"Zero Hour" debuts to low ratings

Anthony Edwards is shown in a scene from "Zero Hour." / ABC

11 years after leaving weekly TV behind, "ER" star Anthony Edwards returned Thursday with the supernatural-themed "Zero Hour."

The new series premiered on ABC with Edwards in the starring role of Hank Galliston, the editor of a skeptics magazine who ironically winds up immersed in the world of the paranormal following his wife's bizarre disappearance.

Edwards previously starred on "ER" as Dr. Mark Greene from 1994-2002, winning a Golden Globe in 1998 for his performance. He also briefly returned to the role with a guest appearance in 2008 during the medical drama's final season.

"When I left 'ER' I thought, I'd never do a network drama again -- not because I didn't love it but because it was so much work," Edwards said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, also revealing that part of the appeal of working on "Zero Hour" comes from its stark difference in style to "ER."

The ratings for the premiere installment of "Zero Hour" were less than phenomenal, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The first episode lost viewers during its second half-hour, becoming ABC's lowest-rated in-season premiere for a scripted series in the network's history. The critics apparently weren't impressed either:

Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times: "'Zero Hour,' while initially tantalizing (priests, Nazis, Anthony Edwards, an unholy birth, a secret map -- I'm in! I'm in!), is more than a little disappointing (flat-footed dialogue, absurd plot machinations, cardboard main characters, ludicrous historical leaps -- I'm out! I'm out!)."

Tierney Bricker, E! News: "So yeah, TV gold this is not, but Zero Hour is kind of like junk food. You know it's empty calories and you shouldn't eat it, but you find yourself eating it anyway. We'll probably keep watching Zero Hour just because it's so insane that we want to see what the hell they are going to do next. Again, Nazis are involved."

Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture: "Without [Edwards'] unpretentious intelligence anchoring 'Zero Hour,' I doubt I could have gotten through ten minutes of the pilot without gnashing my teeth in annoyance."

James Poniewozik, Time: "If you DVR the premiere and watch the first few minutes and the last few, you will be treated to the most over-the-top hilarious parody movie trailer you will likely see all year."

Tim Goodman, The Hollywood Reporter: "'Zero Hour' has lots of twists and turns that could be worth following. It also has the DNA to be laughably bad."

Tell us: Did you tune in for "Zero Hour"?

[JLP27882]

I really enjoyed the 3 shows that were shown. I was looking forward to getting deeper into the mystery. It is better than some of the lame "reality" shows that are all over the channels these days. I think it takes more than 3 episodes for some people to know about a show. I also think the 8:00 time slot was not good for it. 9:00 would have been much better.

[mysteryviewer]

I loved it too.. It is better than all the junky reality shows that are on t.v. It is a good mystery. I agree with Ozzy64, I am tired shows being cancelled after a few episodes, especially Jericho. KEEP THESE SHOWS....people will catch on and will like them. Some people just need more time.

[Zodden]

"becoming ABC's lowest-rated in-season premiere for a scripted series in the network's history."

Thats really all I wanted to know. It probably won't make it to the 3rd or 4th episode with ratings that low. I'm checking out now- why be disappointed later?

[ladymiss24]

I loved it. I bet these are the same critics that think "The B in Apt 23" is a great show. All the shows that are great get cancelled. I guess there is some benefit to keeping garbage on TV. I dont get it

[claypainter-123]

I agree!I loved it so did my whole family which means it will be gone.God forbid we have a entertaining show instead of the stupid reality shows flooding the network.

[ozzy64]

The critics that panned Zero Hour are totally ridiculous. We loved this pilot and look forward to more episodes. The show had mystery, drama, good acting and a new and different plot than most regular new shows. We are tired of all half hour comedies and "reality" television! It's about time something new comes along that harkens back to shows like X-Files that kept us on the edge of our seats! We are tired of shows being canceled after only a few episodes or one season. Shows like Jericho, Do No Harm, Last Resort, Star Gate Universe, Firefly & Terra Nova. All different in their own ways yet kept us involved and interested. At least one of these shows cancellation made everyone angry that their show ended. Who decides these things anyway?