3 lbs: CBS Cancels the Stanley Tucci Medical Drama
CBS has a problem on Tuesday nights at 10pm. Last season, the network aired Love Monkey with Tom Cavanagh (who previously starred in NBC’s Ed) in that spot. It lasted three episodes before being pulled off the schedule. They tried the quasi-reality show Tuesday Night Book Club but that only lasted two episodes. Close to Home also performed badly in the timeslot but was moved to Friday nights and survived. CBS started the current season with the Smith series. Though many felt it was one of the best new shows on television, Smith was yanked off the air after only three episodes. To fill the hole left by the Ray Liotta series, CBS inserted the midseason replacement show 3 lbs to take its place. And now, guess what?
3 lbs. (which incidentally refers to the weight of the human brain) debuted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006. Billed as “the next great medical drama,” the show followed the medical careers of the difficult brain surgeon Douglas Hanson (played by Stanley Tucci) and his protege surgeon Jonathan Seger, played by Mark Feurstein. Also part of the gifted medical team is calculating neurologist Dr. Adrianne Holland (Indria Varma) and intern Dr. Tom Flores (Armando Riesco).
By airing this show on Tuesday nights, one might guess that CBS execs were hoping people who watched the very popular House on FOX at 9pm, would then turn to CBS to watch 3 lbs at 10pm. That didn’t happen.
The first episode of this House-like show debuted to 9.8 million viewers. The ratings have been dropping ever since. The second episode was watched by 9.2 million and the third episode was watched by 7.9 million viewers — prompting CBS to pull the doctor series immediately. The special 9pm episode of 3 lbs. that was scheduled for December 5th (entitled “Disarming”), has been replaced by an episode of The Unit. Repeats of CBS crime dramas will take the 10pm timeslot for the foreseeable future after that.
Eight episodes of the series have been filmed thus far, leaving five episodes unaired. Though CBS has not called this a cancellation, no further episodes will be produced and its highly unlikely that 3 lbs. will be given another primetime timeslot. Because of the public outcry, CBS has released all episodes of Smith on its website, for download via Amazon.com, and the show will possibly be released on DVD. It looks unlikely that 3 Lbs. will receive the same treatment.
It’s interesting to note that 3 lb.’s overall audience numbers have been lower than Smith’s, the show it replaced. Somewhere, I suspect Smith fans are quietly smiling. 
Related links
3 Lbs. on iTunes
|| Stanley Tucci DVDs || Drama Series on DVD
December 29th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I love this show.Kill any show at 10pm people are asleep NBC
October 6th, 2007 at 6:19 am
I am hooked into this series. It just aired recently here in the Philippines via the Hallmark channel. I thought of surfing the internet now to check the episodes but was disappointed to find out that it was only short-lived. Hoping against hope that this show continues. It was written in good taste
September 6th, 2007 at 4:07 am
3 lbs aired in the netherlands and is by far the best show i have ever seen. If there is anything i can do to help bring it back plz contact me. Enchantedsun@hotmail.com
Great acting, great script, fantastically put together. The show truly had the type of quality that goes quite missing in all other tv shows.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Does it do any good for actual people that loved ,loved the show 3 lbs, to cry and whine. You took away our favorite show of alllll. I was so happy when I first heard the opening music of Train, Angels, I was choked up. I knew this was going to be the best show EVER. Then you cancelled it. I still get choked up thinking about how awesome the show was…. Please…bring it back. Just needs a new catchy name. I think the name 3 lbs scared everybody away.
May 6th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I loved it too - I have seen more than 3 episodes on UK TV (but less than 8)- late night on Sundays I think - I missed the end of the last one and it was not on tonight so I suppose the BBC are not airing any more either. What a shame - it is a great programme and I am really disappointed I won’t get to find out what happened to Doug and his visions.
April 14th, 2007 at 5:23 am
When 3lbs debuted I thought Christmas came early. Stanley Tucci is by far the sexiest man alive. I have been saying that for years. I hope the network releases all of the episodes to buy on DVD. I would pay anything to have them. Right now I just have to be greatful for the 3 I have still in my DVR. And every time my phone rings and plays ” calling all angels”, I can remember the great show that was cut down in its prime. Shame on whoever did that.
March 27th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Is it possible to see the rest episodes from anywhere? DVD? please this is such an intellectual series, I love watching this show because there are a lot of hidden knowledge about our brain! and its function.
March 26th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I have been patiently waiting for this show to come back!! I really enjoyed the characters and thought it was going to be another E.R.!! And I loved the time slot because there is absolutely nothing on Tuesday nights!!
