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?
Certainly do not cancel Vegas. That would mean keeping the gruntable Golden Boy on the air!!!
A month of repeats and/or a different show; no wonder new shows on CBS can’t take hold. Now that Private Practice (series ended) and Parenthood are not competing, one would think they would have the new shows and do some promotion. It did not help that all 3 were on the same night so I used to DVR two and watch one. Other nights I watch nothing…go figure.
Please keep Vegas on. That is the only thing I watch on Tue night. I have it on to record it if I do not get home from work on time. I am so tired of all the now day cop shows. God how many of these do we need. Back in the 60’s cops did not have all this stuff to crack a case. They had to work harder to solve a murder case.
I am a native Nevadan who was growing up during the Vegas era. The show is right on. It has class and seemingly enough viewers to keep it on. Com on CBS!
i really look forward to watching this show, don’t take off the air
Hang on Vegas..great show, good story line very enjoyable hour of TV !
Remember “Mash” was on chopping block after 1st session, CBS it is time to repeat history, this is/should be a keeper!
My husband and I love Vegas ! The characters are great, and we especially enjoy Vincent the mobster you just gotta love, you know he’s bad, but he has a streak of decency that is very appealing. I am 68 and grew up in the 50s, visited vegas in 1957 as a kid, the show brings back many memories. The story line is good and Ralph and his brother are really good characters. Please don’t cancel our favorite show !!!
Keep the show!! There are only few shows without disgusting violence and blood, cadavers cut in pieces for the camera and outlandish and/or sickening story lines. It seems that any show that is not violent ends up cancelled lately. Keep Vegas on, please, CBS.
Renew! One of the most enjoyable shows on TV.
Vegas is Great!!! Do Not Cancel Denis Quaid and Michael Chiklis make the show
I,m 67 years old and grew up in that era.I went to Vegas many times in the day.My wife is a couple of years older then me,that child stealer,just a joke,anyway we both have been trying our best to find mistakes in the props they use on the show and we haven,t found one yet,it,s been right on.CBS is spoiled,if a new show does not get 50,000,000 people watching right away ,they want to cancel it.They don,t care what the ten and a half million fans want.Keep the show and add to it! Here is two things they can do.… Read more »
i want vegas to stay on that golden boy stinks
Hate golden Boy LOVE Vegas,,,Please keep it going !!!!!!!!
Best tv series in years. If CBS cancel this series they cancel me from cbs
DONT cancel “Vegas”!!!! Every time I start to enjoy and look forward to seeing a show, someone arbitrarily cancels it. Leave well enough alone…give it a chance.
I love this show.What happened to it? I tried to watch “Goldenboy”!! What a piece of crap!!Pasty-faced,130 pound little wimps are not believable as strong-arm law enforcers.I think that”Vegas'”portrayal of what a small police force faced when the Chicago Mob invaded the growing town is very believable.What a relief from all the ever growing redundant talent??? shows,and reality contest nonsense!!
With all the shows concentrating on violance and blood shed and crazy people torturing girls and burning folks alive, it is refreshing to see a show like Vegas. Yes there was a murder but with out all the blood and guts on most shows. PLEASE keep Vegas on . I look forward to it and love the 60’s setting. It has a great cast and is all around a great addition to CBS
Keep the show my husband loves this show and looks forward to watching it. He begged me to write a comment and let everyone know who needs to that its a great show and he wants it back on!!!!