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.”
 Loading ... |
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.
Please, please, please … bring back Rabbit and the rest!! This is about the only TV show I watched that wasn’t a reality show. Why do you always yank the good ones and silly, animated shows like The Simpsons stay on forever??? I want Trauma back!!! STAT!
I think Trauma is a great show! I didn’t help the ratings, though, since Mondays are busy and I watched the episodes on Hulu. I especially liked the last episode. I think it keeps getting better and, obviously, more episodes allows for more “character attachment”. I personally like it better than ER because you get the street side and still a bit of the hospital treatment. Very good. Hope they keep it.
Yes they need to bring back this show…it was one of my favorites…it gets me so mad that they bring these good shows out then cancel them right away and dont even give them a chance…i liked this show from the start though same with southland…and they went and cancelled that show on me as well…pretty soon i wont even bother with watching tv….why bother they will cancel it anyways….why dont they cancel one of the dumb reality shows….bachelor 25, or survivor 18, or biggest loser something…aaah well …i know some watch those shows…sorry dont wish your show to be… Read more »
I think Trauma is a fantastic show, and people should give it a chance. There are not many great television shows, and potientially good ones are always cancelled. The case with The Listener, fantastic show, Cancelled. So much money is poured into the same comedy shows! Invest a little in good ones! All there ever is on the few big networks are talk shows and the same old comedy shows, which are good but how many shows are going to come up that have the same kinds of humor. Kyle XY, cancelled. There are so many good shows that are… Read more »
I loved the show. Why in the world would ya’ll cancel it. I use to look forward to Monday nights. That was my night.. Please bring it back. I loved me some probe
Please do not cancel,This show rocked.
watched er for many years hated to see it go, but Trauma brought back new life to tv…. I would really hope they reconsider and bring it back…. it seems like the mindless reality tv shows are taking over the networks, which not only saddens me but it’s a moot point… Just how many reality tv shows do we have to be forced to watch? it’s dull and redundant…..So lets keep our fingers and toes crossed that they will bring Trauma back…..
My hunsband and love this show………………….The plot just keeps you guessing…………..
We miss it and pray that the show will continue
oh my god please dont take away trauma this is one of the best shows on i love this show i dont watch much t.v but i make sure i watch this one PLEASE KEEP TRAUMA
This is the best show since ER. I love it. It is my favorite show. You find a show that people like and look forward to watching and can relate to and then they cancel it. What kind of sense does that make. BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please keep or bring back TRAUMA on NBC I love this show.
BRING THIS SHOW BACK! I Loved it so much! I would make sure to watch it every monday! I fell in love with all the characters and their drama working around these tough situations. I’ve never seen a show that brings this perspective of EMTs to live and I know it’s only a show but I’ve begun to appreciate actual ambulance and EMTs more. This was my favorite show! PLease have it come back!
Trauma is NO Friday Night Lights. That is all.
TRAUUMAA IS THE BEST I LOVE IT SO MUUCH! GLEN IS SUPER HOT! YOU SHOULD CANCEL SOME OTHER CRAPPY SHOW..NOT TRAUMA!
Keep TRAUMA on! I don’t watch very much on NBC, Law and Order, Mercy and Trauma. Most of the rest is garbage. Like someone else said early, we just got a chance to get in to Southland and its cancelled. I am just getting fed up with the ABC, CBS and NBC and am starting to watch a lot more cable networks.