March 25th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I find this to be a unique show that doesn’t “fit” the normal nightime soap genre that’s overtaken television. A great cast, mixed with high quality, cutting edge science. Not the normal E.R. drama that other shows deliver where it is all focused on the medical staff characters. The two actors play off each other well and their involvement with their patient characters is a nice change and believable. This show didn’t need 20 actors and a handicapped character to make it work. It was a prime time “nip/tuck” less the sex, violence, nudity and vulgar language cable needs.
March 1st, 2007 at 6:06 pm
man i cant believe that they would do this 3lbs was a good show. 7.9 million viewers is a lot of people. but is it all about the numbers. they are making a very bad error letting this show go.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
BRING THE SHOW BACK. I loved the show, the story, the characters, and Feurstein (crush on him for many years). The show really stood out from the other medical shows which were just about gore, not very intelligent like this show. There was nearly enough publicity or ads about the show as I was not aware that it had even started. I had seen only one ad before the show began airing. I happened to add it to my iPod and just happened to watch it on my iPod on a business trip last week. I was very dissapointed to come home and find that it had been cancelled. I WOULD LIKE MORE EPISODES PLEASE. thanks
February 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
It sucks that we have to indure mid-season changes… loose a show… find a new show… love it… get thru the christmas break just to find you’ll never see this oneagain. What would hurt to fill in that time slot with the remaining 5 shows? I’m tired of seeing CSI Vegas/Miami/NYC reruns.
February 20th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I kept trying to find out what happened to 3lbs?
The 2 episodes I saw were great. Love the chemistry.
I also watch House, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, and a few comedies.
Anything we can do to get it back on?
Such crap on television today, it’s too bad they cancel the good ones after such a short try.
February 18th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I purchased three episodes of 3lbs. for my Ipod and just loved it…so did my husband. I actually went to this site to find out what time it aired on CBS only to learned it will not…very bad decision. High quality show, great acting and story lines. Hope it comes back
February 14th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Please release all episodes on DVD. I want to see all eight episodes!
February 14th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
My wife and I loved the first episode of this show and can’t belive they cancelled it.
Joke: What do you call a CBS executive with an IQ of 125?
Answer: A foursome
Please bring it back!
February 12th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Too bad, 3 Lbs. was an unusually intelligent show. I will miss it.
February 12th, 2007 at 12:09 am
For those of you who miss this show, you should definately check out House, on fox Tuesday night! Basically cause that’s the show that it was modeled after! House rocks!
February 7th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Please bring back 3 lbs. I loved it and couldnt wait to see it. I havent seen House or ER but I love Grey’s and I loved 3 lbs. I loved Stanley Tucci and I loved the fact that every ending was a happy one. Please bring it back.
January 28th, 2007 at 11:44 am
3lbs was an AWESOME show. The biggest problem with it was the fact that it aired on the same day as House. Now if you wanted your show to be well liked, well then you dont put it on right after watching House. House is an excellent show, and 3 lbs was pretty good but everyone compares one show to the other and you just cant do that when starting out. Just like the fact that you cant compare Grey’s Anatomy to House. Both somilar shows, both excellent show but both different in their own ways. Also both aired on different days. Put the show on a Wednesday or Friday, and you just might have a shot. I did Tivo this show. I got a season pass and everything because I thought this show had potential. One thing I never did however, was watch the show right after watching House. You definately jumped the gun by pulling this show off the air for good. I’m sure your fans would agree with me at least a little. Think about it and you will see that I’m right. With our luck though no on reads this so all that your fans say has now gone to waste.
January 25th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
House has become a joke to watch. ER is boring. 3lbs was an intersting and very realistic medical show to watch. CBS, in my view, you did not give this show a fair chance. In fact, I believe you blew it by making this quick decision to pull this show. I hear CBS teling their viewers that they are the most watched network.You keep making decisions like this, that could change very quickly. Perhaps another network might be interestd in 3lbs. If they are, I am their.
January 25th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Big mistake taking off 3lbs. The show was had potiential of being more interesting to watch then ER. Move the show to another time slot if need be. But bring it back.If you want to remain the most watched network on TV, then stop making decisions like this. BRING 3LBS BACK!!
January 24th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I also agree that these networks Not just CBS are canceling a lot of programs before they have a chance to get off the ground… some times it takes a season or two to get off the ground. We pay for the shows, and all we are getting is a bunch of reruns…..I am to the point where I I don’t want to see another CSI because it is played on every channel not just one of the CSI’S but all of them. I would like to have a discount on the money I pay to my cable network for all these reruns. BRING THESE SHOWS BACK!!!!!!! THEY ARE A LOT BETTER THEN YOUR RERUNS OF EVERTHNIG THAT USED TO BE GOOD.
Diana
January 16th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Two more sad viewers! My question is WHY? It wasn’t on long enough to ever consider that ratings weren’t what they should be. I mean for real, give the show a chance. My husband and I thought it was one of the best shows on TV. Now Tuesday is movie night. Score big for Netflix!! Not such a great score for CBS or their viewers.
