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?
Love Vegas – please keep it!
Vegas is a great show and with A grade actors, which makes the storylines even better. Networks often seem blinded by the 18-49 crapola viewers, who themselves don’t know good, quality television is. Vegas is similiar to Crime Story in many ways with a different edge, but nevertheless superb, and also based on true life charactors. You know if I have to suffer with shows like the Khardasian’s, the bacholay, Jersey Shore than I may as well throw my T.V. away, and FYI…The Series ‘Unforgettable” was awesome, but in keeping with crap T.V. shows only it was cancelled. Cancell “Vegas”… Read more »
When is this episode 18 of tv show “Vegas” going to be shown? The local tv schedule for CBS on this Bright House cable did not show it on Friday, because the coverage of what was happening in Boston. Then it said it was going to be on Saturday, April 20, at 8 pm. Then it did not show then, because of some sporting event. Then it said it would be on Sunday morning at 2:05 am. Once again, another show, “Extra” was on instead. How can CBS expect a high rating for a show if this keeps happening? How… Read more »
Great show, should be renewed.
I really hope that Vegas gets another Season. Dennis Quaid is a good actor!
please keep vegas, we are so tired of the reality shows~they just suck!!!!!!!
Good show, not given much of a chance, guess because it isn’t a “Reality” show.
Do not cancel.. We love the show
I cannot believe that Vegas is being cancelled it is one of the best programs on TV. Cancel some of those stupid reality shows and give Vegas a chance, half the time the program is pre empted and then they switched to Fridays which it has only been on a couple of times. AGAIN, GIVE IT A CHANCE FOR PETE’S SAKE.
Please don’t cancell Vegas, we love the show.
Keep Vegas! Some of us fondly remember the 60’s.
Please…..we love this show….baby boomers are an audience too!
vegas is entertaining and should remain on cbs schedule. better than watching reality shows, which are scripted.
Love Vegas! Don’t cancel it. Vegas is one of the reasons CBS is on top!
Love Vegas CBS needs to keep it at least its entertainment and not like all their phony reality shows vote to keep