NBC calls it quits on 'Undercovers'

NBC has decided not to pick up the full season of J.J. Abrams' action series "Undercovers," ending the show's run. Three more episodes will air on Nov. 10, Nov. 17 and Dec. 1; the series will be replaced by a "Shrek" holiday special on Nov. 24 and the season premiere of the a capella contest "The Sing Off" on Dec. 8. Three more episodes of "Undercovers" remain, but NBC has yet to decide whether they'll air in the future.

Breaking new ground with its race-blind casting, "Undercovers" stars two African-European leads, Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, as retired spies called back into working for the CIA. Though its first episode was critically praised, the show has since struggled with ratings and high production costs. On Wednesday, it delivered only 5.8 million viewers.

-- Melissa Maerz

Photo: Boris Kodjoe as Steven Bloom and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Samantha Bloom in "Undercovers" Credit: Trae Patton / NBC

Comments

[Wrnblack]

NBC has lost its mind. The show was great. Why cancel???

[Rose Paisant]

I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD NOT CANCEL THE SHOW IT WAS GREAT I WAS JUST GETTING INTO THE CHARACTERS AND COULD NOT WAIT FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY TO COME, SEEM LIKE WHEN SOMETHING IS GOOD AND HAS A VARIETY OF ACTORS THE NETWORK TAKE IT OFF, NBC RETHINK ABOUT IT.

[kwhy8strm]

I hate to say it, but I knew this show was not going to make it.White America is still not comfortable and ready
for a drama/action show with Blacks as lead characters, and don't/won't watch, and Blacks are not supportive enough either, preferring stereotypical comedies, i.e. Tyler Perry
sitcoms. It is just so sad.!

[Noelle]

Sorry the lead actors were awful. Try casting better actors.

[Rigel]

Somewhat expected. A later time slot and a lead in from an established series would have helped. Perhaps the series would do better on a cable network, such as USA or TNT?

[Magnus]

I had a strong feeling (even prior to airing of this show) that this show is going to be doomed just because I was not familiar with the lead actors (not because they were Blacks). I chose to watch the show from the very beginning because of J.J. Abrams.

I had high hopes that most Americans are smart enough to appreciate intelligent shows such as Undercovers. Obviously, I was wrong!

NBC could have placed Undercovers in a better time slot. Instead, it chose to place it on Wed @ 8P competing with established sit-coms on CBS and ABC.

No one will ever know for sure the cause of the demise of Undercovers. I just hope that it wasn't because the lead characters weren't Caucasians. Perhaps, people found these two lead characters just too "hot" for TV :)

I hope "Undercovers" ends up at another network (or even cable) because I very much enjoy the show.

[Leonel A Umana]

For its premise, the show standard needed for good rating was too high. Everybody like the story of couple struggling to get together at the start better then a couple trying to keep it together after the courtship and the hot chick is off limits by her choice with no regret not with reservation. That seems too real for a show that should be more fantasy then reality.

[John West]

Glamorpuss spies haven't really been believable since the early 1960s, before the Bay of Pigs, Iran Contra, Abu Ghraib, and suchlike. Only 40+ years, so it's not surprising the news hasn't filtered through to the rocket scientists at NBC yet. Remember, these are the folks who dropped Southland because it was too cutting-edge. Of course, 40 years ago there were only half the commercial minuites in an hour show you have now, so you actually had a shot at telling a story...

[Vincent Pitts]

I found this show mildly entertaining. The lead actors are good, but do not have a lot of star power. However, I think the main problem was the show was not serious action/spy thriller like Alias. I never felt the principals were really in danger etc and the plots were a little thin. The show was a little to much like Hart to Hart.

I give NBC credit for giving the show a shot. They promoted the hell out of prior to the season premeire.

[Roxanne Lynch]

I am not sure why everyone is saying they knew this show would not make it because they are Black. Have you all forgot about the Cosby show. They were all black and that show was great. I Loved undercover and watched it every week and very sad that it was canceled. I always seems when I find a show I really like it gets canceled.

[Vinnie]

What a darn shame, my girls and I would do a conference all every wednesday night while the show as on, we love the show, love the characters. Again...WHAT A DARN shame to cancel the show right when it starts.

[P S Johnson]

I love this show!!! I wish NBC would please reconsider. The characters are great! I just got into this show as well. JJ Abrams please consult another network into picking this show up. The excitement, the romance, the espionage... It's much better than some of the other mess that's on the tube.

[jen]

Big mistake by NBC. i love undercovers...what is wrong with these network they yank aqway a show before you adjust your sit.shame on you.

[Greg]

Guess What?

This show was just good ole entertainment.

Were some of the premises very unrealistic?....Yes...Is Kodjoe a bit one dimensional and "stiff" ?....Yes, but I watched simply for the entertainment value. No people like this really exist on this planet, but while this was NOT a comedy, it sure was entertaining....Too Bad. If James Bond movies were a hit, why not this show? I looked forward to it each week.

[John Scotton]

Put it back on!!!

[Reef]

This is where TV One or BET should/ can save this show and play it.
This show is Great has action, fun and romance. Something couples can watch together. NBC don't know squat. Keep this show on TV! My rating is A-

[beza hozy]

WHY WOULD SOMEONE CHOOSE TO CANCEL UNDERSOVERS?????????????? IT IS A REALLY NICE SHOW SO PLEASE DONT CANCEL IT. I LOVE IT

[clara]

I know I'm late in posting this, but I kept hoping Undercovers was just on a long hiatus. Seems the American public only likes reality TV or dumb sitcoms. This show was cancelled because it was sophisticated, intelligent and entertaining.