Bringing it back would be wonderful! Hint Hint Hint!
January 16th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I do hope CBS will reconsider the decision to cancel 3lbs. We loved that show–it was our favorite new show this season even though we only saw the three. It is really sad that apparently the viewing public cannot support a quality program that is not reality based or some silly comedy..They have their place but some of us like something more.
January 15th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
please bring 3lb back!!!!!
bring it back!!!!!
i feel as if there is really too much violence on alot of the t.v shows.What a breath of fresh air to see the chemistry among all the actors in 3lb.Talk about wanting to find a great neurosurgeon-stanley tucci dressing into his scrubs was enough for me to want to watch as well as record for a rainy day!!!!Bring it back.What a tease to know there are more episodes and we are not able to see them.Ihope someone out there is listening!!!
January 15th, 2007 at 11:25 am
3 lbs. was a great show I also recoded it every week give it a chance and put it on another night obviously Tuesday at 9:00 is a tough slot
January 14th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
3 lbs. We watched this show and really like it. It’s on auto record on our Tivo.
Who counts the beans there anyway. They missed us
January 14th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I loved 3lbs. I feel that this show should be brought back.. Shame on CBS, I will now watch another network….
January 13th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
An extremely well acted, engaging show that I made sure I watched live and now I find out that it has been cancelled. Again as many have already said a very bad decision by CBS-This had mega potential and they never gave it a chance. Is CBS trying to force us to watch other networks??
January 12th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I agree with all of the previous posts. 3lbs was a great show. It reminded me a little of Chicago Hope (remember that one) and ER back in the beginning. I watched House then flipped over to watch 3 lbs. I really liked the way Stanley Tucci played Dr. Hansen. No he was not House but a fine performance. I hope CBS gives it another chance.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I’m tired of the “regular” channels canceling a show that is great! They complain that their viewer numbers are down. Can’t imagine why????
Stanley Tucci-find a dish/cable channel for your show! I will be there!
January 9th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I googled 3 lbs. to see when the next episode would be released. Much to my dismay, it has been cancelled! What gives? This was a great program with greater potential if given half a chance. Oh well, what does CBS know. Duh …
Zzzzzzzzz
January 8th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
I wish they would at least let us that liked the show have access to the 5 unaired episodes.
BRING IT BACK!!!!
January 4th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
So after a few weeks, I went to CBS.com to to see if 3 lbs was returning to the Tube, but did not see anything> I was really happy to see all these very sad people on this website…
So, I decided to send this link to CBS and request that they do the following…
Are you bringing back 3 lbs. Put it in another time slot and just show re-runs of CSI at 10pm on Tuesdays…Or move CSI…It has a strong following.
I beg you to put 3 lbs in the CSI time slot (instead of running a “CSI re-run”) and see what happens. PLEASE!!!!
Also look at these comments, you have alot of people upset that this show is gone!!
http://tvseriesfinale.com/2006/11/3_lbs_cbs_kills_the_medical_drama.html
Does your “Neilson Rating-Tracker”, know when your fans are recording the show on their DVR/Tivo? Something to think about….!
Keep complaining maybe we can bring it back…Also send Feedback to CBS too…
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
January 4th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
I cannot believe this show was cancelled. it was a very good drama and had intelligent writers and actors. it’s as good as house or maybe even better. it needs to be given a chance. i still cannot believe its cancelled.
December 30th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
3 Lbs was a great show. Usually it takes months for a new show’s characters to develop. Stanley Tucci was great. Please get rid of the insulting sitcoms and bring back 3 Lbs. I watched the first 3 shows and have been waiting for more. I finally checked the internet just to find out it is gone! You’ve got to be kidding!!!
December 28th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
The case of 3lbs, in my opinion, posseses an ensemble quality in addition to individual talent. It is/was entertaining and intellingent, and should be given a chance.
December 24th, 2006 at 4:48 am
I am very mad that 3lbs was cancelled. This is/was a great show. I also suffer from seizures. So I can really relate to the show. Only giving it three episodes is stupid. The show was excellent and informative. CBS please bring it back, or atleast release all the episodes on DVD.
December 23rd, 2006 at 1:52 pm
This is a message about Kidnapped & 3 LBs. We loved both of those programs. Wish you could put them on at different times and see how they do?
Please reconsider your decission on both of these programs. I have seizures & have had a brain tumor removed.
I find 3 LBs very interesting +++ we do like Kidnapped just don’t drag it out with one person being kidnapped.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to ALL!
December 20th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Well! I have been wondering about my favorite show, “3 Lbs”. I decided to google the series and came upon this website (which has been added to my favorites!). I am absolutely appalled that such a well-written, intense and, to say the least, interesting series had been cancelled!
