Going into the fall season, CBS’ Vegas series was one of the new TV shows with the most buzz. Many people were expecting it to be one of the hits of the season. Has it measured up? Should it be cancelled or renewed for a second season?
Airing on Tuesday nights, Vegas takes place in the Las Vegas of the 1960s and revolves around Sheriff Ralph Lamb (Dennis Quaid), a former rancher, and his clashes with Vincent Savino (Michael Chiklis), a Chicago mobster who moved west to set up his operation. Others in the cast include Carrie-Anne Moss, Taylor Handley, Sarah Jones, and Jason O’Mara.
The show debuted back on September 25th to a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 14.85 million total viewers. While the viewership was strong, CBS was likely expecting a much better demo number — especially considering the show’s high-profile talent, positive reviews, and the show having a strong lead-in like NCIS: Los Angeles.
In week two, the ratings dropped 20%, to a 2.0 rating with 12.11 million. In week four, they dropped another 20%, to a 1.6 rating with 10.8 million.
The numbers have remained fairly steady since then and the 15 episodes that have aired thus far have averaged a 1.7 demo rating with 10.9 million viewers.
While that demo might be enough for a show on NBC, it’s not likely good enough for CBS. Right now, Vegas is one of the network’s lowest-rated weekday series in the demographic which advertisers favor. Vegas has a lot of total viewers but so do many other CBS shows.
Last season, Unforgettable occupied the same timeslot and performed better than Vegas — averaging a 2.3 demo rating and 11.3 million viewers. It was cancelled.
The network ended up making a deal with Sony TV to bring Unforgettable back for a short season this summer and both sides likely made some financial concessions to make that happen. Word is that most of the supporting castmembers have been dropped. A deal like that is not likely to happen with Vegas.
Unless the ratings start to climb, it doesn’t look very likely that Vegas will be back for a second season.
On the positive side, the series will be back on March 19th and there are seven new episodes yet to come.
What do you think? Do you think CBS should cancel Vegas to make way for a new show? Or, should they renew Quaid and company for a second season? If you were running the network, would you change anything try to attract higher ratings?
My husband and I really love Vegas. We are part of the over 60 generation and will not watch wereworf, vampire and zombie junk. Please do not cancel this excellent show that brings back memories of time past with the clothes, cars and sets.
My husband and I love the show Vegas. Do not like the replacement golden boy. Please bring Vegas back.
Vegas is one of the best shows on tv. I look forward to Tuesday night just to watch this show . I hope it doesnt get cancelled.
Bring back Vegas, CSI NY both are real good shows
LEAVE VEGAS ALONE ,THERE IS SO LITTLE TO WATCH ON TV NOW MOST IS TRASH SO LEAVE VEGAS ON
You should keep Vegas
You should Keep Vegas for a lot of reasons. One being it is a very good show and very interesting.
wonder if there is a problem with the 10 oclock slot being later than people want to stay up because of work. i like the show but have to watch it on demand because i get up early for work. stick it on sunday nights at 9.
DONT CANCEL THE SHOW. It is good
CBS sucks with it’s “better than thou” attitude. Vegas is a good period series, which CBS must be afraid of. They don’t deserve to have the good series’ like Vegas. I hope it’s picked up by ABC or NBC.
I really like Vegas. It is one of the few good shows. Don’t cancel it!
What could you possibly be thinking?? No person from your stupid network bothered to actually ask viewers what they thought of Vegas! This show was interesting, void of useless killings (which possibly tend to entice the nuts who want to kill innocent people), excellent acting, NOT the stupid futuristic crap you seem to want people to watch and the characters were believable. Take the new show Red Widow, (not sure of name) the acting is so totally horrid, I am unable to watch — even Hawaii Five O has better actors and better story line and that is really pushing… Read more »
Please keep this excellent show on. This is the best new show of the season. I like the characters and the background of desert and period dress and cars. This show is so much better than the big city cop shows, such as Golden Boy.
This is such a good show. It has that top notch, period-piece feel like Mad Men, while also keeping with the police procedural that CBS is now known for. Now that Golden Boy is in its slot and it has been moved to Fridays, the viewership will dwindle even further, and CBS will probably cancel it. It’s a shame that dross like “2 Broke Girls” and “CSI: NY” are not canceled, instead.
Why is it not airing the new 7 episodes tonight it is the 19th? In Canada that is.
Would love a second season of Vegas. A very enjoyable look at the 1960’s issues.
Our entire family (which includes every age group from 16 to 85) LOVES Vegas!! The writing and acting are both excellent. It holds our attention for the entire hour. I think it is one of the very best shows on TV!! Not every TV watcher is a teeny-bopper who loves zombies…Vegas has a great plot and we NEVER miss an episode. ALSO, QUIT MOVING IT AROUND and taking it off to highlight some other new show. WE WANT VEGAS!!!