Timeless NBC cast and crew. Pictured: (l-r) Goran Visnjic; Marney Hochman, Executive Producer; Arika Lisanne Mittman, Executive Producer; Malcolm Barrett; Abigail Spencer; EP Eric Kripke, co-creator; Sakina Jaffrey, Paterson Joseph, Claudia Doumit, Matt Lanter, EP Shawn Ryan, co-creator. (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC/Sony Pictures Television.)
No, #Clockblockers. You didn’t accidentally take the Lifeboat back to last spring. It is May of 2018, yet the Timeless TV show on NBC could be cancelled — again and much more permanently. Still, executive producers and co-creators Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan aren’t about to let Rittenhouse make catastrophic changes to the television timeline — at least not without a fight. Today, Kripke released a letter (below) explaining why Timeless is on the cancellation/renewal “bubble,” and that it is time for fans to do the most important thing — watch live — when Timeless airs on NBC.
Your assignment: Watch the May 6th episode, “The Day Reagan Was Shot,” at 10:00pm ET/PT, during the NBC broadcast. Kripke also revealed the season two finale (which we hope isn’t the Timeless TV series finale), will air earlier — on Sunday, May 13th at 9:00pm ET/PT, to accommodate the two-hour episode and gage its Nielsen ratings performance in a more family-friendly timeslot. Watch that when it airs, too. The two-part second season finale installments are entitled “The General” and “Chinatown” (check out all three episode descriptions, after Kripke’s letter).
An NBC action adventure drama, Timeless stars Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, Malcolm Barrett, Goran Višnjić, Paterson Joseph, Sakina Jaffrey, and Claudia Doumit. Season two follows Rufus (Barrett), Wyatt (Lanter), and Lucy (Spencer) on their quest to prevent the destruction of our world as we know it. Now they’re working with, instead of against Flynn (Višnjić), despite their misgivings.
Timeless: A Look at the Ratings
The second season of Timeless is averaging a 0.62 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 2.59 million viewers. Compared to season one, that’s down by 43% and 44%, respectively. Find out how Timeless stacks up against other NBC TV shows.
Although Kripke’s letter doesn’t mention it, in addition to watching live during the network broadcast, watching on NBC.com, the NBC app, or On-Demand (with commercials) also helps. The most important thing to do is watch live, however. If you tweet as you watch the episode, use the hashtags #Timeless and #RenewTimeless to help it trend. Nielsen also does social media reporting.
Timeless Season Three Cancellation/Renewal Chances
Here’s Kripke‘s tweet, with the attached letter.
#Clockblockers #RenewTimeless #Timeless @nbc @NBCTimeless #SPNFamily pic.twitter.com/YP6geFVKE0
— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) May 5, 2018
We’ve also uploaded the letter directly, in case your workplace blocks Twitter, or you have other problems viewing it. Check it out.
(Courtesy of Eric Kripke)
[TIP: If it’s still too small, right-click and open the image in a new window or tab, then increase the size.]
SPOILER ALERT: Timeless Episode Descriptions
SPOILERS ahoy. Check out these NBC episode descriptions for the final three hours of Timeless season two. Caveat lector.
May 06, 2018 10:00 PM
(Colleen Hayes / NBC)
THE DAY REAGAN WAS SHOT (TV-14)
The Time Team travels back to 1981 Washington D.C. on the day President Reagan was shot, only to discover that the Sleeper’s target isn’t the President – but a young rookie police office – none other than Agent Christopher (Sakina Jaffrey), who brought the time team together and kept the Lifeboat from getting into Rittenhouse’s hands. The Time Team must save Agent Christopher’s life and prevent her from making a mistake that set her on a different path that would forever change her own future, the future of the team — and the future of the world.
May 13, 2018 9:00 PM
(Ron Batzdorff / NBC)
THE GENERAL / CHINATOWN
“The General” When the Mothership jumps to South Carolina in 1863, the Time Team partners up with a courageous Union spy and military leader, Harriet Tubman – AKA “The General” – to thwart Rittenhouse’s plan to alter the outcome of the Civil War. Back in the present, Rittenhouse hits the team where it hurts the most.
“Chinatown” SEASON FINALE – When Jiya (Claudia Doumit) makes a daring escape from Rittenhouse that strands her in San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1888 with no way home, the fractured Time Team goes back to save her in this emotional and action-packed finale that leaves the team questioning everything.
What do you think? Should NBC cancel or renew Timeless for a third season? Let us know below.
It would be so wrong to cancel Timeless. It provokes thought, makes you wonder what our prior generations endured, allows us to get a glimpse into the past & it is very imaginative. I love the characters, the writing & story lines & I feel I’m going to the movies every Sunday along with my ancestors in the comfort of my home. Phenomenal Show, Fantastic Crew-I feel I know You on screen…Thanks & Please Keep up the Great Job! FAITHFULLY Yours, FranniCat
Timeless should have more than one more season
What an awesome show. I find it entertaining, informative, funny, thoughtful and its a learning experience. Several of us talk about it at work on Mondays. Its great to have something different on tv. Please keep it, put it on at a time more watchable (or count my dvr “warching”). We dont need more room for another Chicago _____ or another Law and Order or a reboot because it was popular 10 years ago. Grow what you have because you have viewers who are invested. Some folks move to cable shows because we’re given something different and interesting. You’ve got… Read more »
How do they know we watch live if we aren’t a Neilson house? Do the cable companies report viewership?
Please keep #Timeless it’s the best show on today. I live for the time team each week.
Please dont cancel Timeless….Its actionpacked and keeps you on edge through the whole show..just about the only show that i really enjoy..going through time and not a ridiculous way about it..please keep it going …
Move to earlier, family friendly hour! Smart, fun, and packed with history
They bring the show back and put it against Walking Dead/Talking Dead/Fear the Dead, then act surprised when the ratings are down. This show is smart, interesting, not boring at all. It’s not the same old everyone sleeping with everyone else. It’s not another cop/fireman/lawyer show. Keep it running, there are people that still care enough about the show.
Better yet, just move the show to Netflix. I’m sure it will do well there and they will be happy to have a great show with an established following.
I love this show! Please don’t cancel. I’ve learned so much about history from watching it and the acting and story lines are so well done. Please please don’t cancel.
Please don’t cancel Timeless! !! It is one of the few shows left that actually have story lines that aren’t all about sex,drugs,people walking around naked constantly. This show is about history,and by watching it my kids have actually become interested in the history of our world instead of just their electronic devices. Now I think having 4 teens interested in learning, all because of an awesome tv show is great,amazing! Please don’t cancel this show. There has been nothing else like Timeless since Quantum Leap was on tv,nothing that grabs you, pulls you in,has you on the edge of… Read more »
That’s probably why it’s being cancelled. No sex or drugs. It’s really dumb.
I love this show it’s one of the few I watch on a regular basis.
Not really going to be able to do my part…. And NBC is completely stupid if they think live watching a TV drama matters in this day and age.
Please do not cancel this show. I love Timeless.
wow, one of the best shows on T.V.
Timeless is awesome. My kids are excited about it. Its part of our family conversation. Save Timeless. Ratings are ratings. But it means nothing when you set up a family show for failure when its at the wrong time. So lets keep the family together. Renewtimeless.
No canceling on timeless please.awsome show!its different and refreshing.