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?
why in the hell are you dumb dumbs at cbs cancelling vegas…. it has the best storyline and cast…..put vegas back on….i guess me and my wife will watch another network…..
Oh no, please don’t cancel VEGAS. Our family members (I represent 5 people saying this) all think VEGAS is an intelligent show and really needs to be given a continued chance. It recreates a fascinating period of history in a city that many people can only associate with the present moment, and the show has great chemistry within the Lamb family characters. Vincent Savino is unmissable as the perfect baddie who’s not really so bad after all; the character we’re secretly rooting for to get his act clean for his family’s sake. Those occasional glimmers of friendly cooperation between Dennis… Read more »
Sad that CBS is going to cancel (Vegas) loved that show it is so much better then those reality shows. Please keep Vegas on CBS, actors were awesome love Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis and the other cast. Great show.
PLEASE BRING BACK VEGAS….LOVE..LOVE…LOVE…THAT SHOW….
Please renew Vegas, I think the season started slow, but has me hooked now…
Golden Boy is boring. VEGAS is a great show with great writers and cast. CBS is missing out by polling the 18-49 age group. D?o they think that us boomers don’t watch TV? We can relate to VEGAS! DON’T CANCEL VEGAS!!!
CBS is full of **** they are not in touch with what the people like but I have to say a good series like Vegas should not be removed.There is a number of shows like Two Broke Girls, not really funny and I’m turned off by the unnecessary language used about ****** and other sex talk, and then hear someone in another room having sex . And then Terms Of Engagement is a cheap shot and is stupid not funny.This show has 2 guys that show no respect at all to women . Then you idiots call yourselves a top… Read more »
VEGAS is a great show. We love it. Great actors, the show is wonderful! Golden Boy – ZERO. VEGAS – 10 out of 10! please do NOT cancel. Keep the good stories, conflicts coming. The show is very enjoyable. We watch NCIS, NCIS LA and then VEGAS. What a great way to spend Tuesday evening! CBS used to be our favorite station but that will have to change if you take VEGAS away!
CBS is crazy..another bad COP Show while they have a winner in VEGAS?
Vegas was interesting, fun to watch and easy to get excited about the conflicts.
Great Writers…..are the accounts running CBS again????
Please renew Vegas. It’s the only CBS show I watch on Tuesdays. Great story and actors.
ONE OF THE BEST. WILL NOT BE WATCHING GOLDEN BOY. IT CAN’T EVEN COMPARE TO VEGAS. ABC OR NBC HERE I COME.
I love Vegas. Great actors- Great story. How can you go wrong? I think some of the viewers didn,t give it a chance. Most of the demographic group that cbs is looking for are watching reality shows. They can,t even spell Vegas. I ofren winder why other stations don,t pick them up if they are cancelled. NBC could use some good shows or ABC. I hope Vegas stays.
Vegas is great! Renew it for another season.
What is wrong with CBS?? Golden Boy is one of worse shows I’ve seen. For this you replaced Vegas???? Vegas not only has terrific story lines but also established talent. Keep cancelling good shows & I’ll keep reading good books. I give up on TV. None of you know good programming. You only know cheap. Good luck.
Vegas is one of the best shows on television. Please renew it ! The acting is superb and the era is well portrayed.
Please renew Vegas. Great actors.