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?
This is one of the few shows my husband and I watch every week. PLEASE, CBS, keep this show on the air.
I love vegas ! please keep it on ! The rating will get better
My husband and I look forward to ” Vegas” every week. Please don’t cancel it, CBS!
It’s one of our favorite programs.
Please don’t cancel Vegas. I love this show!
‘The Following’ is my favorite new show this season, but ‘Vegas’ is a close second, and I feel that Vegas has gotten better as the season has gone on. I really hope that CBS will not decide to cancel it.
Don’t cancel Vegas. One of the best shows on TV.
Stop it
Hi: oh my goodness, another CBS show to be cancelled. We looked forward to this show every week. I hope the rating will come up.
This is a great show! Renew it. Please!
I’m a big fan of this show, but it did take a couple weeks to grow on me. I feel like it was slow coming out of the gate, which explains the ratings decline in the first couple of weeks. Since then the show has gotten really good, and I look forward to the next episode each week. Anyone who has given up on the show should give it another shot. The last few episodes have been great. I hope CBS has the stones to recognize the show was a mid-season bloomer story wise and gives it more time to… Read more »
Please don’tr cancel “Vegas” Best show on the air.
Please keep Vegas on. It is one of my favorite shows.
I like most people I know,,,,LOVE VEGAS,and all the cast,great show, please don’t drop it !
by far the best show on TV, give it a chance CBS it will blossom!!
I hope you do not cancel “Vegas” is our favorite show. We have never missed an episode. CBS give us back our show