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?
“The Slap” aired on a really tough timeslot, opposite both “The Big Bang Theory” and “Grey’s Anatomy”. As long as those shows air in the 8 PM hour, anything that airs opposite those two shows gets low ratings and ends up cancelled.
I record the show and watch it whenever I want to. Time slots dont matter as much as they used to.
This is one of the best shows I have seen since Homefront. This story is unfolding like a good book I can’t stop reading. What next, what next. Please keep well thought out, well acted intelligent shows like this on the air.
I think the actors on the show do a great job with their characters but I don’t feel the topic is one that deserves to be covered in an eight part mini series; a two hour movie would suffice. Stop breast feeding this child, provide some discipline, and teach him to be respectful of others. End of story.
NO give it a chance 8 out of 10 new shows I view usually are picked up for no less than 3 seasons
Love the show. Find it hard to wait til the next Thursday for next installment. Enjoy Zachary Quinto. He’s excellent for his part.
I find the premise of this show too uncomfortable so for that reason, I’ve never watched it, nor will I. Although the subject matter does sound interesting, I’m not interesting in watching a television show about that. A documentary about a real event, yes, but not a fictional drama.
I’m not arguing with people who like it, I’m just adding a comment as to why it may have such low ratings.
I know I speak for others when I say that the main reason I haven’t watched the show is its name. I know that “you can’t judge a book by its title,” but it really makes it hard for me to pick this show off the shelf with such a laughable title.
Excellent show. I look forward each week with anticipation to see the next episode. Cast members keep up the great work. I believe more frequent advertisement may result in more viewers tuning in.
The Slap is the best thing to appear on network television in a very long time… There is an
intriguing storyline with fabulous acting and direction.
My husband and I both love the series and look forward to the evolving drama and how it impacts all of the various family members and friends involved.
We need more smart and sophisticated shows like this; there is such a dearth of intelligent shows to choose from in the current network mainstream.
Well said! I think this show has a wonderful unfolding story. If this were a book I would be finished by now cause I would have stayed up all night reading. I feel sad for those who haven’t watched due to the name or subject matter. They are assuming all the wrong things and really should see how a good story is formed.
I think you are talking about “Homeland” (not Homefront)….They should have put more thought into the name of the Show. “The Slap” is really silly. It is so much more than that.
From imbd. com Homefront (1991–1993) TV Series | 60 min | Drama, History, Reviews: 42 user World War II is over and the boys from the town of River Run, Ohio, are coming home. It seems that life is slowly back to normal, but war has changed everything and they will never be the same again. Creators: Lynn Marie Latham, Bernard Lechowick Stars: Kyle Chandler, Sammi Davis, Ken Jenkins Just consider the era; Trac housing, union battles and formations , racism, polio epidemic, women leaving the jobs they held while men were in service. So much more! If you have… Read more »
agree
I am enjoying “The Slap” but I’m not sure they can go further with it than 8 eps. And I find it very confusing that the same monster little boy also plays in “Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce” where he is also a monster little boy. Surely there must be lots of child actors out there – why use the same one, same season, on 2 different shows?
Yeah. This show sucks. I would never tolerate someone who would act like the little brats mother. Spoiled breast fed little brat deserves more than a slap.
.I actually do like the show. I’m looking forward to see what happens next. The Actors I think are good. I hope it isn’t cancelled. Maybe a lot of people don’t know to watch it. I’ve been telling people about the show and people seem interested in it so hopefully the show will get more viewers. It seems all the descent shows seem to get cancelled,
Its obvious that many people have not watched enough of this show to get a real feel for it. As the show is developing, it is obvious that is about much more than the first show and an adult slapping a child. Everyone on this show has issues and they are becoming more clear each week. I find this show to be much like real life. Look at all the kids running around the malls, restaurants, etc. out of control and the parents do nothing. Look at all the adults that cheat, lie, act like kids, etc. It is a… Read more »
I agree. Well said. If they how does tv work on Thursday night, move it, don’t cancel it. Thursday night is a really packed night with some well established shows. There is not much that can knock them out.
This may be too sophisticated for the demographic the ratings are reflecting. Excellent show. Please give us more of this kind of work.
Absolutely agree, this series is way too sophisticated for the prime time viewer.
And refreshingly so!
Agree!!!
After watching the first episode, I wanted to “delete series” from my DVR; however it had a lot of good advertising so I decided to watch more episodes before I made the decision to continue watching or hit the delete button. I’m glad I have continued watching. It was probably after the third episode that I decided I liked it, the writing, the development of the characters, the actors. I hope the show continues.