Last May, NBC announced that it would be adding two new medical shows. Trauma would begin airing in the Fall and Mercy would come in early 2010. That plan got messed up when production on Parenthood, another new show, was delayed, and Mercy was brought in early to take its place.
With two new medical dramas on the network, many suspected there was going to be one too many. A few months later, one is struggling to survive and the other has been effectively cancelled.
Trauma revolves around a group of first responder paramedics in San Francisco. The high-action series is populated by an ensemble cast that includes Derek Luke, Cliff Curtis, Anastasia Griffith, Kevin Rankin, Aimee Garcia, Billy Lush, Jamey Sheridan, and Taylor Kinney.
The drama has had problems attracting viewers from the beginning. Its premiere only attracted 6.68 million viewers and a 2.2/5 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. The following week, the numbers sank to 5.36 million and a 1.7/4. The numbers have been rising slowly since then but not by much. Monday’s episode hit a post-premiere high of 5.77 million and a 1.9/5, putting the show in fourth place for the timeslot.
To no surprise, NBC has decided not to order additional episodes of Trauma. While all 13 episodes of the series will be aired, the network won’t be ordering any more. It’s unknown if the cast and crew will be able to give the show any closure by the last episode.
What do you think? Are you disappointed that Trauma is ending or should it have been cancelled awhile ago?
UPDATE: Trauma returning with new episodes.
Image courtesy NBC.
I loved the show and will miss it very much. It was nice having action on the tv that people could relate to. Everything else is a cop show. I liked having a little bit of all the parts of saving lives thrown in there. Nbc needs to really watch what people like give it a chance and put shows out at the right time and place.
Finally a great character-driven medical show on regular network TV & they cancel it before even giving it a chance. This is why cable TV rules! TNT & USA know how to put on & support GREAT shows!!
I think that cancelling one of the best medical shows since ER is a big mistake on NBCs part. My family loves this show. It has all the characters and Mercy absolutly sucks. NBC needs to pull there head out or they are going to be the ones being cancelled.
I think this is awfull. Trauma was a greaaaat show!!! It was full of drauma and lots of action, I like Mercy but I think this show is better. I am dissapointed and discusted they cancelled this show. Obviously the network has no taste. Pleeeease bring this show back it was very real for the first time.
I think that Trauma was a very good show our entire family would sit around and watch it as a family. It was a bad idea to cancel the show. NBC needs to bring it back.
Trauma was an absolutely fabulous show. NBC has clearly made some bad calls lately when it comes to shows. This is one more example. I doubt they’ll get any more of my support – there are plenty of other networks that offer what their viewers want.
From Wikipedia : On November 19. 2009, NBC reversed its decision, announcing it had ordered three additional episodes of the series, bringing the order to 16 episodes; the order was extended to 20 episodes on January 20, 2010, as part of a package of episode orders that followed the demise of the Jay Leno show.[3] Trauma will return on March 8, 2010.[4]
@Doug: Yep. http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/trauma-return-new-episodes-saved-canceled/
What is wrong with NBC , you put a show on the air that was great, only to cancel it. What the hell is wrong with the executives at NBC??? Can’t any of them make a decision without controversy??? First you cancel Trauma and the only thing you hear is Leno of Connon . Could care less of either of them. Keep programs on that the average person wants to see. None of us want to see another reality show or another entertainment show. Get your head out of your a–es or no one will be watching any of your… Read more »
I’m done with NBC. Everytime I get interested in a series that they advertise to death, they cancel it, but keep shows like bigget loser on. I don’t find watching people loose weight any more entertaining than watching paint dry. NBC has had some great shows they just don’t keep them on. BYE BYE NBC no wonder your rating are bad.
After learning this morning that Trauma was canceled I did a little research on the shows we have been totally frustrated with. They were almost completely NBC. The only defense is to avoid the network. It makes no sense but NBC is pushing viewers away.
Sad to see Trauma go and Mercy stay. Should have been the other way around. Can’t stand Mercy. Guess I won’t be watching NBC much.
At first I thought this show would be lame, but after watching the first couple of episodes was hooked. I am really upset that it will not be allowed to go on. I think the characters have untapped potential for development as well as the plot. It is sad. The actors and writers are a winning combination and I hope they all go on to more success. I’m still pissed about this.
Very disappointed in this wonderful show being canceled. I thought, at first, it wasn’t on because of the Holidays and specials being broadcasted. I thought the actors were superb and the stories were good ones. I would rather watch Trauma than Mercy any day. Mercy is just OK; Trauma was not one bit boring and kept you on the edge of the seat most of the time. I cannot believe NBC did such a stupid thing! They finally had a good show and really blew it. Mercy is usually quite boring. Please bring Trauma back!!!! You really screwed up when… Read more »
Trauma is a great show. We hesitate getting too involved with any new shows these days. We are tired of committing to a new show since they go to break after 4 to 5 episodes then get canceled before they return. This seems to be the norm now. We will continue to rely on movies until the networks get their act together.
Trauma was a great show…cant believe you canceled it…