Ratings Debate: Is a ‘Person of Interest’ season 5 renewal likely?
There are times when we have a hot-and-cold opinion on “Person of Interest.” Some episodes we find to almost be too grim and depressing for our taste; however, when this show is firing on all cylinders, it feels to us like one of the greatest shows on CBS. It can be fiercely intense, and Michael Emerson in particular is consistently fantastic. Also, this is the rare network show unafraid to make big moves a la killing off Agent Carter (Taraji P. Henson) a few seasons in.
So are Reese and Finch going to continue to have an opportunity to work alongside the Machine? Like many CBS series, this is one facing a somewhat-uncertain future. With that being said, we do still feel like it is a hopeful one for a few reasons.
The case to keep it – This is a show that is at least competitive with “Chicago Fire” in the 10:00 p.m. Eastern timeslot. Granted, it tends to routinely lose when “Chicago Fire” has the lead-in from “The Voice,” but it has distanced itself from CBS’ forever. Also, it is one of most successful 10:00 series that CBS has going for itself right now. Other than maybe “NCIS: Los Angeles,” the network can’t really count on anything higher than a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic from a show airing this late at night.
While the ratings for “Person of Interest” aren’t fantastic, let’s put it this way: CBS has way bigger fish to fry at the moment.
The case to cancel it – You do still have to consider a few other factors here. Given that many New York-set series are expensive, this one also could be. It is also a Warner Bros. series vs. a CBS-produced series, and sometimes networks tend to favor in-house shows when making tough decisions. This show also has had the benefit of a good lead-in for the past several years, so they may look at all of this and decide that they simply want to move in another direction.
Our verdict – We can envision scenarios where the show gets canceled, but we feel like it is unlikely. What is slightly more possible to us is the network cancels at least one or two of their Friday shows and tries moving something like this show or “Elementary” over there, opening up a different weekday slot for a new series. For now, “Person of Interest” is popular and successful enough to stay put.
What do you want to see happen to “Person of Interest”? Vote in the attached poll, and click here to see some other chapters in our Ratings Debate series. Also, sign up to get some other TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)
ken
May 5, 2015 @ 1:46 pm
Network television is a business, but one of the big problems with many network shows is that they get the axe before being able to finish telling their story properly. With something like CSI, that’s less of a problem as it is a procedural crime drama of the week with only a smattering of ongoing storylines.
But, with something like Person of Interest, there is an overarching story arc, typified by machine vs. machine most recently, that deserves a conclusion. I like what Lost did. Love or hate or feel medicore about the finale, that show had a beginning AND an end. I think more shows should take a page from the Lost playbook. And, more networks, should recongize the difference between shows that need a finale and others that don’t. I know it’s all business, but when you cancel a show that deserves a conclusion before it’s time, how about renewing for at least one wrap up movie.
In any case, my mini rant over.
My fingers are crossed as Person of Interest remains one of my favorite shows on tv right now.
WhatTheFK
April 22, 2015 @ 2:16 pm
I think as a network show, especially from CBS, it has taken some diverse creative directions that you see on cable network shows (AMC, HBO, Showtime). Procedural episodes are standard CBS fare, while the longer reaching story arcs are closer, but not compelling enough, to short season cable programming. The only problem is that fans don’t know what they are going to get week by week, which I think affects viewership. I think the show is good for another full season, and a following half season to wrap up the show. You can see the producers response to the lower ratings in the 2015 winter-spring episodes, by taking a break from the second Machine story, bringing back Carter for an episode, giving John a romantic interest.
NC76
April 17, 2015 @ 7:28 pm
I have lost interest since they started the second machine storyline. The absence of Shaw has also damaged the show…I think it will be gone if not next season, the season after that
Barry
May 1, 2015 @ 8:52 pm
This was a diffiicult season, indeed.
The show could have end last year, its best year, after having concluded his major storylines, and on this superb closing sequence.
But here we are, after what I basically see as a transitionnal year, less inspired – not convinced by how they managed the second machine either- , and almost in stand by mode, narratively speaking, if we exclude the winter finale.
I think that the show also suffered a little from Jonah Nolan’s investment in its upcoming HBO drama.
So I really hope to see at least another season, to really conclude things.
And if CBS could give them more freedom to lthe writers, just to leave the procedural aspect of the show aside during this final run, it would be great.
Like FOX did for Fringe a few years ago.
It was their best year after… the third one.