As you may have heard, Undercovers has been cancelled by NBC due to low ratings. The original 13 episode order will be produced but, as of now, only 10 installments have been scheduled.
Why didn’t Undercovers catch on? Deadline quotes someone associated with the show that has some ideas.
Mostly, what was meant to be a throwback lark of a show felt trivial to people. It felt flimsy and not compelling, partially because it was designed as a stand alone, non serialized show.
Perhaps the stories lacked deeper interest and urgency. We tried to embrace a familiarity of form, but the public obviously didn’t want something so familiar.
Unfortunately we never got an audience from the get-go; our abysmal recent rating wasn’t even one point lower than our premiere number. We just should have done better. It is a bummer to be sure.
NBC did the best they know how. We feel responsible for the failure, though. But damn, it sure would be easier to blame the network!
What do you think? Do you agree with this assessment? What did Undercovers do right?
Image courtesy NBC.
I LOVE THE SHOW. I’M VERY SAD
I love the show, I watched it from the beginning. Really disappointed that the cancellation will happen. Come on guys give this one a break. Great chemistry, very colorful, hopeful: black couple on primetime, and not the stereotypical crap. Geeze who did the ratings on these shows. Let the show run. Too many people are watching. Anyway this was evitable, afterall “My Wife and Kids” was cancelled from primetime. Diversity! Funny!
I agree with others, this show was much like an updated version of Hart To Hart. I also enjoyed the program. So many quality programs have been canceled and replaced with reality programming, Dancing with Stars, The Next Top Model, and the like. According to the network executives they are investing in what appeals to the majority of the viewing public. Since the viewing public enjoys reality programming, shows of substance, or what is decently entertaining, does not make profits! The network’s highly paid psychological profiling reveals that much of the viewing audience prefers base entertainment.
i loved the show – rare to see any happy married couples on screen – let alone happily married couples, so in love and working together – shame the show failed – i hope all the actors and actresses go on to do good shows
I really like the show. Why they keep saying they didn’t get viewers I don’t know … a lot of people liked it 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Not only were the stars beautiful to look at, we haven’t seen a husband and wife this much in love since Jennifer and Jonathan Hart. The exotic places around the world were another treat.
Loved the show,really gonna miss it. Maybe if they would have promoted it differently, like during sports broadcasts. Just a thought.
This show was so full of McGuffins that I turned it off midway through an early episode when she just “happened” to pan up the still camera (really, a digital SLR camera with the view on the LCD as a survailence device??) and “finds” the sniper about to pull the trigger… really?? Couldn’t she at least have been scanning the rooftops??
Loved the show – so sad that it has been cancelled
I too liked the show. The lead characters were good and had the chemistry needed for their roles. Also, you can’t go wrong with Gerald McRaney in the supporting role. I really don’t know why people didn’t watch it, even if on a time-shift. Now that it’s been cancelled, I thank God it wasn’t a “serialized” show. Although now we’ll never get to find out what Carlton Shaw’s secret agenda was for reactivating the Blooms.
I’m clearly in the minority here – but I liked the show a lot. Boris and Gugu made it very clear in interviews that this was very much in the same vein as Hart to Hart (Stpehanie Powers, Robert Wagner) – and he was very right. That made it a show I could relax and watch – heck, my teen even got into it (and that’s rare for her at all these days). That it wasn’t CRIMINAL MINDS or SVU or some other “edge of my seat-body count” series hardly made it “bad” – I really wish the network could… Read more »
For GW Jr. Facial expressions are very necessary for expression of emotions. Occassionally look at “Lie To Me”, which is a fictional show, but watch it and you will get an understanding of how important facial expressions are for a SPY. The art of deception requires control of facial expression, but it also requires variations. Gugu’s face seems to be frozen as it would be if she was a run way model. Eye brows slightly raised, with mouth partially open is the expression that she wears for most of the show. Just because she has a pretty face does not… Read more »
First of all the REAL reason the show failed. THE WRITERS SEEM LIKR THEY DIDN’T EVEN TRY. I could have written a better show. I think nbc just wanted publicity. and thats what they got.
I tried to get into the show but it was boring. I dont think it needed an on going back story but it was just to cheesey for me. Im a huge fan of Chuck and even that gets on my nerves at times. Sad to see it go but it wasnt working.
I don’t think the two principal actors were very likable. I agree with the stereo typical African American “look”. They need switch it up. The female was very real looking..more like a model than a spy and again not likable.
I am sorry that a show with African American principal actors did not make it. I think the studios need expand their idea of what appeals to African American and get actors with a more real down to earth appeal.
We loved the show. It had excitement and humor. It was light hearted but also was a thriller.
The American public prefers realty shows like American Idol and Dancing with The Stars.