ABC's 'Off the Map' premiere is lost in the ratings on a disrupted night
"Off the Map," the new ABC drama sometimes described as "Grey's Anatomy" in the jungle, opened to a weak 7.5 million total viewers Wednesday night, according to the Nielsen Co.
However, the series -- about attractive young doctors working in the South American jungle -- may have struggled to find an audience due to a number of schedule disruptions. President Obama's speech on the shootings in Arizona was carried live on the networks, which forced schedulers to make last-minute preemptions and switches.
Even so, "Off the Map" scored second to NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" (8.4 million).
"Off the Map" is the latest from "Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes, who is one of the few showrunners to have three dramas on the air at the same time. Her "Grey's" spinoff, "Private Practice," is also on ABC.
What did you think of the show?
-- Scott Collins
Twitter.com/scottcollinsLAT
Photo: Valerie Cruz in ABC's "Off the Map." Credit: Bob D'Amico / ABC
I've watched the show off the map and will watch it again to follow Caroline Dhavernas. She's such a great actress. And i hope her character Lily brenner will have more screen time.
Posted by: Felicia | January 13, 2011 at 12:44 PM
I saw the show premier and found it a surprisingly gripping drama. The scenery was amazing and characters, were extremely believable. The fact the characters are not A-list celebrities will enable this show to grow without actors' egos getting in the way.
I give this two thumbs up for a highly original concept with class.
Posted by: Claudia | January 13, 2011 at 12:54 PM
whats ABC thinking with this hour drama. its boring it makes me turn to another network. why not put more comedies on instead of this hour of crap.
Posted by: B | January 13, 2011 at 01:44 PM
I missed it :( I was looking forward to the premier, but had to be away last night. I will certainly try to watch next Wednesday!
Posted by: Krissy | January 13, 2011 at 05:00 PM
lol, Claudia....You an intern?
Posted by: Michael Compton | January 13, 2011 at 05:14 PM
I really enjoyed it - I hope ABC doesn't get too skittish because of the ratings. The presidential address messed things up a bit. I hope they give it at least the entire season to build an audience.
Posted by: Erin | January 13, 2011 at 05:17 PM
I liked it, but I have learned not to get too attached to ABC shows because they like to cancel them before they even give them a real chance. I will watch it again (set to my DVR recordings) but I'm preparing myself just in case. But I have news for ABC, if they cancel this one too, I will lose faith and stop watching their network shows.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 13, 2011 at 06:24 PM
It is promising. Likable cast, interesting setting. I hope ABC sticks with it. I will watch it.
Posted by: David Seow | January 13, 2011 at 06:29 PM
I would of rather seen Cougar Town Wednesday night and Private Practice tonight !!!!
Posted by: Eddie | January 13, 2011 at 07:09 PM
I'm so mad that this show aired instead of private practice tonight!!! Grrrr. Not s smart move abc!!! Bring back private practice!!!
Posted by: Angry | January 13, 2011 at 07:47 PM
I watched the original pilot, and thought that was much better than the re-shoot (thanks to the loss of an actor over creative differences). But, the show is still good, and has potential. Meryl Streeps daughter, Mamie Gummer is awesome, and look forward to watching her on this show. Really happy to see a new addition, though. Rachelle Lefevre...wowsers. But, her character (Clark) does throw a wrench into the chemistry that was to have been between Keeten (Henderson) and Brenner (Dhavernas), from the original pilot.
Oh well, I've been looking forward to this series since I participated in the test viewing. Hope it does well!
Posted by: JJ | January 13, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Thought this new show was fantastic!!! Normally not a medical drama fan but will be one of this show!
Posted by: Mindy | January 13, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Didn't like the gore in the zip line scene. Hated the ridiculous stuff that happened (the doctor takes his mask off and shakes hands with a TB patient...very smart; the medievacs are waiting, but let's take the guy out to a lake first... and if the rock and ashes could make the algae glow, WHY DIDN'T THE BOAT SET IT OFF?) This show is pretty stupid and I'll never watch it again.
Posted by: Meeghan | January 14, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I LOVED the show! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire hour. The cast is great and the stories are fantastic. I hope this show stays on for a long time to come.
Posted by: Crystal | January 19, 2011 at 07:31 PM
This show was so formulaic, so predictable, and so ludacrous I couldn't even get through the first episode. The characters are corny and the predictable patient and doctor monologues were wince inducing. Obviously, ABC was trying to get more out of their investment in Lost by rehashing many of the sets. I think I even saw the smoke monster in the background...LOL...
The only reason I watched it was because my DVR picked it up thinking it was a private practice episode (it was even labeled private practice on my recorded list). Whats up with that bulls!@# ABC??? I wonder if ABC planned it that way thinking if someone liked Private Practice..."well, we'll hook em with ANOTHER medical drama by mislabeling the episode"....Not me ABC.
And yes Claudia ....you are an intern...LOL
Posted by: stampers | January 24, 2011 at 07:14 AM
i've been waiting for this show becoz of zach gilford - GOOD actor - but after 2 episodes... it has that "feel good" that is not too realistic, the new doc & the leader doc is so yesterday... shape up, please
Posted by: r alcoriza | January 24, 2011 at 12:40 PM