Forget one of the expiring Ewings, the entire future of TNT’s “Dallas” is still currently up in the air.
The rebooted drama, which has dropped in ratings from Season 2 to Season 3, may kill off its final character on Monday night’s finale. Quite a bit of the chances for renewal are hinged on how the show performs live tonight, a person close to the production told TheWrap.
If that’s the case, the entire oil-rich family may be going away for good.
Also read: ‘Dallas’ Finale: Which Ewing Will Die? (Poll)
All TNT would tell TheWrap is: “Renewal decisions are based on an entire season’s performance, including time-shifted and on-demand viewing.”
So here is how that entire season is going: In live plus same-day viewers, Season 3 of “Dallas” is averaging 2 million total viewers per episode, with 767,000 coming from the key Adults 25-54 demographic. Last season, the show brought in 2.7 million total viewers, with 1.1 million coming from the demo.
In “most current” live plus seven-day numbers, Season 3 has brought in 3 million total viewers per episode, with 1.3 million coming from the key demo. Last season, “Dallas” scored 3.8 million viewers in the metric, with 1.7 million in the demo.
See video: ‘Dallas’ Season 3 Finale Teaser Promises A Dead Ewing
With those sinking numbers, it makes sense that TNT is hanging its 10-gallon hat on a finale with a huge cliffhanger, something that the original show is still famous for.
The actors are doing their part to pull viewers in live. “The cast is active in the social space and they regularly live tweet in support of the show,” the TNT spokesperson told us.
Also read: TNT’s ‘Dallas’ Stars Strip Down, Oil Up in Sexy Season 3 Teasers (Photos)
For the finale specifically, the actors and actresses that populate the titular town have taken to social media to urge their fans to watch live, sometimes explicitly telling them their participation could decide the series’ fate. Celebrity friends have also gotten in on the campaign for viewers.
Thinking about tonight! Big EP for us tonight. May decide a season 4 ThNk you all for being there!
— Patrick Duffy (@therealpduffy) September 22, 2014
"@EvaLongoria: Pls watch my friends tonite @jessemetcalfe @Brenda_Strong on #DallasTNT season finale!! … http://t.co/1L0C0Y50B5
— Jesse Metcalfe (@jessemetcalfe) September 22, 2014
#getready !! RT @MrPEC_Tacular: TONIGHT 9/8c, see my Bro @joshhenderson on the season finale of … http://t.co/DKcrZuklUy
— Josh Henderson (@joshhenderson) September 22, 2014
TONIGHT! Season 3 finale. #WhichEwingDies ?? Tune in YO! #DallasTNT
— Julie Gonzalo (@julie_gonzalo) September 22, 2014
Don't forget to tune in to the 2 hour season finale of #dallasTNT tonight to watch the incredible @Brenda_Strong! xom pic.twitter.com/2biD4tugz3
— Marcia Cross (@ReallyMarcia) September 22, 2014
“@EvaLongoria: Pls watch my friends tonite @jessemetcalfe @Brenda_Strong on #DallasTNT season finale!! http://t.co/x4E0CtyoTR” Love you!
— Brenda Strong (@Brenda_Strong) September 22, 2014
Everyone complains about Monday. But it's #dallasTNT 2 hr Season Finale tonight! @Dallas_TNT
— Emma Bell (@EmmaBell17) September 22, 2014
The Season 3 “Dallas” finale airs Monday on TNT at 9 p.m. ET.