Some skeptics now believe NBC's 'Outsourced' is worth a save-your-show campaign
By SHALINI DORE
Endangered sitcom “Outsourced” is getting some help from South Asians, who have appealed to the Peacock — whose Thursday night lineup has been dubbed “Must-See Desi TV” by "The Office" writer-thesp Mindy Kaling — to save the show set in India.
The Natl. Assn. for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications not only gave the show an award but has appealed to NBCUniversal topper Bob Greenblatt to renew the show for next year. The org has launched a Save Outsourced campaign on Facebook and via letters to the media and NBCU.
“Frankly I was an early skeptic myself, but ‘Outsourced’ has converted me — and many prominent South Asians — over to the show as it reached a creative high midseason,” says Rajan Shah, board member of the South Asians in Media, Marketing and Entertainment in a statement. “South Asians have always wanted a show to call our own. Many have been in the pipeline. Because of NBC, we now have it.”
Whether they can keep it is another matter. “Outsourced’s” best showings were in November and December, when there were weeks that it drew numbers as high as 2.7/7 in the key 18-49 demo and 5.5 million viewers overall, airing after "The Office" The ratings for "Outsourced" haven't been as high since moving into a 10:30 p.m. Thursday timeslot. However, the sitcom rated higher than “Perfect Couples” and since-canceled “The Paul Reiser Show” on Thursdays.
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This reminds me when they canceled 'Cheers' after it's first season... that was dumb... letters poured in from frustrated viewers.
"OUTSOURCED" is great fun to watch... I find the charters endearing... the cultural differences portrayed show us how much we all need to learn from each other and respect other cultures...
The actors are all perfectly cast and so talented, like "3rd Rock form the Sun,"...
I hope the show goes to FOX or some other network... NBC looses...
Posted by: Nancee LaFayette-Pang | June 26, 2011 at 02:34 PM
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Posted by: Cheap Vibram Five Fingers | June 22, 2011 at 12:37 AM
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Posted by: Tiffany Heart Earrings | May 30, 2011 at 11:44 PM
So sad this show was cancelled. It's one of the funniest shows on TV! I don't understand why a lot of people found it offensively racist. I don't get it. Anyway, time slot was ridiculous, we never did watch it at that time, but it was constant on our DVR!
Posted by: shane | May 25, 2011 at 01:27 PM
SAVE THIS SHOW!
Posted by: matthew | May 22, 2011 at 11:52 AM
most people cant watch outsourced because its only on at 10:30 but have they counted the views on Hulu the next morning? outsourced is the best show ever and should be saved, i dont care if they cancel any other show, but outsourced rules!
Posted by: liquid | May 21, 2011 at 09:50 AM
If perhaps scientific research will be to develop, whatever we want is definitely enable you to play, legitimately around coverage a results-- final results needs to be revealed without the need of anyone announcing just what exactly we can including the brings about currently have been-- plus finally-- a major thing-- a data so that you can experience final results. A major factor in regards to this data is definitely not wearing running shoes ought not to be convinced early just what exactly needs to be. Them are not to be prejudiced, plus express 'That is rather unexpected; I actually aren't happy with that'.
Posted by: Sunglasses 2011 | May 17, 2011 at 01:26 AM
Definitely worth a save. It's good to see other cultures on such a bland canvass.
Posted by: b003 | May 16, 2011 at 10:37 PM
oooh this is exciting! I am going to submit... :) Good luck to all the applicants, I can't wait to see who is chosen!
Posted by: cheap sunglasses | May 15, 2011 at 08:10 PM
Please save Outsourced...it is so clever, fun, and engaging. We need more humour on TV and Outsourced fills the bill!
Posted by: Jay A. | May 12, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Please save OUTSOURCED and give it a prime timeslot while you are at it. OUTSOURCED is my TV highlight of the week and I for one feel good about it. It is what it is, and as such it is a GREAT show (highly original). Recommend franchising the concept to other countries as well.
Irene
Posted by: Irene | May 09, 2011 at 06:27 PM
This is a great show and I hope it's not cancelled. It's on too late for us, but we always watch it the next day on Hulu. Love this show!
Posted by: Karen | May 06, 2011 at 04:06 PM
We love outsourced! It's the funniest and most refreshingly different show on TV! Great cast! Please renew it! DON'T CANCEL IT!!!!!!!
Posted by: christine go | May 06, 2011 at 04:00 AM
Watching outsourced is one of my favorite TV moments during the week. I think it is one of the top 5 shows on TV right now on par with Modern Family and Community. I don't catch it on TV but watch it every week on Hulu. Save Outsourced. http://www.letutor.com
Posted by: Aaron | May 05, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Well, here's one place that gets it right :)
http://www.outsourcedwisdom.com
Posted by: Outsourcedwisdom | May 04, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Difficult material to relate to and just not funny. NBC could do so much better than this. This show turned a lot of viewers away from across the board because the show itself is unclear and the jokes are cringe worthy a lot of the time or just fall flat. I can't relate to it at all. Give us a show that makes it easy to laugh! Meanwhile, outsource outsourced.
Posted by: j. laudner | May 03, 2011 at 01:24 AM
Send the signal that quality and diversity matter to the new regime. Pick up OUTSOURCED, NBC...
Posted by: Senorchuffa | May 02, 2011 at 11:58 AM
OUTSOURCED should be saved by BOTH parties - NBC and the "Writers". The writing is not AS SHARP and CRISP as it is for lots of other sitcoms on TV - Parks & Rec, Big Bang Theory etc. NBC needs to save it as there is nothing else similar - very unique, holds mirror to American and Indian cultures. And it needs to be brought to an earlier time-slot FOR SURE!
