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.
They’re shooting Trauma right now in my neighborhood (north beach, sf). I thought the show was cancelled too. Maybe they’re shooting a couple more episodes to close out the series/season for DVD/Syndication. I saw the actor that plays Rabbit in my corner deli the other week, I was wondering what he was still doing in SF.
Please keep this show. As a former trauma nurse, it was SO refreshing to see and enjoy a show of this quality. The professional/personal interactions were realistic, interesting to watch the relationships develop. The “real life” intensity of the trauma situations was almost palpable and very enjoyable. BRING BACK TRAUMA.
Please keep this show on air. This is a medical drama that appeals to both me and my husband. The show is fast paced enough to appeal to men and there is enough underlying passion and drama to keep women happily watching through the intense rescue scenes. We are both glued to the screen with each new episode – no talking – and we have DVR! We rarely pause and rewind because we have not missed anything – very few shows command our attention as much as Trauma — We both love Rabbit (for different reasons of course)
Wow NBC you just lost one of your only loyal fans left. Trauma was by far my favorite show on television. Good storyline, excellent acting, and a show that was relateable. I think its time you guys did a little reshuffling up there in the corporate office and realize that reality shows are on there way out and people want to actual television shows now.
PLEASE re-start Trauma. It was the best show on TV this winter!!
NBC don’t be so stupid. I mean we have the whole Leno/Tonight show thing. This would be your chance to redeem yourselves. Put the shows on that your public wants. Don’t listen anymore to those gray haired doofs in the corp. office ANYMORE!!!!
PS> Thanks for bringing Leno back to the Tonight Show. We love him too.
Hey NBC. . . have mercy on us, dump Mercy and give us more Trauma.
Or give Trauma to CBS like you did JAG.
And look what happened to THAT show.
As a former EMT I couldn’t agree more with RN BSN TNS CFRN. I’m so sick of all the crap on tv. Trauma had talent with people that actually act. What a concept! We have too many “reality” shows filled with moral decay that are not “reality” for anyone I know. My wife and I love Heros, but Trauma was the one show I could really relate with and truly enjoy. BRING IT BACK!!!!
As a former paramedic and retired flight nurse – I loved this show. I am so disappointed that a show with intelligent characters was cancelled. I am so sick of reality shows I could throw up. Sure it was expensive to shoot, but it was a good show.
Well, I was sitting here at home wondering why Trauma wasn’t on and I was very upset with the fact that yet again NBC you cancel another good tv show. I was such a huge fan of The Black Donnellys another show you had and you cancelled that.. I find it is so funny that you would put your money into some of these reality show’s and not into good tv drama anymore… It is a said thing that you would cancel such a great show! Keep it up, becuase in the end people are going to stop watching show’s… Read more »
I agree with all of you, I thought the show was excellent and I think there are alot of shows that should go before Trauma.
I definitely would pick Trauma over Heroes (same time slot) any day.
I am so upset with the cancellations of all these good shows… They are realing blowing TV for me that’s for sure..It to me was one of the best shows out there..
I loved the show and have missed it since it hasn’t been on! The good “expensive” shows always get the boot! Loved the Unit too and they got the boot!
I agree Lin, it was a great show, my hubby and i were so excited to sit and watch it monday nights, something finally that peeked our interests, unlike all the re-runs on tv. I also can never figure out why all those pointless shows ever stay, and the ones we seem to really enjoy get cancelled! Too bad!
I agree, all the good shows are cancelled and all the reality shows are still on. We have enough reality in real life, why would we want to watch it on TV.
Trauma was a great show. Great characters, great plots. I can never figure out why the shows I like get cancelled and others I don’t like stay. i.e. Heroes, Fringe, Castle, etc…