Each week, I take a look back at a pilot from the 2011-12 season, first reviewed on my blog during that season. This week, I am looking at a show that has the distinction of being cancelled three times, CBS's Unforgettable!
The Details:
Premiered: September 20, 2011 on CBS
Starring: Poppy Montgomery, Dylan Walsh, Michael Gaston, Kevin Rankin, Daya Vaidya
Created by: Ed Redlich and John Bellucci
Based on the Book "The Rememberer" by J. Robert Lennon
What I Thought Then:
"While the affliction is fascinating on a newsmagazine segment or an article in the paper, I'm not sure I want to watch an entire show about it."
"Poppy Montgomery is likable in the lead role and her chemistry with Dylan Walsh got better as the episode went on."
"Montgomery's character can't be directly involved in each case like she was in the pilot. When she isn't, how will her affliction come in handy?"
"As with many CBS procedurals, the cinematic quality is an afterthought and I think this show could have benefited from a more thoughtful approach on that front."
What Others Said:
"Unforgettable was on no one's list as one of the 'buzzier' fall pilots, but that doesn't mean it's not one of the better ones. It is." - Verne Gay, Newsday
"Unforgettable is a quirky, captivating take on the police procedurals that have been a staple of the CBS schedule over the past decade." - Glenn Garvin, Miami Herald
"It may turn into one of those crime shows that are competent enough but, well, forgettable, despite Ms. Montgomery's charms." - Neil Genzlinger, The New York Times
"It's a fairly standard crime procedural whose hook doesn't really add much - and actually seems like it could be an obstacle further down the road." - Rick Porter, Zap2It
"It's a new kind of plodding - so slow, you are almost begging her to stay retired so you don't have to witness her gifts in action again." - Tim Goodman, The Hollywood Reporter
What I Think Now:
Sometimes when I do these shows, I think "wow, wouldn't it be cool to have a show like this on Broadcast TV today even if it's bad?" Well, here I thought "this looks exactly like a show that would be on Broadcast TV now." From drab production values to dull dialogue, this show has been a dime a dozen on network TV for years. This show is one of the most glaring examples of "this brilliant person can solve every crime but they can't solve the most important thing" with Poppy Montgomery's Carrie Wells able to remember every detail about everything except her sister's murder. I do find the condition that the character has to be fascinating to learn about but I don't think its fascinating to watch. Procedural dramas already speed through steps and this premise felt like it made the show take even more shortcuts in the crime of the week. For a show called Unforgettable, it's pretty darn forgettable.
What Happened to the Show:
In a fall where there were some unique swings with new dramas, this was one of the more generic procedural entries. However, at the time, the 60 Minutes story about Marilu Henner's hyperthymesia had generated a lot of buzz which helped this show through the pilot process (especially with Henner on board as a consultant). Taking over the Tuesday 10pm slot after NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, Unforgettable premiered to strong numbers (14.1 million viewers and a 2.9 demo) despite mostly negative reviews (57 on Metacritic). It never really cratered in the ratings but wasn't breaking out and CBS was in a position where they could cancel shows that were higher rated than surviving shows on other networks. That was the case for Unforgettable, which was cancelled in May 2012 after a full season, having the distinction of being the highest rated network cancellation. TNT and Lifetime expressed interest in picking up the show but ultimately passed. However, just before the actor contracts expired, CBS reversed course and renewed the show in June 2012 for a 13 episode second season that would air in Summer 2013. The show was cancelled for a second time by CBS in Fall 2013 but was then picked up by A&E where it aired for two additional 13 episode seasons. It finally came to an end after being cancelled a third time, this time by A&E, in February 2016.
Final Episode: January 22, 2016
Episode Count: 61
Where to Watch: Prime Video, available for purchase on DVD
I'm excited to be contributing to The TV Ratings Guide! You can read my regular work at Benjamonster's TV!
