TV NEWS: ‘Do No Harm’ Cancelled After Two Weeks Due to Record Low Ratings

Some shocking (to me, at least) news this week in the world of TV.  Do No Harm has been cancelled by NBC after just two episodes.  I guess if I had been paying more attention I may have seen it coming.  The premiere, which aired on January 31st, had reportedly been the lowest rated series premiere in the history of the major networks.  Episode 2 did even worse.

With some busy time at work cutting into my schedule, I had to hold off on the premieres of Do No Harm and The Americans.  I wasn’t sure if I would like Do No Harm, so I decided to watch it first figuring I could always turn it off if it was a dud.  What happened was, I actually enjoyed it.  It had an interesting mix of medical drama and personal drama.  Though I must admit that I was unsure of how they could keep the Jekyll/Hyde aspect going for an extended period of time.  Felt more like a miniseries or one season type story.

I now sit here with one episode (the final episode apparently) on my DVR, and I have no idea if I will even watch it.  I mean, what’s the point?  NBC will either axe the rest, air them online, or put the “entire series” on DVD.  It always amazes me that a network that has new content in the can and ready to air will opt for reruns of other programs.  I know that there is a reason why they do it, but you would think new content would always win out.  But, I guess that’s why I don’t work for any of the networks.

I have been burned by these new shows in the past.  Drive, a FOX drama starring Nathan Fillion (of Firefly and Castle fame), aired just 4 episodes before pulling the plug.  They left 2 ready to go episodes on the shelf, and went with reruns of House instead.  The final 2 episodes never aired.

The Cape, which aired on NBC, aired 9 of the 10 episodes of it’s first and only season.  666 Park Avenue, a supernatural themed drama on CBS, has aired 9 of the 13 first season episodes.  They have been cancelled, but CBS is saying the final 4 episodes will air.  Supposedly, there was enough time to give the series some kind of a finite ending.

Anytime a new TV show is advertised, I am reminded of the above shows, and how I have been swindled into watching these programs, only to have them ripped away from me.  So as I sit here writing this, I have the first 2 episodes of The Americans on my DVR.  And I can’t help but wonder if I should even watch them.

Has networks’ increasing willingness to just drop a show at a moment’s notice changed how you choose TV programs to watch?  Do you wait until the show has become established (a certain number of episodes, a full season, a renewal for a second season), or do you just jump in and hope for the best?  Leave us a comment and let us know!