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?
Please do not cancel Vegas. Great show, great acting and good to remember Vegas
like it use to be.
Look at all these favorable reviews. Everybody loves Vegas. I think it would be a big mistake by CBS to cancel it. Not since ‘The Sopranos’ have I watched and enjoyed a show every week. It is very intense, which I love. I think If CBS cancels it, NBC or ABC will pick it up and make it a huge success. I think the switch to Friday night will solve everything. Give it one more season, and you will reap all the awards and accolades. Thank You and God Bless.
Please, pretty please DONOT cancel Vegas. There is so little on TV that us older folks
like and this is one of them. It brings back an era that put Vegas on the map and has
a great story line. Yes do not like Golden Boy either……
Thanks!
Keep this program, it’s great!! We older people buy products too !!!!!!
Love VEGAS please don’t cancel it. Try it next season
Vegas should be renewed! It is one of the best new shows that any network has had in a long time. What I really love about it is that it is a show untainted by the “political correctness” indocrination of so many other shows of today. In the 1960’s, political correctness didn’t even exist. We can focus on the storylines and plotlines without having to be thinking, “Oh not – what are they about to ram down my throat now?” This show reminds me of shows of years gone by. In addition, the actors all seem to meld together very… Read more »
Please don’t cancel Vegas. Give it more of a chance.
Keep Vegas its the best
My brother and I both like Vegas. A great show good actors,old cars etc.we have been waiting for its return. There is to much competition on Tuesday night ,try Monday nights. We hope you do not cancel the show. Thank you .
Keep vegas on, move it to Monday. You have three great shows on Tuesday nights but move Vegas to Monday and you do not have three great shows back to back. It is hard for a family to give up three hours on one night.
I’m beginning to believe that if I like a show, it is the kiss of death. I love Vegas and
hate The Mentalist. Guess which one will probably be gone.
Janice B. expresses my feelings on why I like Vegas.
Please do not cancel Vegas. I just loved the characters and the story of old time Vegas. So many shows have the same story line this one is different. The mix of good and bad is fascinating. The story line is always interesting. Great acting, period clothing, great sets.
Vegas is one of my favorite shows.I don’t like much on tv anymore but this one is great.It will be a shame if it doesn’t get back on.Please renew this show.Everyone I talk to loves it.Really an original and thats something new and refreshing!
Please continue Vegas! It is down to earth and yet full of surprises!
Please keep Vegas on television, it is one of my Mom’s and mine favorite shows. It is a very interesting show .. giving us a look at the beginning of Las Vegas. Thank you