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 interesting show, we don’t miss it.
Good luck luck CBS, if Vegas goes we only watch the news, maybe………..
The more I watch TV, the more I like my radio……..
One of the best shows ever on CBS had a very poor start too. How many people remember M*A*S*H ? Leave the show where it’s at, just advertise and promote it.
Vegas is one good show.. Where else can you get a glimpse of past times, that gives an insight of how the west was won, tough times for some, workings of the mob era, and what people did in the 60’s.. We need to put down our i phones, and see where we came from.
VEGAS is one of the best shows on….Leave it alone!
Please do not cancel. We have missed it since its been taken off the last several weeks. Don’t Cancel. Give it a chance.
Vegas is a good show. The only thing that I did not like was the funny way Quaid would set his face when he got upset. It seemed artificial and should be re-evaluated. The world seems to forget that people over 50 do not buy only medicine. They buy things for their children, their grandchildren and for themselves. They still think, breathe and enjoy life.
Vegas does not promote stupidity as do many other shows.
Keep the show it’s one of the best out there!
Why take off a good show? Apperently some one at CBS don’t know what they are doing. NCIS, NCIS L A and Vegas are all I watch . Drop letterman cause he’s an ass. Bring back Vegas .
We do not watch CBS as much since you took Vegas off. Do not like Golden Boy
I have stopped watching CBS until they bring back Vegas
CBS said they might move it to Fridays I keep looking hoping VEGAS will be back on how can they do this to us
Great show, it’s the only show we watch on CBS
Why would CBS cancel a great show about the early days of Vegas !….This is a great show, give it a chance. I feel asleep watching “GoldenBoy”……however, gave me a chance to see what else was on in that time slot. Forgot about “Body of Proof”. So until Vegas airs again, I’m watching Dana & crew…..(BTW, it’s a good show !)
Please dont cancel it ! its a great show > LOVE IT
GREAT SHOW PLEASE DONT CANCEL !!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!