CBS didn’t give it a fair chance!
What’s wrong with this picture??? When I was younger, we would all gather ’round the tv to watch our favorite melodramas. If you’re not showing nudity, violence, language and the infamous reality show, forget about it!
I thought this series would be a hit! I added it to my dvr list before the first episode.
Talk about shooting down my confidence! Whew!
Hopefully, if they don’t reconsider, it will be available on dvd because I will be pre-ordering my copy!
I normally don’t post, but this was definitely an exception!
Happy Holidays 2 All!
December 19th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
sad.
I was really into this show and it’s a shame they are going to fill the spot with more mind-less machismo trash. Perhaps we CBS should get to work on CSI-Boise or The Backup Unit.
It’s really sad to think that they’ll spend millions of dollars to produce 8 episodes of a show and only air 3 and call it quits.
dvd or at least itunes would make for a great outlet for similar shows with lower ’success’ rates.
reconsideration would be good!
December 19th, 2006 at 10:31 am
Coming from the medical field, 3lbs this is as close as it gets. House is a “has been and now a joke”
Stanley Tucci plays an exact replica of the neuro guys a scrub in with. Bring it back CBS!!
Coming from an M.D.
December 18th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
My husband and I loved the three episodes of the medical drama 3 LBS that we saw. I don’t enjoy the main character of the rival show “House” but thoroughly enjoyed the more “human” character in this show. We just got done searching the TV listings wondering what happened to it. We could not believe that it had met its demise. Maybe the executives at CBS need to see the surgeon for some brain surgery of their own! This was a stupid decision. Far worse shows have lasted far longer before having the plug pulled. This one was never given a chance. I guess if a show relies on expensive but GREAT script writing instead of cheap reality tabloid like trash it doesn’t stand a chance. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!
December 18th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
I really liked the show and I am very let down that it has been canceled hopefully it will be given a 2nd chance…
December 17th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
I agree with most of the comments already submitted - this was an intelligent show with similarities to House and Bones, with great actors and good scripts. Three episodes got me hooked, and then nothing. Very disappointing it wasns’t given more time. HOpw the remaining episodes that were filmed will be shown in the new year.
December 17th, 2006 at 11:53 am
I was very saddened to learn that CBS cancelled 3 Lbs. after watching the first 3 conpelling and interesting episodes. Why is it that only dumbed down sitcoms seem to prevail? Bring back 3 Lbs!
December 16th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
I love House but I also loved 3lbs. You guys need to practice the law of the price tag(leadership law) and not be so quick to cancel in my op-pion a very good show. I believe 3 lbs will catch on and be a very good show for CBS. By the way I think CBS has some of the best prime time shows.
Sincerly,
Ken Meyer
December 15th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
The show was an intelligent series. It offered a way to relax yet not be insulted with cheap jokes, overacted drama and mediocre acting. Instead, it offered complex human issues that were dealt with an air of respect and a more than superficial treatment.
It will be sadly missed as there is no alternative.
December 14th, 2006 at 11:09 am
I can’t believe you have cancelled this wonderfully, interesting show. I recorded this show every Tuesday on my DVR and then would watch it the next day before work. I am so disappointed that it won’t be back on. Won’t you reconsider, if not Tuesday why not Monday?
Disappointed By CBS…….
December 14th, 2006 at 9:32 am
I was shocked to hear of the cancellation of this show. Intelligent,well written.Great dynamic among the characters. CBS has no back bone. Go make survivor 90 or whatever number they’re up to.
December 13th, 2006 at 7:12 am
Whoever at CBS decided to cancel this show should seriously consider a new profession! Does this person seriously think that more reruns of an extremely cruel, derranged & violent theamed show is the answer??
December 12th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
I can’t believe it’s cancelled. other than csi that’s the only show out there that we watched.
December 12th, 2006 at 7:14 pm
I can not believe that this show has been cancelled. I could not wait for Tuesday 10pm! Now, I guess I will be getting to bed early
I was so impressed by the writing and how thought provoking and emotional it made me…I beleived in these characters. If you won’t put the show back on please tell me where I can buy the dvds.
PS. My husband hates who ever decided to cancel this show…We hope soon you will be fired!
December 12th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
I was so excited about this show. I generally hate TV, but this I loved even after a couple of episodes. It was nice to watch something intelligent related to my field of work.
December 11th, 2006 at 8:28 am
This show was awsome.Like cagney and lacey….they just dont give it a chance.But hopefully enough people will let them know it is a great show and it will come back.
December 9th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Really? Hmm. A friend of mine produces this show and the last thing I heard was that the show had received an order for additional episodes that will take it to a full season.