Ratings: ‘The Good Wife’ season 4 hits low … but why?
“The Good Wife” season 4 has vastly improved following the great Kalinda disaster of fall 2012, but sadly, some of the viewers that may have been scared away during that time are still not back.
For whatever reason, Sunday night’s all-new episode, its first following a week off for the AFC Championship Game, drew only a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This is the lowest rating the show has ever received for a new episode, and the troubling thing is that it happened on a night where there was not extremely heavy competition. There was no new “Revenge” on ABC, and the Pro Bowl over on NBC (with its 3.3 rating) is hardly the monster of even a regular-season football game. Like “The Good Wife,” its odds of being canceled are probably increasing as time goes by.
So are Alicia Florrick’s days really numbered? This may be the perfect time for the fans to start really campaigning, as you do not want to wait to the last minute to fight to keep a show on CBS alive. They have been known to be rather cutthroat when it comes to ending drama series without warning, with one of the best examples of that being “CSI: Miami” just last year. The ratings will likely go up when “The Amazing Race” returns next month, but personally the way we see the script playing out for this show at the moment is that it could move to Fridays in order to replace the withering “CSI: NY,” and the network will try to give this timeslot (which is prime real estate to other networks, especially with football overruns) to something that can draw younger eyes.
Why do you think “The Good Wife” is struggling: is it just the result of being on the air for a few years, or do you think that some fans have not forgiven the show for the Kalinda-and-Nick story? If you want to check out some more new casting scoop on the show, you can do so over at the link here.
Photo: CBS
"Blackie"
February 22, 2013 @ 6:03 am
As an legal thriller fan and action fanatic, I follow NCIS and NCIS LA and the Good Wife- Great acting.
Was disappointed when the show started showing the bias of a Democratic Party theme favored by their writers, I told myself to live with it.
When Alicia said she didn’t believe in God, I took as as the writers of the show trying to sell me their beliefs. I am no longer watching the show.
I real shame.
Renee
February 21, 2013 @ 3:09 pm
I agree. I love the show, The Good Wife, but the inconsistent time frame means I miss most or all of the show and have to wait for the re-run, which frustrates me!!
Please find a day (Thursdays or Saturdays) when there is little competition with other highly viewed shows.
Nancy
February 21, 2013 @ 1:41 pm
It suffers from the same thing all the new shows seem to be suffering from, hit and miss time slots and days. It used to be that you could count on a new season starting at the beginning and running straight through to some logical end. Now all the shows are randomly on or off. I think that The Good Wife just may be coming to its logical end. I love Kalinda and hope that she continues her “take no prisoners” attitude. Alicia and her husband should get back together or get divorced and be done with it.
dave
February 21, 2013 @ 12:57 pm
i personally love the good wife! i have not missed an episode!………however sunday night on cbs is an awful time slot its always pre empted or runs late due to sports programming ……….. please pick a weeknite and have the programming time slot consistant ……….what i do is watch on cbs.com this way i am not inconvinced by the time slot issues ………but it i had to rely on taping or the dvr i probally would have missed numerious episodes ………..
Nanna
February 20, 2013 @ 7:59 pm
It’s competing with Downton Abbey. Put it on another night. Guarantee good results.
Allie
February 20, 2013 @ 1:42 pm
LOVE this show. But CBS has treated it VERY poorly. Its scheduel is so inconsistent and thus, very frustrating for the viewers. PLEASE move it to Thursdays. “The Good Wife” has the best actors & scripts on TV.
Myrna
February 20, 2013 @ 12:24 pm
Sunday night on CBS is the worst. The time that “The Good Wife” is shown is inconsistent; it varies according to the timing of whatever sports CBS has broadcast earlier that day. Too often, the show isn’t on at all- pre-empted by various specials and award shows. And new episodes seem to be few and far between- whether it will be a new show (tune in) or a rerun (don’t bother) is unpredictable.
I’m sure CBS is aware of this. But the networks like to play games with the schedule and will continue to do so; then they pretend to be disappointed when the ratings are down.
Anonymous
February 19, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
Change night for The Good Wife. Most people cannot tape shows with their current carriers for cable. Downton Abbey and Revenge are both at the same time . I vote for Thurs. Nothing good on Thurs.
Barbara Plumez
February 19, 2013 @ 3:40 pm
The Good Wife is one of the best written and acted shows on television. Though I am a bit older than the proper demographic for ratings, I am a regular fan, the problem is that it is so inconsistant in when it’s on and what time! CBS Football is disasterous for Sunday night shows, the time is always off, now we have golf, though at least CBS switches over to the Golf Channel for some matches. Please find a permanent spot for the show that is not affected by what comes before and I am sure all the fans will come back. The show is GREAT!!
what a shocker.;.. not
February 19, 2013 @ 12:35 pm
I can guarantee it is the inconsistency in the showtime that is costing the GOOD WIFE viewers. Many DVR/TIVO or TRY but cannot get the show within the timeframe as it’s ALWAYS off schedule. I record The Good Wife, The Mentalist, and HAVE to record the following local news in order to be able to see the first two shows as they always run over and cause recording conflicts making me miss other recordings. A couple times of this and you WILL LOSE VIEWERS. To watch on demand is a pain in the neck.
Helen
February 19, 2013 @ 12:12 pm
Love this show. I do want to know what happened to Nick (what did Calinda do to him?). However, I agree that Sunday nights are the worst – no consistency and not enough new episodes! Love Elspeth and I want to see more intrigue and courtroom one upsmanship – great writing and some great surprises but not enough of them. More episodes like “Je Ne Sais What?” would be great! Please please stay on the air. Sunday nights for TV are the kiss of death – more Good Wife to a better night!
J
January 29, 2013 @ 5:22 pm
benny f that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. You do realise she’s not real, right? Juliana is playing a character. Each to their own though.
Didn’t realise it was getting that bad JT. Yikes!
Vicki
January 28, 2013 @ 10:00 pm
new episodes are here and there and not consistent. We need intrigue weekly and there is nothing captivating to cling on to.
Alicia needs to be swooned by a new firm, not in the picture now, with an actor with flare. Her current bosses are getting boring but keep Kalinda and Carey, their hot. Alicia and her husband need to step their love life up……
Get it together writers…
I love this show.
JT
January 28, 2013 @ 9:29 pm
Absolutely!!!! … the irregular time slot following football games, etc. Additionally, only TWO new episodes in January and the new “winter season,” only ONE in February (17th) … Loss of momentum. Too bad!
benny f
January 28, 2013 @ 8:53 pm
when she said she was an atheist, I was shocked. I do love her, but will
probably quit watching this show. I am not a prude, but do believe in God.
thanks
J
January 28, 2013 @ 8:36 pm
I think it is the inconsistent time slot. Returning one week and being absent the next does not draw viewer faith.