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.”
![]() |
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?
Get our free email alerts on TV shows in this article:
Image courtesy NBC.
I absolutely love love Trauma!! I am in nursing school and can tell you that the situations that occur and the medical terminology is current, unlike a lot of what went on on ER! I really hope that they dont cancel this show, its great stuff and a big relief from all the lowly reality tv that airs lately!!
Trauma must continue, it is a great opportunity for viewers to see what these brave men and women go through each day. It is way better than any medical show I have ever seen. I am currently going through EMT school and this show truly helped open up my eyes to see what they go through every day. Please give this show a chance and don’t change the characters they are all amazing and are perfect for this show.
Is Trauma cancelled or not does anyone know. I am a paramedic and this show is just like the real thing.
This show is amazing
my family and i watch it religiously
it is the only thing we ever watch on NBC
It reminds me almost of ER which was another of our favorites
if this show is canceled i can honestly say we will no longer be supporting NBC
they obviously do not realize a good show
just because it isnt a reality show or a “comedy”(that usually are not even funny)
doesnt mean it wont work
dont cancel the show
PLEASE DONT CANCEL THE SHOW IT WAS MY FAVORITE!!! I LOVED IT!!! I LOVED IT!! PLEASE!! THIS WAS THE BEST SHOW EVER!! PLEASE AIR IT!!! KEEP IT GOING I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WOULD LOVE THAT!!!! YOU HAVE TO THINK WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS THINKIN NOT JUST WHAT YOU ARE! PLEASE DONT CANCEL TRAUMA!!!!
THANK YOU
My Family and I waited for Mondat nights,We watched every week Heros,then Trauma ,My son would stay up just to watch ,he is 14 and loves the show as do we all.I believe it should get a second chance,I hope they reconsider and bring it back.
I have enjoyed the show, but the one thing that bothers me is that every week there is a ‘CNN Breaking Story’ level emergency. How many times do we need to see a disaster triage area setup – every week? Time to tone down the huge events and focus on the day to day operations. Tell the stories of the average day. So I was happy to read “They also started focusing more on personal stories and less on expensive special effects.” And if Jay Leno going back to late night opens up a bunch of slots, NBC should clearly… Read more »
I couldn’t believe this excellent show was cancelled. Say it isn’t so. It was my favorite of the new shows and it appears I am not alone.
I think the only reason this show didn’t pull more viewers from the beginning was because it was up against ‘Dancing with the Stars’ which not only etablished before it started this season, but started the 2009 season before ‘Trauma”. Once I noticed that the Monday episode could be seen Friday night, I know longer had a conflict, but realize now that watching it on Friday didn’t get include in the ratings. I’ve watched every episode on-line at least three times. I love the show, I love the characters and how the characters are being developed. Please bring it back!
What is the matter with network programming? This is a great new show, with solid characters with quirks and interesting personalities, plus the San Francisco scenery. As an avid TV and movie viewer, I for one am darn sick and tired of television execs cutting a decent show after just a few airings. How is show to ever gain an audience, if they toss if after less than 20 episodes? I’ve got news for you people, I moved to Dish Network and DVR (I have a 350 hour box) so that I can record a season – and wait to… Read more »
This is one of the best shows on the air. Don’t understand the reason to cancel good shows like Trauma and Three Rivers and leave on stupid “reality” shows. I think most of the public is fed up with reality.
Please don’t cancel Trauma.
I love that it takes place in the “city”…San Francisco.
I like Cliff Curtis character in Trauma.
This is a wonderful show full of action and suspense. I cannot get enough!! PLEASE bring it back!!!
You cancel a great show like ‘Trauma’, the ONLY thing close to the drama that ER brought us, and want us to watch what? Parks & Rec? Chuck? Please! Don’t insult me any more than you already have. No wonder you guys are going down hill fast. You have no clue what we want to watch. Do the lot of us a big favor and put ‘Trauma’ back on. It was the only decent thing you had going for you! It was a great show.
Don’t cancel Trauma. The networks are flooded with “reality” shows. Some viewers do not relish watching people fighting for food in mosquito filled mud pits. Perhaps it is not E.R. or Chicago Hope but give the characters time to develop. The fact that it does not have a regular time slot makes it difficult to gain a following.
LOVE!LOVE IT!LOVE IT! DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW, IT IS ONE OF YOUR MOST ACTION PACKED SERIES ON TV TODAY AND ADMIT IT, NOT EVERYONE IS A MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL FAN.