So, where were you? Why didn’t you tune in to FX on Tuesday to check out Lights Out, the new drama featuring Holt McCallany as a former heavyweight boxing champ on the skids? I really want to know, so I hope you’ll answer the poll and take the time to drop in a comment.
The ratings are in and they are dismal. I loved everything about this show, and Keith found it unappealing. Viewers didn’t even give it a chance before they decided it wasn’t worth their time. In comparison, recently canceled Terriers premiered with more viewers, but Lights Out had about 125,000 more with adults 18-49.
Lucky for me, I love both of the shows. Yes, that was sarcasm. Terriers is already canceled and it looks like Lights might take the same path. Why did it stumble out of the gate? Was it the premise of a boxer that was unappealing? Perhaps a young boxer would have incited more interest.
FX doesn’t seem to have a show “type” that does well. Not that their shows do not do well; quite the opposite. Nip/Tuck caused quite a sensation, as well as Rescue Me, Damages, The Shield and recent hits Sons of Anarchy and Justified. Their comedies have come and gone, but It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia started out strong and continues to perform well for the network and other series like Archer and The League have no problem engaging viewers. The only thing these shows seem to have in common is critical acclaim and recognition for pushing the envelope in areas that cannot be similarly pushed on broadcast television.
The brilliant and critical darling Terriers was at one point garnering only 212,000 viewers in the 18-49 adult demographic. I liked to blame some of that on Dish Network yanking the channel from its line-up, but with the premier of Lights Out as dark as it was, I’m all out of answers.
Is there anything FX can do to make you turn in to the acclaimed Lights Out, or has the ship already left the harbor?
Here’s a preview for the coming episode, just to give you a nudge in my direction.
Clacked by Carissa Pavlica 
on Jan 13, 2011 @ 17:37 EST5EDT
I have it tivo-ed but not in any hurry to watch, the commercials led me to believe it was “Rocky” of the week. That I would have to sit through a prize bloody fight to get through the episode.
Not my thing.
Reviews told me otherwise, that there was a story in there, much like the pony in the poop pile if I kept digging I would find it.
Just don’t have the time right now, maybe in a few days I will check back in – if it hasn’t been cancelled. One note on Terriers, there was never that I found nor were my tweets to the writer returned when asked, a scheduled marathon. I would have watched but by the time it came to my attention it was on ep. 4 or 5 and I was semi lost in the story.
*POST AUTHOR*
Definitely not Rocky of the week. Much more about the family dynamic. Just think of it as his career being boxing, rather than a doctor, for example. Turn on that DVR! ;-)
Will do, probably over the weekend (Football First In This House)
Looking at the other comments, the Boxing/Boxer angle seems to be the issue, maybe it is time for Fox/FX to change the adverts to more family orientated, less “Rocky?”
I’m just not interested in boxing in the least. I didn’t see Million Dollar Baby or The Fighter either and they were both well received. I just can’t bring myself to care about the plight of people who punch each-other in the face for a living.
. . . . .
Michael: If you think it’s just about boxing, you’re mistaken. Terrific premiere. Do yourself a favor and get it under your belt.
*POST AUTHOR*
Good answer!
let me correct myself. when I said “I’m not interested in boxing” that was true but that I meant to say was “I am not interested in boxers.” This show has boxers in it, right? Not interested in their problems. I loved Terriers though and was sad to see it go.
Same here, Michael R. I don’t get boxing. Why would people do that to themselves? I watched Rocky growing up, but I haven’t seen either of the movies you mentioned either. I always cringe when a show has a boxing theme and every crime show seems to have at least one.
So, I don’t plan on watching.
I’m with you guys. I know the show isn’t primarily about boxing and it’s probably a very interesting program, but having that story wrapped in the cover of boxing just turns me off. I abhor all sports, but boxing most of all, so while it might have a chewy, tasty center, the crunchy outer shell of boxing stops me cold.
Unfair judgement of what is probably a quality program? Probably, but I have to judge what I watch based on the premise and I’m not at all interested in what happens to a boxer, his family, his friends, et cetera.
. . . . .
