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?
I finally went back to CBS only because of Vegas. They are the lowest rated network in my opinion except for AlJaleezer. If they cancel Vegas I like most intellegent Americans will no longer watch CBS. Their news sucks, and is totally left slanted lies for our Idiot In Chief. No Vegas, no CBS!!!!
If CBS cancel’s Vegas that would be a major mistake, there are a lot of fans out there who would like to Boycott CBS and their sponsor’s if the show is cancelled.
Vegas has a great cast, good sets and it’s believable, not like that phony NCIS LA, I worked with NIS (Now NCIS) when I served in the Marine Corps and this LA group is a bunch of clowns and the story lines SUCK………
I think it and Elementary are the two best shows on TV – Keep it Coming !!
I and my family very much enjoyed the show Vegas, its replacement Golden Boy stinks in comparison. I do hope it is not cancelled, but having seen previous CBS decision making, I am not hopeful.
Keep Vegas on, never missed a show, one of the best
Vegas i great. Golden boy is boring. The move to Friday from Tuesday is stupid. Move it enough and what a surprise your viewership goes down. Dumb move.
We love the show and the cast. Even though it is a crime drama it is different from all the rest. For one, the fact that it is set in the 1960s os unique and moreso, they solve crimes the old fashion way, which keeps you thinking. You do not need high tech machinery to do the work for you. This show has excellent writing, it is definitely different from all the rest.
Please keep a good show on.
If CBS was looking for better ratings during this time slot they should have come up with a better program than Golden Boy. Back to watching the news at this time since Vegas is no longer on. I really enjoyed the series and miss it.
There are not a lot of smartly written and well acted programs on network TV these days. Tuesday nights with NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, and VEGAS is a notable exception. VEGAS is a great addition to the lineup and should be renewed for next season.
Vegas is an awesome show. I love watching shows from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. It brings back great memories. Please do not cancel this show, I love Vegas!!!!!
BRING IT BACK!!!! It was getting really good. Didn’t miss a show. Much better then Golden Boy.
I Love the Show sign them up another Season
I waited each week to see what was going to happen. I love Dennis and the rest of the cast. I do not like Golden Boy and will be watching another station or the taped NCIS from earlier in the evening
My husband and I love this show and aren’t happy it hasn’t been on. With all of the same old same old cop dramas, of which Golden Boy is one, Vegas is a breath of fresh air. We love the 60’s timeline, the actors are fabulous. Don’t cancel this show.
I thought it was a good show, much better than all these so called reality shows. I say keep it on.