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?
Vegas is a fantastic show – it should NOT be canceled. There is so much more story to tell. It’s fabulously done, from the writing to the acting, it’s all great. With two small kiddos in our house, my hubby and I don’t get to watch a lot of TV. Vegas is a show we make time for every week. IMO, networks are far too greedy. How is over 10 million viewers not enough? There is more going on in the people’s lives than ever before. And with way more viewing channels, types of shows, and viewing options, CBS should… Read more »
Really like Vegas. Hoping it will be renewed. Golden Boy is a good show and it’s moving to Friday. So I can watch both shows. PLEASE renew Vegas!
Really hoping they keep it on the air!!
I didn’t think I would like it, but I really do. I love the ambience of that era. I hope it survives.
vegas good show–renew please
Good show, I hope the dont cancel it.
My husband and I love the series Vegas. It has good actors and a great plot. We so looked forward to seeing it on Tuesday nights and do not care for the GOlden BOy. Please let it stay on. Mary and Jerry BEnett
I boycotted CBS before and I will again if they cancel this show. Vegas is a great show. I am sick of this crap these networks do to us when we love a show. So I am not the 10 million + 1 extra to keep a show.
I want my Vegas back!
every time a good show comes along they wan to cancel it. if CBS cancels this show, VEGAS i’ll start watching whatever network that picks it up. it looks like this network just does’nt care.
Maybe it’s time to try a crossover between this series and CSI vegas? Greg is quite the expert on 60’s vegas and could help bridge the gap in the storyline.
Keep Vegas on, put in more scenes with Dennis Quaid. Lighten up Kathryn’s roles and the Lamb brothers the show started off better with a tough sheriff Lamb. I looked forward to it every week!
Keep Vegas. It has some originality different from other shows and personally myself and several friends look forward to Tuesday night.
Its hard to be different and Vegas fills that bill.
Give it a chance CBS, you have a winner.
By the way, Golden Boy is not the answer.
I agree Don. We wait for this show every week and Golden Boy is terrible. Been two weeks now since Vegas,come on CBS give Vegas a chance!
This is the only show I go out of my way to watch each week. I hope they give it another chance
my favorite show, i hope they do not cancel.