish the rating system would go away. I really doubt that it is very accurate. How many of us know someone who reports for the Neilsen ratings? I sure don’t!
Please give the show a chance. I look forward to it each Thursday.
Good show / good characters.. Please renew
Give the show a chance
I really have been liking the Slap. I’m so surprised it hasn’t caught on. It’s an excellent show & I hope it isn’t cancelled. I guess it wasn’t promoted enough or in the right way.
My husband and I really enjoyed this show. We were just saying how unusual it is for a show to have such well developed characters and each person has such interesting story. We are really surprised to hear that it has such poor rating. One wonders what people find interesting these days….really, a bunch of housewives yapping at one another? OMG!