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 can’t believe that they’d cancel Trauma and keep some of the other shows going like The Office and 30 Rock, not to mention the numerous “reality” TV shows. Trauma is amazing and shows all the hard work of paramedics, etc..
In my opinion, this has been the best show of the season.
If it is canceled, there will be one less reason to tune to NBC.
I agree with all the other comments. This is a great show and I look forward to watching it every Mon. Like many others I googled to see what has happened to the show since it wasn’t on this week. Please don’t cancell this show.
DO NOT CANCEL TRAUMA. As an Emergency room nurse, They show it like it is… We have stress on the job yet bond together for emergencies and understand each other. Monday is the one day a week my family and I sit down and watch a tv show together and we even record it to see again and again.
My wife and I love this show…we have watched every episode since airing…we were disappointed to hear that it was going to be cancelled…love the characters and there story lines..PLEASE LEAVE IT ON
I think Trauma is great! For me it ranks up there with E.R. It’s entertaining and something to look forward to on a boring Monday night.
PLEASE DON’T CANCEL THE SHOW!!
It’s always the well written shows with deep character development that get the can and trashy reality tv and crap that thrive in this fast food AMERICAN culture.
KEEP TRAUMA GOING!!! IT ROCKS!!
This is one of the only shows that I even turn on the cess pool called televison for!
Trauma needs to continue…..Although I do admit some of the things are very far-feched when it comes to procedures and pt care…. but its a good show. People very rarely thank us for doing the job that we do, and I kind of look at this show as a thank you for every EMT and Paramedic out there….KEEP TRAUMA GOING!!!!
I hope Trauma makes it another season. The character development has taken hold and there are people and their stories behind all the sirens and smoke. Please share any other Trauma support sites.
Please, Please, Please do NOT cancel Trauma!!! My husband and I love that show and we have watched all of the episodes since it aired. I looked for it tonite at its regular timeslot of 9:00 pm and I didnt see it there so I went online and saw that it was going to be canceled. Needless to say, I was very disappointed! The cast has a great on screen chemistry, the story lines are great, and the show has really good special effects. Please give the show a chance. Maybe put it in a different timeslot or something. There… Read more »
The series Trauma established unexpected suspense for my girlfriend and I, due to real life situations. We are very big fans of Trauma and we are very dissappointed of the cancellation of the series. Trauma opened up our hearts to help others even more than we have ever done so. The show was a great mixture of comedy, drama, suspense, and you could see the actors best qualities. I live in Dallas, Texas and I would love to move my family to San Francisco one day. If anyone needs any assistance with helping the show or coordinating a Rescue plan… Read more »
Please keep the show going if possible, I really enjoy it.
I love Trauma. The show’s problem is it needs to be moved to Tuesday night when nothing big is on. Monday night is a very big night and there is a lot of competition. This
show has so much potential. I can’t wait for Monday night to see what is going to happen.
Please help keep this show!!!!!
This is the only show we have kept up with as far as new fall shows on any network. I do hope it stays on.
I hope that this show will not be cancelled, it’s the best. It never fails, a good show is on TV and all of a sudden it’s gone with no explanation. Maybe if so many reality shows weren’t on, good shows wouldn’t have to bite the dust. This is the first time I’m replying to comments about shows and I guess I’m so tired of GOOD shows being taken off I figured I would reply.