Gavin Howe
The American comedy-drama television series 'Common Law' was cancelled in 2012 after one season due to low ratings. The freshman drama, starring Michael Ealy and Warren Kole, revolved around a pair of LAPD detectives who successfully solve crimes together but can't stand each other. Despite the show's entertaining premise, it struggled to attract a large enough audience and was ultimately pulled off the air by the USA Network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of seasons | 1 |
| Number of episodes | 12 |
| Ratings | Poor |
| Average viewers | 2.1 million |
| Reason for cancellation | Low ratings |
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What You'll Learn
Poor ratings
The show's debut in May attracted 2.48 million viewers, but the numbers declined over the season, with an average of 2.12 million viewers and a 0.6 demo rating. The show's poor performance was not just in comparison to other channels but also to the USA Network's standards.
The ratings were likely a significant factor in the decision to cancel the show. The network's SVP, Ted Linhart, confirmed the cancellation and thanked the fans who had watched and expressed their support. While some fans also expressed their disappointment and requested the show's return, the poor ratings made it unlikely that the network would reverse its decision.
The show's low ratings could be attributed to various factors, such as the show's premise, competition from other shows, or a lack of promotion and marketing. Additionally, the cast's performance and chemistry may have influenced viewer engagement and, consequently, the ratings.
Despite the poor ratings, the show had its fans, and some viewers were disappointed when it was cancelled. The show's cancellation highlights the challenges of maintaining viewership and ratings in the competitive television landscape.
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Low viewership
The USA Network comedy-drama television series Common Law was cancelled due to low viewership. The series, which revolved around a pair of LAPD detectives who successfully solve crimes together but can't stand each other, debuted in May 2012 to 2.48 million viewers. However, its first and only season averaged a little over 2 million viewers with a 0.6 18-49 rating, making it the lowest-rated scripted series on the network at the time.
The show's low ratings were apparent from the start, even by the cable channel's standards, and it was rumoured that the series was essentially cancelled as early as September 2012. The options for the cast, which included Michael Ealy, Warren Kole, Jack McGee, and Sonya Walger, had also lapsed, and the showrunner had taken a job on another show.
Despite some disappointment from fans, the network confirmed that the show had been struggling in the ratings and would not be renewed for a second season. While the series had its fans, it seems that the decision to cancel the show was ultimately based on its inability to attract a large enough audience. With its low ratings and the challenges of cast and crew changes, the network decided to end the show after its first season.
The cancellation of Common Law highlights the challenges of maintaining viewership and ratings in the competitive television landscape. While the show had its fans who enjoyed the dynamic between the two lead characters, the ratings were not high enough to sustain the series. This decision also underscores the business aspect of the entertainment industry, where networks and producers must make financial decisions that sometimes result in the cancellation of shows, even those with dedicated fan bases.
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Cast contracts expired
The USA Network's freshman drama series Common Law was cancelled after one season due to low ratings. The series, starring Michael Ealy and Warren Kole, debuted in May 2012 to 2.48 million viewers. However, the season averaged a little over 2 million viewers with a 0.6 18-49 rating, making it the lowest-rated scripted series on the network.
The show's poor performance led to speculation about its cancellation as early as September 2012. At that time, it was reported that the cast's contracts had expired, and the sets had been dismantled. This meant that if the network decided to renew the show for a second season, new contracts would have to be negotiated with the actors.
The official confirmation of the show's cancellation came in October 2012, with USA's SVP Ted Linhart tweeting, "I can confirm to those who have asked that we are not renewing Common Law. Thanks to all the fans who watched and expressed their support."
The decision to end the series was likely influenced by the cast's contract expirations, as it would have required additional time and resources to renegotiate new deals. Additionally, the show's executive producer/showrunner, Craig Sweeny, had already moved on to another project, joining CBS's new drama Elementary.
With low ratings, expired cast contracts, and key personnel moving on to other projects, the network's decision to cancel Common Law after one season was a result of a combination of factors, with the contract expirations playing a significant role.
