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.
I don’t know how watching live helps. I get my TV by HD antenna so no one can count that. Even if I had cable, I’m not sure how my viewership is gauged. But since due to the 10 PM slot, I have to watch another day with the app, which I’m sure can be tracked better
Please do not cancel “Timeless.” WE watch very few first-run network television shows any more, but this is one that we do and we want to support it and keep it around as long as possible. Great show! We look forward to it every week!
Please don’t cancel. This is the only show like it on TV, and it’s great!!
Please renew Timeless for Season 3. I am in love with this show and have been ever since episode 1 season 1. I love it because it is a different and unique concept. I love history too. I love the complex characters, the storyline, the humour and the costumes. I will be devastated if it is not brought back. I am going keep believing it will be renewed.
Shirley
Please! Do not cancel Timeless! It is such a good show… love the history and the chemistry between cast members. I watch on demand on my days off… not everyone can watch live.I loved season 1 but 2 has been even better. NBC seems to be canceling or thinking of canceling many good shows lately. Hoping that Timeless gets renewed!
Love time travel shows, please do NOT cancel this excellent show. I learn history and the scripts are so well written and interesting.
Love, love, love this show! Please, please, please renew it! Great characters, wonderful writing, exciting storylines, and fantastic production! What more could you want?! #ClockBlockers #Timeless
Please, please renew Timeless. I seldom watch commercial television anymore……..I do have a brain and like to stimulate it. Yes, I do have a DVR and use it whenever I can, but if it takes forgoing skipping thru commercials to keep Timeless on, I will do that……even for two hours on the 13th. BTW, are you really trying to keep Timeless on the air? That’s Mother’s Day!
I love the show, but i don’t watch anything on tv with commercials, even sports. That’s why i have a dvr.
Please do not cancel Timeless! It’s a thoughtful show that has strong characters and good storylines each week. Plus, it’s different from so many other shows – all the sitcoms, reality shows and hospital/police dramas all run together but Timeless stands out!
Please keep Timeless. Its my favorite show. I have never been so obsessed (in a good way) with a tv show. It inspires and enchants me. I Just love it! #Timeless #renewtimeless
I hope NBC renews Timeless for a third season because I do enjoy every aspect of this show. I have watched it since Season 1 and was relieved when it was announced the decision was made to reverse cancellation and bring it back for another season. There must be one Network Executive with an inkling of what quality looks like. As it is, I am watching fewer and fewer network television shows each year because the content being produced is mind-numbing, regurgitated muck. If this show is also cancelled, I doubt I will watch whatever they decide to put into… Read more »
I absolutely love Timeless. I am a teacher and love how it incorporates history into each episode. My entire family now watches it across several states. Please renew it for Season 3
Pleade keep Timeless going! It is unique and actually informative and thought provoking. Quantum Leap got off to a slow start, but given a little support, it went 5 years. Do not let this show be killed off by a society of short attention span.
This show has improved from last year and deserves a 3rd season!! NBC needs to continue to invest in and PROMOTE this show. This year’s stories involve all seven cast members in new and interesting team-ups…Rufus & Flynn!! Don’t cancel this show, we need to know the mystery of Wyatt’s wife!!