Introduction
Tour of Duty was an American military drama series that aired on CBS from 1987 to 1990. The show followed a platoon of soldiers during the Vietnam War, and it was praised for its realistic portrayal of the war’s horrors and complexities. Despite being critically acclaimed, the show was eventually cancelled after three seasons due to declining ratings and increasing production costs.
Ratings Analysis
In its first season, Tour of Duty achieved high ratings, often outperforming other shows on the same network. However, ratings began to decline in the second season, and by the third season, the show had dropped considerably in the ratings. This could be attributed to a number of factors, including changing tastes of television viewers, competition from other networks, and a decrease in audience interest as the subject matter became increasingly dark and complex.
Interviews with Cast and Crew
Several members of the cast and crew have spoken out about their experiences working on the show, and the impact of its cancellation. According to actor Terence Knox, who played Sgt. Zeke Anderson on the show, he felt “a tremendous sense of loss” when the show was cancelled. He believes that the show was cancelled due to a lack of support from CBS, which he believes was worried about the show’s depiction of controversial topics such as racism and sexual assault.
Financial Cost
The cost of producing Tour of Duty was much higher than most other television shows at the time. This was due to the show’s location filming in Hawaii, the use of expensive helicopters and other military equipment, and the need for large numbers of extras. As the ratings declined and CBS began to lose money on the show, it became unsustainable over time and the decision was made to cancel the show.
Cultural Context
The show was seen as increasingly outdated as it went on, especially in its third season. Television viewers had moved away from shows about the Vietnam War, and were instead interested in more contemporary stories. In addition, many viewers had become desensitized to the violence and darkness of the show, leading to a further decline in ratings.
Comparison to Other Programs
When compared to other military-themed programs that aired around the same time, Tour of Duty lacked certain elements that made those shows more successful. For example, M*A*S*H was able to balance comedy and drama to create an entertaining show that appealed to a wider audience. Tour of Duty, on the other hand, was too focused on the gritty realism of the Vietnam War, which failed to draw in viewers over time.
Conclusion
The cancellation of Tour of Duty can be attributed to a combination of declining ratings, rising production costs, changing tastes of television viewers, and its inability to compete with other successful military-themed programs. While the show was highly acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War, it ultimately could not sustain itself over time. The cancellation of Tour of Duty is a reminder of how quickly television trends can change, and how difficult it can be for a show to remain popular in the long run.
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