Ratings Bubble Report: Does ‘The Mysteries of Laura’ season 2 have a chance at renewal?
When “The Mysteries of Laura” first premiered on NBC, we had no idea how it was going to fare or how big of a draw Debra Messing would be to viewers in the role of a crime-solver. Now, it remains one of the most interesting shows to study when it comes to ratings. Can a low-rated show still get a renewal just on the basis of consistency, and how much do older viewers matter? While we wouldn’t say that this show is the new “Harry’s Law,” there are some things that it has in common with it when you look across the landscape.
Below, take a look both for and against renewing the series in our latest chapter of our Ratings Bubble Report series.
The good news – As we said, this show has had fantastic consistency. So far season 2 is down only 7.5% in the 18-49 demographic, which is really great in comparison to many other network shows. This number is probably even less when you take the first three episodes of season 1 out of the equation, given that they drew a 2.0 and then two 1.5 ratings. It has been reasonably steady ever since. Messing is a big star and we also assume NBC loves having her still as a part of the family, and if there’s one other thing we can say in the show’s favor, it is that creatively it has found its way more this season by focusing more on the Laura character’s career.
The bad news – The numbers still aren’t great even with the small decrease. Out of the shows that are airing on NBC right now that have not been canceled already, “The Biggest Loser” and “Grimm” are the only two it really has an edge on. The latter gets a boost because of it being on Fridays, and the former is probably relatively cheap compared to other competition. “Laura” may be expendable just on the virtue that there are other shows that are more successful, and executives seem desperate to turn it into Chicago all the time, anyway.
Our verdict – A toss-up. It’s a little bit of a wishy-washy answer, but it’s really true when it comes to “The Mysteries of Laura.” There aren’t many reasons to think that NBC would shy away from renewing it, since it performs okay and clearly has a diehard base; however, there’s not a compelling argument to keep it if you’re talking about overall numbers. This could be the case of a network having to wait and see how some other shows are faring come May before making a decision.
Do you think that “The Mysteries of Laura” should be renewed?
shellyscorner
March 26, 2016 @ 3:55 am
I LOVE this show! I’m not a big tv fan, because there’s a LOT to not like about it! The show may not have the greatest ratings of all time, but it doesn’t have to! As long as they’re consistent! That’s more than can be said for most shows on tv. It’s well written, entertaining, not overly violent, little foul language (and what there is, doesn’t bother me), it’s not got sex in every other scene, it’s funny, I can actually relate to MOST of the characters in some form or fashion, and did I mention it’s entertaining? It’s one of the best shows I’ve seen in YEARS! WELL DONE NBC AND CAST!!! NO!!! It should NOT be cancelled! I go WAY out of my way to watch the show, when I RARELY watch anything else on tv.
Anita
February 26, 2016 @ 4:33 am
Debra Messing brings 110%, always. I love her in “Mysteries Of Laura”. Josh is perfect as her ex and co-worker. The rest of the precinct co-workers fit too. Please keep this show. It is the best show on NBC!
Jade Reynolds
January 26, 2016 @ 4:40 pm
It has really found its footing this season. It strikes just the right balance of quirky / comedy / suspense. The entire cast is perfection and have a great chemistry together as an ensemble!
Ella
January 24, 2016 @ 7:16 pm
Love this show watch it every week. I am in the process of watching a show on Netflix from start to finish and mysteries of Laura is the only show that I shut netflix of for. I love other shows like Mom and Quantico but they are all still on dvr and have not been watched in 5 weeks because all my spare time is spent watching 8 seasons of Netflix but like I said Mysteries of Laura is a can’t miss for me . Renew it oh and 100% team Jake.
Adrianna Estrella
January 24, 2016 @ 4:31 pm
I love this show. Truthfully I would probably just stop watching NBC if it was not renewed. The actors in this show work 24/7 to give the best show. I am in love with this. I live tweet this show every Wednesday. This is the type of show I could sit at home and just watch every episode even though I already seen all of them. The Mysteries of Laura is an amazing show. The fact they are a divorced couple with two children and still make things work. Still love and protect each other. This happens everyday in real life. I love it. It is not just some regular crime show. I rate this a beyond 10. I am beyond proud of all the people that are in show. They deserve so much credit. This show must be renewed.
Michael Goldman
January 23, 2016 @ 3:36 am
The ratings are horrendous. It’s doing a 1.11 after 11 episodes, with 5 episodes remaining. if the show wasn’t renewed last year EVERY NEW SHOW ON NBC in 2014-15 WOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED, and NBC would have been HUMILIATED The show shouldn’t be renewed. However, NBC has a love affair going with Debra Messing, which precludes them from making the intelligent decision to dump the show. If they bring it back, I get the chance to rip NBC over their lack of intelligence FOR ANOTHER YEAR. The HEAD THAT’S SUPPOSED TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A BRAIN IN IT, but NBC doesn’t understand that. I wonder why?
Mamdani
January 22, 2016 @ 10:36 pm
I like this show. They were all over the map last year, and I am a bit disappointed they turned it into just another cop show, but the angle of the two kids and the home stuff was not working. Smart move to have wayyyy less of those kids. I still like the cast and enjoy watching it.