I know you’re not talkin’ to me! I was there!
Still on my DVR… I’ll get to it.
Wasn’t interested in watching it. Still sore after the cancellation of Terriers.
For those pushing the family angle over the boxing, it doesn’t make a difference. I’m just not into family dramas either. Which is why I don’t watch ‘Parenthood’ – but admission time, I do watch ‘Brothers & Sisters’ (although they came close to losing me at the beginning of this season with a couple of plotlines.)
Add to that the boxing angle which I dislike, and I’m on the dock waving goodbye as the ship leaves the harbor….
I watched a few minutes of it, and just couldn’t get into it. I’m with Toby as it relates to the family dramas. “Good Wife” is about as close to “family” background that I want to see. I have nothing against boxing, I used to do it, not at the pro-level, but close. That might be part of the problem-like a real ex-cop is not particularly impressed with TV cop shows. On the other hand, I am really looking forward to the return of Justified on FX, and am also disappointed that FX didn’t give Terriers more of a chance, I was just starting to get into it. I think if they had given it a better name, and promoted it more, it would have a had a better shot. Thanks for letting me know that Human Target is on tonight, if not for your info I would have missed it and it is a favorite.
From the appearance of the promo, it had “Rocky 2.0″, “The Fighter 2.0″ written all over it. Quite the opposite. The guy from Wash. Post pretty much wrote it up as if it was an incarnation of it also. In fact, I say the main character has a more interesting dimension as he brings in his involvement in crime, and illicit activities as his way to care for his family, rather then just “hard work” which is just too sappy sometimes.
Though my verdict is still out on whether the show is good, based on acting, plot, cinematography etc, I thought it was worth watching the next episode as the pilot did a good job on highlighting whats to come.
I would blame its bad ratings on the marketing company’s poor execution on distinguishing the character of “Lights Out” from Rocky Balboa and Micky Ward, which we clearly are all saturated with.
more grit, more crime, more views.
I was a fighter, lived in Bayonne, NJ and grew up around the “street” scene in NYC ..Mafia characters. So I speak from experience
This fighter was totally UNLIKABLE! Most ex-fighters are great people as is the fight crowd.
The idea of a Loan shark asking a “profile” athlete to collect a debt?…Give me a break!
Read “Johnny Bad Ass” by The Big Lefthook…now that is pure action and the main character, “The Kid” is a real sweat heart despite being a cold hearted Killer
I watched it and would not compare it to Rocky (there was less than 2 minutes of boxing scenes in the pilot) or a family drama like Parenthood. I’d say its more like The Sopranos where its a man balancing family with another life. On The Sopranos it was balancing family with “THE family” and on Lights Out its keeping his family separate from the bad decisions made that sunk him and the bad decisions he will have to make to keep afloat. Its a character drama about descending into darkness in times of desperation.
. . . . .
Super synopsis, ac …
I have to say the pilot didn’t capture my interest. I stayed with it and saw episode 2. The show for me is very similar to so many other shows/movies especially in a season with a film like “The Fighter”. It actually seems to work against “Lights Out”, it makes it seem over done.
The other problems I have with the show was that it seemed even from out of the gate you could predict the rest of the season. You knew he was going to go back into the ring and a lot of drama and corruption would result. The characters were also very like cliche. I don’t particularly like Holt McCallany as the lead. His character came off as unlikeable with all the lying. Maybe I’m just not interested in watching this actor week to week. You have to like the lead or its impossible to stay hooked on a show.
With the ratings dropping to the dangerously low this last week its clear the show is not going to last. I’m sorry I just didn’t like the show and that’s just me being honest.
Bill Simmons wrote a column about The Fighter and it may as well be about this. Even though it’s great, it’s a 1975 concept made as a 2011 show. Is a good concept that can’t find an audience a good concept?
I can see why the ratings are failing though,
Boxing just isn’t as popular anymore, its a
dying sport which is a shame as to me its
still the best, people should give this show
a try, everthing deserves a chance.
I’m very sorry to see it go. I did like the characters and the storyline. It’s hardly been given a chance. Just like terriers. Still sad about that decision!