'Do No Harm' a historic ratings bomb for NBC
Drama serves up the lowest rated in-season premiere ever for a big-four network
By Sona Charaipotra Feb 4, 2013 3:14PM
Expectations were hardly sky-high for NBC's new Jekyll and Hyde drama "Do No Harm," but the new series, which premiered Thursday at 10 p.m., bombed big time, bringing in, according to Deadline.com, only a 0.9 share and a mere 3.13 million viewers -- the lowest rated in-season premiere ever by any scripted show on the big four networks.
Bing: More on "Do No Harm" | Steven Pasquale
The low turn-out likely means a quick death for the series, which stars Steven Pasquale -- late of "Rescue Me" -- as Dr. Jason Cole, a neurosurgeon whose life faces upheaval when an alternate personality, Ian Price, takes over his body every night. Phylicia Rashad co-stars as medical director Vanessa Young.
In the tough TV climate these days, networks shows have at best two weeks to prove themselves, and if "Do No Harm" fails to raise its numbers next week, it will likely be the latest mid-seasoner to get the axe -- although NBC has yet to pull the plug.
So what's to blame? The pre-launch marketing no doubt played a factor, as did a soft lead in with "The Office" at 1.9. The show also suffered some stiff competition from ABC's "Scandal" and CBS's "Elementary."
Of course, then there's the Jekyll and Hyde premise -- a tried-but-frequently-failed idea when it comes to TV, with NBC's 2008 Christian Slater-starrer "My Own Worst Enemy," which also died a quick death, despite more promotion and star power involved.
"Do No Harm" airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC -- at least for now.
42Comments
Feb 9, 2013 4:18AM
I agree with you, pswndsng, that there are many shows that aren't worth a response and it seems that those are the ones that stay on the air....I just don't get it. Steven Pasquale is very talented with a wide range and the "ones who make the decisions", should give the show a fighting chance.
Feb 9, 2013 1:39AM
Feb 5, 2013 9:31PM
I really liked the show. Even my husband which dislikes most the shows on TV nowadays thought it was worth watching. I liked the premise of the show even though it is not believable (how many shows are believable on today's TV anyway?). Reality TV is of no interest to me so I typically watch shows that hold my attention & this one did. It probably doesn't hurt I think Steven Pasquale is not too bad to look at either. I liked his character on Rescue Me as well so I think he is a decent actor. Even though I don't watch any of the shows on the other networks in this time slot, this show will probably have to be moved to different time/day to have a chance. I personally hope it sticks around for a while.
Feb 5, 2013 9:00PM
Feb 5, 2013 7:49PM
Feb 5, 2013 4:53PM
They lost me in the trailers for the show when a white man kissed a black woman....so tired of the networks trying to "promote" gays, blacks dating whites, etc...notice how many Middle Easterners on shows these days as well....and now they're bringing back "Ironside" with Blair Underwood???
I believe Ironsides was white...why the hell change it?....Sherlock Holmes and Watson was two men...now a woman and a man?...are you going to bring back Superman but make him a woman...or black?....how about James Bond?....male him a Mexican? Get real...if you don't have the smarts to make a new show, bring back an old one but at least be smart enough not to tinker too much!!!
For the record, I like Blair Underwood....but he is NOT Ironsides....if you don't want Ironsides in a wheelchair, then fine....but stick to the original story...
Feb 5, 2013 3:15PM
Feb 5, 2013 11:25AM
Feb 5, 2013 8:25AM
Feb 5, 2013 3:54AM
Feb 4, 2013 10:41PM
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Feb 4, 2013 9:33PM
Feb 4, 2013 9:07PM
Feb 4, 2013 8:49PM
Feb 4, 2013 8:32PM
Feb 4, 2013 7:48PM
Feb 4, 2013 7:18PM
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