Though the Monday night drama was declared “cancelled” back in October, NBC made a surprising move and ordered three additional episodes of Trauma a few weeks later. Is this a sign that the show’s not dead yet? Executive Producer Jeffrey Reiner hopes not.
Trauma follows a group of San Francisco first responders as they try to save the lives of those in need. The cast includes Derek Luke, Cliff Curtis, Anastasia Griffith, Kevin Rankin, Aimee Garcia, Billy Lush, Jamey Sheridan, and Taylor Kinney.
Networks will rarely admit that a TV show has been cancelled, especially while they still have some unaired episodes on the schedule. Still, NBC essentially cancelled Trauma when the network acknowledged that they wouldn’t be ordering any more episodes. If you don’t make any more episodes, the show’s over.
Reiner tells the Mercury News, “The obituaries were piling up. A lot of people naturally thought we were dead… And NBC did nothing to counteract those reports.”
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But Reiner says that he and his collaborators didn’t take the news lying down. With some episodes still left to produce, they cut more than $500,000 from the show’s production budget. They also started focusing more on personal stories and less on expensive special effects. He mused, “There’s definitely less adrenaline and action-figure stuff… We’re not a soap opera, but we’re getting a feel for who these characters are and I think viewers are becoming invested in them.”
The cost savings, coupled with the hope that ratings will get better and the network’s need for a bit more programming, likely caused NBC to order three more episodes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t likely change the show’s chances of getting a second season. The show would need an infusion of viewers for that to happen. Reiner said, “We’re barely hanging in there, but at least we’re in the hunt right now… And that’s all we can ask for.”
As devoted viewers have surely noticed, the show’s not currently on the schedule. It’s on a lengthy hiatus, a programming move that’s not likely to help the show’s ratings improve. NBC hasn’t said when Trauma will return but the remaining six installments probably won’t air until February 2010 at the earliest.
Still, Reiner refuses to give up hope and likens it to his experience working on Friday Night Lights, a show that was always on the verge of being cancelled, “Heck, we thought we were dead every year, but we lived to fight on. You just concentrate on doing the best work you can — and wait with bated breath.”
What do you think? Is there still hope for Trauma? If the show doesn’t come back, how would you like it to end?
Image courtesy NBC.
My mother and I used to watch Trauma every Monday night…But for some strange reason is off the air..Can you please, please bring it back…There were some parts of the show that are soo funnyyy and serious at the same time..The character Rabbit will always make me laugh..He will make me forget any financial stress due to our ill economy..
I was sad to see that it had been cancelled too. What a dumb move on NBC’s part.
I’m really upset about the future of Trauma. It is a very good show. My husband and I really looked forward to it. My son is a parametic and said some of it IS true to life as alot is not, but still very interesting. He even liked watching it and that is his profession. Why do they always take off the good shows. Take off some of the stupid sitcoms out there. I hope NBC will consider trying it another season.
One of the best new shows NBC has aired. The top execs at NBC just never give shows a fair shot. What were they thinking putting Leno on in prime time five nights a week. If that doesn’t kill NBC as one of the top three I don’t know what will. Canceling shows like Trauma is certainly a good start to their demise. I’m glad the top execs have at least considered giving it a second chance, now if they would just figure out the right time to air it and the show will be a smashing hit and a… Read more »
Bring it back, Trauma was very entertaining for everyone. Someone always has to complain about something. This show was great and I’m revived thinking you will be bringing it back for another 6 episodes. My husband and I looked forward to each week when it was on, and we loved the characters.
PLEASE PLEASE keep it going.
Keep TRAUMA – save lives! Okay, that’s a bit much…but TRAUMA is a great ride, one that has gotten better each episode. EMTs say it’s unrealistic — and they are right, it’s just sprited entertainment with a twist of adrenaline and most recently some unexpected comedy. Compelling character-driven story arcs will keep this show going if NBC gives TRAUMA a time slot in which it can build an audience. NBC — Get some return on your investment and bring back TRAUMA.
This is the Guy’s Grey’s. Please don’t cancel it! The characters are natural and set up for many seasons of interaction. It’s a great vehicle for other shows too e.g., Trauma: NYC . Pump it and it will sell!
The sad part? We have seen reality shows till we’re puking reality. Whats new or exciting about reality tv? Nothing! A winner, a loser and a lot of BS inbetween. We have CSI miami NY why not make a CSI for all states and we’ll just say we got it ALL covered. MERCY? I just don’t get whats so great about mercy. AT ALL. And I dont watch it nor will I. Coming from a trauma junky, a person who actually works in this business and does some of the very things I see on this show…I’m not afraid to… Read more »
Great Stories! Great Cast! Great Acting! Great Show!
This is the only show I watch on this channel.
Bring it back!
I would like it to end with a big stick up the NBC execs *ss, and a trauma team trying to pull his head out of it. What a farce with so much drivel shown on Tv a decent series start and they pull the plug. Great acting, good story but we didn’t sell any dog food, gotta cancel it.
Trauma is the only reason I watch NBC! I can’t remember the last time I turned on their channel to watch anything else. I am all CSI’d out and Trauma was a refreshing new cast and show. Lots of action with interesting characters… makes for a perfect Monday evening. I have been bummed (to put it mildly) for the last two weeks when I couldn’t find Trauma on NBC so I google’d it tonight, only to find that it’s been cancelled!?!?! Unbelievable. NBC should definitely reconsider this show. Cut the budget back – do some special episodes when it’s affordable… Read more »
I love Trauma. My teen daughter and I can’t wait for Monday night to watch! It’s the ONLY reason I switch from CBS primetime for one-hour per week. The cast is refreshingly diverse in ethnicity, the storylines are relatable, and the time slot is just perfect for busy moms of tots like me. I HOPE NBC EXECS WOULD PLEASE RECONSIDER . . . or else, take it to Lifetime. Worked great for Heidi Klum and Project Runway 🙂
I LOVE Trauma! as an EMT Specialist, there aren’t many shows on T.V. that we can really relate to. But this show was farely accurate, right down to the fakers, the stress on the job, the emotions, and even the relationships. I loved the charachters and really can’t wait to see what happens between Nancy and Rabbit. I don’t tend to watch much T.V. but wouldn’t miss a single minute of Trauma. PLEASE don’t cancel it. You finally have a great show, don’t let it go!
they can’t cancel trauma! i love this medical show, especially this one and it has the perfect amount of action and just a tad bit of the a personal story with the characters. also lance is crazy! trauma kicks ass!
i loved this show! the other medical shows were never this good… so why did they cancle this one? 🙁