‘Do No Harm’ Cancelled by NBC After Just Two Episodes; Had Lowest Rating Ever
Life in a prime time slot is no walk in the park.
NBC’s freshman prime time drama, Do No Harm has already been cancelled after only two episodes. The show, which centered around a doctor with a deep, dark secret had the lowest ratings of any prime time television show ever. Without a doubt, it was on the NBC chopping block garnering only 3.1 million viewers and a 0.9 rating in the 18-49 age bracket for the premiere episode. The show continued it’s precarious decline with a rating of 0.7 in the demographic by the second and final airing.
The show stars Alana De La Garza, Phylicia Rashad, Michael Esper, and Steven Pasquale of ‘Rescue Me’ fame in the lead as Dr. Jason Cole.
Dr. Jason Cole is a respected, charismatic neurosurgeon with a great career, but he has a dark secret. He lives a double life much similar to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One morning he woke up to found himself in a hotel room surrounded by scantily clad women he’s never met before. Every night like clockwork, something devious happens to the doctor. He transforms into a man named Ian Price. Dr. Cole is constantly battling the demon that is Ian by using a strong sedative to curb his temptations. Over time, Dr. Cole becomes immune to the temporary fix and Ian takes over.
NBC has pulled the plug and will replace the drama with re-run episodes of Law & Order: SVU to fill the empty slot for the next few weeks.
Comparatively, ABC’s Scandal airs in the same time slot benefited from a series high ratings boost last week. In the 18-49 age demographic, the Kerry Washington led drama boosted the viewership by 9%.
Critics believe failed marketing campaigns, an unpopular cast and the fierce competition of the Thursday night time slot led to Do No Harm's eventual demise.