'When We Rise' Ratings Disappoint

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Ratings for the first episode of When We Rise -- the ABC miniseries written by out Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black that chronicles the modern LGBT rights movement -- were the lowest among the big four networks during the 9 p.m. Monday timeslot, according to Deadline.

Opening to positive reviews and following ratings juggernaut The Bachelor, When We Rise pulled in 2.95 million viewers; that was still less than the audiences for sitcoms like CBS's Superior Donuts and Two Broke Girls, and police shows like Fox's APB. When We Rise did manage to best CW's Jane the Virgin, which brought in less than a million viewers.

Starring Guy Pearce, Mary Louise-Parker, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rosie O'Donnell as activists Cleve Jones, Roma Pauline Guy, Pat Norman, and Del Martin, respectively, When We Rise is a sprawling tale of queer liberation that covers the Stonewall riots to marriage equality to the transgender rights battle. Out director Gus Van Sant, Oscar-nominated for 2008's Milk, helmed the first of When We Rise's four episodes.

(RELATED: When We Rise: A Love Letter to LGBT Activism)
(RELATED: When We Rise Shows We're Stronger Together)

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Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.