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Showrunner moved to a different show
The freshman drama series Common Law was officially cancelled by the USA Network on October 31, 2012, due to low ratings. The series, which revolved around a pair of LAPD detectives who successfully solve crimes together but can't stand each other, averaged a little over 2 million viewers with a 0.6 18-49 rating, making it the lowest-rated scripted series on the network at the time.
One of the possible reasons for the cancellation of Common Law was the departure of the showrunner, Craig Sweeny, who moved on to join CBS's new drama, Elementary, as an executive producer. This move left a creative gap in the show's leadership and may have contributed to the network's decision to end the series.
Craig Sweeny served as the executive producer and showrunner for the first season of Common Law. His involvement in the show's initial success cannot be overstated. Showrunners play a crucial role in the development and creative direction of a television series. They are responsible for overseeing the writing, production, and overall creative vision of the show. When a showrunner moves on, especially after a successful first season, it can create a significant challenge for the continuation of the series.
In the case of Common Law, the departure of Craig Sweeny may have left a vacuum in the show's creative leadership. While there may have been other talented individuals involved in the show's production, the showrunner's role is often pivotal in maintaining the show's vision and direction. It is possible that USA Network felt uncertain about continuing the show without the original showrunner at the helm, especially considering the already low ratings.
Additionally, the process of finding a new showrunner and ensuring a smooth transition can be challenging. Networks and production studios often prefer to have a consistent and dedicated showrunner who can oversee the entire lifespan of a series. When a showrunner departs, especially after a single season, it can create a sense of instability and uncertainty about the show's future direction. This may have further contributed to the network's decision to cancel Common Law rather than risk potential creative or logistical challenges with a new showrunner.
In summary, the departure of the showrunner, Craig Sweeny, to a different show likely played a significant role in the cancellation of Common Law. Showrunners are integral to the creative success and direction of a television series. His move to another show may have left a creative void and caused uncertainty about the future of Common Law, ultimately influencing the network's decision to end the series after its first season.
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Sets dismantled
The USA Network officially cancelled the freshman drama series Common Law in 2012 due to low ratings. SVP Ted Linhart confirmed the news on Twitter, thanking the fans who watched and expressed their support. The series, which revolved around a pair of LAPD detectives who successfully solve crimes together but can't stand each other, debuted on May 11, 2012, and ran on Friday nights through August 10, 2012. Its first and only season averaged a little over 2 million viewers with a 0.6 18-49 rating, making it the lowest-rated scripted series on the USA Network at the time.
By September 2012, there were already rumours that the show had been cancelled. The showrunner, Craig Sweeny, had moved on to another project, and the cast's contracts had expired. It was also reported that the sets had been dismantled, signalling that the show would likely not be returning for a second season.
The dismantling of the sets for Common Law was an indication that the show would not continue beyond its first season. This is because the sets are typically only struck or dismantled when a production has wrapped and there are no plans for future filming. In this case, the sets were likely dismantled to make room for other productions or to repurpose the materials for new projects.
The decision to dismantle the sets for Common Law was likely made by the production company or network, in this case, USA Network, in consultation with the show's creators and producers. There may have been financial considerations, as striking the sets can save money on storage or rental fees. Additionally, with the cast's contracts having expired and the showrunner having moved on, there may have been no immediate plans to continue the show, making the sets no longer necessary.
The process of dismantling television sets can vary depending on the size and complexity of the set, as well as the production company's policies and practices. In some cases, the set pieces may be reused or repurposed for other productions, especially if they are generic or easily adaptable. Props and furniture may be stored or sold, and any custom-built structures or scenery would typically be carefully disassembled and either stored or discarded, depending on their condition and potential future use.
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Frequently asked questions
Common Law was cancelled due to low ratings.
The series averaged a 0.6 demo rating with 2.12 million viewers.
Fans of the show expressed their disappointment and requested that it be brought back.
