In a truly strange twist, NBC has ordered three additional episodes of their Monday night medical series, Trauma. The show was confirmed as essentially cancelled late last month when the network opted not to order any additional installments. What happened?
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.
Earlier today, Hollywood blogger Nikki Finke reported that NBC was considering ordering three additional installments and that news has now been confirmed.
What isn’t clear is the reason why. Finke and several other sources are claiming that the expensive show’s ratings have improved. One only needs to look at the numbers to see that’s not true.
Trauma debuted to lackluster ratings of a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo and 6.68 million total viewers. The second week, they dropped significantly to a 1.7 and 5.36 million. Trauma’s numbers have fluctuated a bit since then but haven’t broken past a 1.9 in the demo or 5.82 million viewers.
As far as a “recent ratings rise,” there hasn’t been one. This week’s episode attracted a 1.8 in the demo (just like last week) and the total viewers were down, from 5.35 million to 5.18 million. What’s more, Heroes beat Trauma in the demo by almost 20% and neither’s figures are impressive.
This decision to order a trio of additional episodes is likely more of an indication of NBC’s other ratings problems than new-found faith in Trauma. The execs may not feel like they have enough original programming to last them until the Winter Olympics or they might not be feeling very confident about their mid-season shows.
Whatever the reason, the Trauma’s ratings are still not good and need help. While three additional episodes are a nice little gift for fans, unless the show’s ratings start rising, it’s just delaying the inevitable.
What do you think? Why did NBC order three more episodes of Trauma? Do you think they’ve changed their minds about cancelling it or just delaying the inevitable?
Image courtesy NBC.
I was shocked when Trauma came back. I was expecting to see some remaining episodes that didn’t air on a dvd set in a few months but what’s this? NEW EPISODES? Everyone said this show was confirmed D.O.A! From the start this show was said to be horrible but accept for a few people who said the accident/EMT/etc scenes weren’t technically accurate enough – the people tuning in love the show. My only complaint with the tech side is the amount of ‘touching’ they do with their gloves on otherwise I love the show… and I don’t typically like the… Read more »
Please keep Trauma on for good. This is the best show on television right now. There are to many of those reality shows on right now. Writers need to be careful to not vary from the original story lines too far. A small change can really ruin a series. For example, Ghost Whisperer was my favorite show for several seasons then when Melinda’s husband mysteriously reappeared; as a doctor no less, it was so very unbelievable. There was something exciting about him being a paramedic and Melinda owning the little antique store; they were so normal but now it is… Read more »
They always cancel the good shows. They need to look at viewers on sites like Hulu…some of us watch all our shows on there because we can’t see it when it is originally on. This is an awesome show!
Was happy to see Trauma has returned and recorded it last night. I think that I, like a lot of people, prefer to record TV shows and view them at my leisure. It would be nice if Trauma got renewed or picked up by another network willing to give it more of a shot. It’s disappointing to see shows with lower ratings stay on the air on other networks while this one gets axed by NBC. With the multitude of cable channels out there now I would think Trauma could survive somewhere.
Please bring Trauma back for good………it’s the best show on TV !!!!
love the action and the characters , what a team !!
definately need to have it every week
keep it!!! best show by FAR!!! only show on NBC that I watch!!
Me n my mom lovevthis show so happy its coming back but I want more than 3 episodes
This is a really horrible show…I just watch it for Derek Luke. His character and his partner are the most interesting and most memorable. I don’t even know the others names or their stories and I’ve been watching faithfully since its inception. It’s kinda like a poor attempt for a Grey’s Anatomy for firefighters. The show is actually more like a Law & Order procedural. The “traumas” that cause them to come out and whatnot just come out of nowhere at random times. Definitely not a fan of this show but definitely a fan of Derek Luke’s so I’ll continue… Read more »
This is THE best show on Monday nights. My family is so excited that we have a few more to watch. NBC should keep it. Give it a chance and see where it goes. It’s action packed and fast moving. Not to mention the cast is fantastic. Do something smart NBC….KEEP IT!!!!
Thanks for the update on Trauma being on, I am watching it right now! YEH!! My life is finally right with Trauma back on. I totally love this show. Thank you so much for bring it back!!
I’m so happy the show is coming back tonight! My tivo is set!
Me too!! I was soooo excited to see Traum was on tonite; my DVR was still set to record the show!! It was excellent tonite!! I really hope enough people start watching to keep in on all the time; my husband and I love the show!! We love the characters, expecially Rabbit.
Trauma comes back tonight at 8 (central time)! If enough people start watching the remaining episodes, maybe they’ll continue it. Be sure to watch!!
The thing about this show is that the pilot was HORRIBLE in regards to the helicopters colliding. After that, the show got better and better, and I think that’s why the ratings were bad but are now slowly but surely getting better; because people decided to watch the rest of the season and are now actually liking it. That’s my 2 cents though, hopefully this show is brought back because I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I completely agree!!! My husband and I loved this show!!! I have several friends who watched as well. I am happy for 3 more shows but come on NBC get with it!!! Why sink your money in shows that are just ridiculous!!!!! Lets hope we can keep it going!!
PLEASE bring this show back or send it to another network so it can actually have a chance! NBC is so stupid for cancelling this show! but thanks for giving us three more weeks! can’t complain about that! my parents, my brother, and myself are all firefighters and we loved watching this show because we could relate! unlike heros..i mean really..who can relate to killing people with your mind!?! BRING BACK SHOWS WE LOVE!!