THERE WASN’T ENOUGH room for medial dramas “Trauma” and “Mercy” both to squeeze into NBC’s reduced primetime schedule (ever since Leno took the 10 pm slot for himself). So we weren’t surprised to see the hyperactive “Trauma” run out of adrenaline two weeks ago. And – let’s face it – “Mercy” at least had the good sense to emulate some of the grittiness and humor of the show on whose coattails it rides, “Grey’s Anatomy.” So the patient remains alive – sort of. While its original 8.25 million debut wasn’t a disaster, NBC execs can’t be too happy about the show’s slide to 6.6 million by its sixth episode. Similar numbers led ABC to kill “Eastwick,” which is why we were perplexed when NBC extended the episode order of “Mercy” to 22. The press release claims that execs have seen the new episodes, and they’re excited . . . which could be just typical network bloviating. Better explanation: NBC doesn’t have anything better in the tank, and while the audience is meager, they also believe it’s dedicated. But . . . wow. This was the network that had “Friends” and “Seinfeld” and shot for the moon a few seasons ago with “Heroes.” In an ominous sign of NBC’s reduced expectations – the network’s downturn is beginning to seem like a Japanese recession – it seems “Mercy” will indeed survive past its fifteenth episode. 11/04/09.
THE MARKET: Will “Mercy” on NBC make it to a fifteenth episode? The drama airs on Wednesdays at 8 pm. Trading will close February 10, 2010. If a fifteenth episode airs, shares are worth $100. If it doesn’t, they’re worth $0. Remaining episodes aired after a cancellation decision will not count toward the 10-episode requirement.
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