Pure Genius was cancelled MONTHS ago by CBS, with its Season 2 ambitions long turned to ash. But why was the medical drama doomed from the start? According to star Augustus Prew, Pure Genius was “caught between two different shows,” per TVLine:
“If I’m being honest, I think we got caught between two different shows. I think CBS wanted something a little more procedural, and [executive producer] Jason [Katims, of Friday Night Lights/Parenthood fame] wanted something a little more character-driven.”
Further inspecting the show’s carcass while weighing what it could have been in Season 2, he offered:
“I think we fell into the trap of potentially James was not likeable enough, initially — but there was a huge payoff coming down the line, when James learns and becomes a better person. That was the journey we never got to see, unfortunately.
Lamenting the show’s split personality of serial and procedural mindsets, he added:
“CBS and Jason had slightly different visions of what they wanted the show to be, and as a consequence we weren’t enough of either, if that make sense. If it’s going to be a procedural, we should have done a procedural and taken out of the character development. And if it was going to be about these characters and their lives and coming to terms with their own mortality — which is what I wanted the show to be about — we should have pushed that further. It lost its reason to be. I think that’s where we fell down, if I’m looking at it under a new light.”
Are you sad about Pure Genius‘ demise, or is the cancellation reaper welcome to the show?
Kate says
Every time there is a good show, some ass has to cancel the show. Thank Goodness we has Netflix.
Jeff B says
I really ejoyed the show. They should have given it a chance. Bring it back.
Tim says
I couldn’t believe it only lasted 1/2 a season to begin with. It was a good set up, to what could have become a great show. This is just the way things are going, if you have to think to much about a show, it gets cancelled. The so called reality shows that make me puke keep getting renewed, and the good shows, Person of Interest, The Good Wife, and Pure Genius keep getting cancelled. Kevin can Wait got renewed? I like Kevin James, but please, this show stinks. Pure Genius was much better. I guess they have no Geniuses left at CBS, and will continue to drop the good shows. Guess I will not be watching much of CBS next fall.
Dawn says
CBS never gives shows a chance! Pure Genius, Moonlight, Limitless, I could go on and in.It makes you not want to start watching a new show and get invested in the characters to just have them ripped away from you!
Verna Frederiksen says
My daughter is in med school and she loved this show, as I did. Please rethink and bring back! Thanks,
Lisa says
I LOVED Pure Genius. I told my sister to binge watch it. I hate to tell her it’s been cancelled.
Larry says
THE best shows on TV are Suits, Scorpion and Pure Genius … why they felt it necessary to remove Pure Genius is a mystery to me … finally a show with some hope to it instead of blood, guts and gore … medical advancements right before our eyes used to treat life threatening diseases/injuries that are current … ( McIvor, Royal Pains and Westworld all rolled into 1 show ) … characters were great, plotline was addictive … scheduling it for a Thursday night didn’t help viewership … please bring it back to at least answer the questions it has posed already in the first half of Season 1 but do it on a different night and watch it’s ratings soar
Vicki says
Amazing show. Please bring it back!!!
HM says
Pure Genius wasn’t hammy enough for CBS to renew. It was a very well thought program and I feel no show should be can celled after only one season. Let’s be real, they didn’t have it in the best time slot and all new shows need space and time to grow. CBS should bring it back. Period!