According to the Futon Critic, Reaper pulled in a crucial demographic for it’s premiere on Tuesday night:
The lead in of Beauty & the Geek helped, but the show increased the Male 18-34 demographic by a further 6% and an overall 8% increase in total viewers. Impressive numbers for the show’s debut, especially given that it outdid Veronica Mars in the same time slot last fall by almost 65% more men and 67% more male teens. It gave the CW the highest number in male viewers that the network has ever experienced.
Personally, I dug the show and think it has a strong chance to pick up a “Buffy Bump” if they keep the tongue firmly planted in cheek and keep the effects and writing up to snuff. There is a good deal of internet buzz about the show - however, a healthy portion of that buzz compares Reaper to an older show, “Brimstone.” I’ve never seen that show - but from what I hear the comparisons are fair as they share a good deal of the same major plot points.
What think? Is Reaper just Brimstone repackaged? Can it grab and hold onto Buffy-like numbers - especially in a crowded line-up that includes a fair amount of sci-fi / fantasy related shows?
This post was Authored by John Gonzalez, Our Resident Authority on all things Reaper
Comments
I think I’m a Neilson house, so I contributed to that demographic.
I like the premise and I like the first episode enough to make an effort to see more of it. The humor fits and I could see these guys working as fill-ins for the Ghostbusters. But now that you mention it I have been feeling nostalgic for Brimstone while watching this and can’t help but compare Ray Wise to John Glover.
Reaper is a much more lighthearted version of Brimstone. Brimstone was very dark and gritty, Peter Horton did a great job, and John Glover was excellent! But the only real comparison between Brimstone & Reaper is the whole “man recovers hells escaped convicts”. Otherwise, that is all that is common.
Oh while i am watching this show i having decided anything about it yet the first ep was fine ticketed a few boxes the secnd eps not quite as many and i feel this story may get boring fairly quickly.