Will be sad to see OUTSOURCED go.....
Posted by: Rajiv Nema | May 01, 2011 at 12:57 PM
I love Outsourced and record it faithfully on my DVR as I can't stay up until 10:30 pm to watch it. The show is clever and very funny. Love Madhuri and even Charlie's growing on me. Give Pinky more lines, too! Can't wait for Rajiv's wedding.
Posted by: Susan | April 30, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Save Outsourced and renew it NBC!!!
Posted by: Chris | April 30, 2011 at 01:08 PM
whooo hooo. Whoop whoop. Great to see article. OS is fun fresh & colorful. It is a wonderful opportunity for south asian performers: I feel that NBC knows the value of OS in their thurs line up. Like nbc is bringing comedy into a new era, lets dooo thiiis-again :-)
Posted by: TJ | April 30, 2011 at 12:58 PM
I'm a big fan of the show for various reasons, not the least of which is that I and many friends work regularly on the show in small parts and as background extras. I've been there from the pilot on and seen the growth of every script, every character and the show now is poised to fly. It's better now than it was last August and it would be a crying shame to let it fall. I've seen actors who always thought they'd have to drive a cab or design websites on the side for their entire lives, striding confidently across the studio lot like they belonged there. Yes, it's a great show but it also provides work to a lot of people who are most often left out of the equation. We worked hard on that show, walking the streets of Mumbai for 14 hours a day. We brought our own clothes, our own languages, our own prayers, our own food. We're proud of this show. It needs a second season.
Posted by: Sonya | April 30, 2011 at 08:34 AM
I agree. This is a great show and hope it comes back! I'm always curious about what situation the cast is going to have to deal with. It's always great fun. Please keep Outsourced on the air NBC.
Posted by: Jackson | April 30, 2011 at 05:25 AM
My family and I love the show because it is unusual for us to see something so familiar yet with a hint of Americanism on our TV. All the characters at the call center are worth watching, especially Gupta, Madhuri, and Charlie. We've grown to love Pinky and cannot wait to see what she will be doing next. NBC, thank you for Outsourced and please keep this show on the air because this show breath excitement into our mundane lives. As an engineer by profession, I need to commute to work early in the morning and would appreciate an early time to see the show on TV with my family.
Posted by: Aditya Walia | April 30, 2011 at 03:05 AM
I'm from The Netherlands and i'm a huge Outsourced fan as well! It's such a good and funny show lol. Please don't cancel Outsourced! :(
Posted by: Anthony | April 29, 2011 at 11:51 PM
I think it's great we Indians are supporting the show but I am glad non-Indians are too. My friends and I talk about Outsourced all the time, most of the time I have to explain what it means. I hope the NBC keeps it on tv! I don't watch anything else on NBC that I can think of. To Mr Greenblatt, This is a great show that helps put a light on the world. Please keep Outsourced for next year!
Posted by: mananmd | April 29, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Cancelling Outsourced is a stupid move on NBC's part. First they toy around with Chuck and now Outsourced? They keep Office because it gets critics, and its funny. But its not exactly a ratings killer? So if ratings is not the clincher for NBC, then why fuss with Outsourced. Ratings were actually good at 930. I get that 10:30 at night sucked, but then again, I bet they are not counting DVR viewers. I've been digging this show for a while now. I love that it is at a call center and in India, insanely clever. Tell Greenblath that Outsourced is the most new idea to come along on tv. Save it please so I can get my Indian fix.
Posted by: DavidMN | April 29, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Join Keep Outsourced Fan page on FB. Just saw post of this article there. NBC has to keep this show on the air. I agree, 1030 is such a bad time. But I record, so its fine. Asha and Maduri are great. I love them like sisters! After the first few shows, I started to love it. I told my cousins in India in Pune about it and they are waiting for it in India! Thanks cast! NBC - Please renew it!
Posted by: purvacitygirl | April 29, 2011 at 10:03 PM
NBC would be making a HUGE mistake. Madhuri's head nod gets me every time. I think of my cousins in India. I love this show. It's gotten cooler with each show. Glad they are winning awards! They deserve it.
Posted by: Sanjay1452 | April 29, 2011 at 09:57 PM
Can't agree more! MR. Greenblatt - they are right. You have to renew the show. NBC would be crazy not to bring Outsourced back. I can't get enough of Gupta! Guy is right, I wasn't sure about it when it started but am its biggest fan now. Outsourced has become really sweet, smart, funny show. I love it. I want to travel to India!
Posted by: OSAlways | April 29, 2011 at 09:33 PM
It's a unique show... there's nothing else like it. A show that holds up a mirror to American culture from an outside perspective. Would be a shame to shut it down before it has a chance to develop. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm a fan.
Save the show... Write a letter to NBC at SaveOutsourced@gmail.com!
Posted by: DesiMe | April 29, 2011 at 07:26 PM
PLEASE, you MUST give this show a shot. It is clever, entertaining, and refreshingly new. But DO change that timeslot.
Posted by: Christopher | April 29, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Content-wise, it deserves to survive. It is a charming little series that has grown very well over the season.
Ratings-wise, it was killed when it got moved to 10:30. It was NBC's top new scripted series. Parks & Rec hasn't done much better than Outsourced did post-Office and last night's 30 Rock outing didn't do much better in the 10:30 slot either. And then there's Community who isn't exactly lighting up the numbers either.
Posted by: DryedMangoez | April 29, 2011 at 04:51 PM