Shark: CBS Gives James Woods Series the Hook — No Season Three
CBS has decided to cancel Shark after two seasons on the air. What killed the series?
Shark debuted on September 21, 2006 and stars James Woods as Sebastian “Shark” Stark, an arrogant and cutthroat prosecutor. The TV show did pretty well in its first season on CBS. It ranked 24th for the season with an average of 13.7 million viewers. The one downside was that the show’s viewers tended to skew older. But, in a season littered with prematurely cancelled drama series (Smith, 3 lbs., The Nine, etc.), the show’s ranking and survival was an impressive achievement. The series was renewed for a second season.
Season two kicked off on Sunday, September 23, 2007. In that 10pm timeslot, Shark had to compete against ABC’s popular Brothers & Sisters and consistently lost in total viewers and the all-important 18-49 demographic.
Like most shows, Shark’s production schedule was interrupted by the writers strike. When the strike was over, production resumed and four more episodes were created. After a long absence, new episodes began airing in late April. In the show’s new Tuesday night timeslot, it was easily beaten by ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen in both total and 18-49 viewers.
The show’s chances for a third year were still up in the air until just recently. Ultimately, the combination of Shark’s inability to attract younger viewers, the writers strike, and CBS’ excitement over its new dramas is likely what led the network to cancel the series.
Woods tells the LA Times that the cast and crew were “very saddened” by the news but were trying to stay positive. He continues, “We’re a little baffled by the decision but we’re very supportive… None of us can figure out quite why. But we have no bad feelings. This show did an enormous amount for me personally. We all won doing the show.”
>The current season, cut short by the writers strike, is made up of only 16 episodes. Shark’s series finale is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20th. It’s unlikely that the episode will offer any kind of closure for the series. Stay tuned! 
September 8th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Very disappointing that “Shark” was canceled. James Woods is a wonderful actor and we were so lucky to have him in a tv series after all the films that he’s done. This must have been a real slap in the face for him. I too don’t understand why the under-50 generation needs so much consideration. The over-50 population in this country is large and hungry for quality tv. Like everyone I know, I am sick to death of reality shows. Many of them lack intelligence and creativity, as well as being crude and low class. We have become a country which reveres sensationalism rather than quality. “Cane” was also a very good show and many of us were sad to see it go. As usual, several of the new shows will fail and maybe eventually the tv execs will come to their senses and bring back some of the canceled series. I also hated seeing “Commander-in-Chief” canceled, and if it weren’t for “Mad Men” which is probably the best and smartest show on tv (”The West Wing” held that spot in my heart for many years), and one or two other shows, we’d have almost nothing to watch of any substance or quality. It’s like the difference between the Hollywood films, with all their vapid, over-the-top storylines or excessive violence vs. the independent films which are almost always quality films with intelligent stories and incredible acting. If the networks took a vote from the public before canceling shows, I think they would be amazed at the response to keep many of them going. Finally, years ago, “Cheers” was canceled, I believe. Viewers called and wrote in to the network, insisting that it be brought back — and it was. And it was put into a timeslot which allowed it to thrive. Maybe there’s still hope for “Shark” and “Cane.”
September 7th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I am so miffed (I’m trying to be PC about this) that they have cancelled Shark. There are a lot of us (over 45 years) that really enjoyed this show - I am certainly not a reality show watcher. Why do studios play around with the time slots for shows - they sure seem to make sure that the reality shows timeslots are not changed. Why can’t they do the same for quality shows like “Shark”?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I totally loved “Shark” also., and never missed a show…never took any phone calls during it either! James Woods is fabulous in anything he does, and was superb in this. Everyone in the show did a great job. There’s hardly anything good on with any substance, and it is EXCEEDINGLY disappointing “Shark” will not be back on.
Hope you get to keep working, James Wood, in something you like!! We’ll miss you terribly.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Shark was great. It was nice to see James Woods on the screen again. I really enjoyed the series and the story. I wish CBS would give their heads a shake. Who cares about reality TV and isn’t even reality. If any other networks read this it would be foolish not to pick up the show again. For the amount of money TV executives are paid you would figure it would come with some form if intelligence. FYI CBS the younger viewers are not the ones paying to watch your network, we are!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 am
WOW!!!!!!!!!!! To say that I am disappointed that Shark has been cancelled is putting it mildly. I am FURIOUS!!!!!!! With all the reality crap on tv I was glad to finally find a show with substance. I never missed an episode and was never disappointed or let down by the plots or story lines. James Woods is a great actor and only he could carry this role. SHAME on you CBS for cancelling this show. They say that hindsight is 20/20 and I hope that you realize this before another network picks up this awesome show.
September 1st, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I am just extremely disappointed that CBS took Shark off the air. With the number of stupid shows like, Worst Week, there are those of use who enjoy real acting from seasoned actors such as James Wood. The role he played in this series could only have been played by James Woods.
May one of the cable channels like USA or TNT could pick up the show.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I must say after only noticing this show when advertised on uk tv, i searched for more info. From the start i was hooked. I think James Woods is excellent in this tv show. I’m 30 years old and never thought about the being a lawyer, after getting so infrawled in this show it really makes me think.
This show really has entertained me, i’m sad and disapointed to only see it last for just short of 2 seasons.
The wrighters strike has really caused why to much damage now.
Just like to thank james woods for an excellent 2 years.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I have to agree that this is just awful, I was so looking forward to it!!!! The crap on tv these days isn’t worth watching. I’m fed up with reality tv and have no interest in watching it! Shark, Jerico and yes House will probably go next….and now that I find “The Cleaner” with Benjamin Pratt a good watch they can’t possibly keep it going- no one gets killed, there is no blood and guts, heaven forbid! It’s all about the more gruesome and gory and compettive and step on everyone else to win in this me me me me world which is of course geared towards the younger demographic- it’s scary where it will all end up. Here’s hoping something worthwhile comes along……… I LOVED James Woods. He was awesome…. although I have to admit the cast wasn’t very ‘dynamic’, well except for is it Jerri Ryan? She rocks…. but it was kind of a one man show- even so IMO he gave a stellar performance and I loved every episode.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
wtf maaannn,,,every time i find a show that i can actually sit through, it gets canceled or they change the actors. how long before they throw “house” on the chopping block?guess we dont have enough reality garbage on tv, gotta make room for another. and wtf does age have to do with it?? are they saying that because more 50 yr olds than 20 yr olds watch it, its not worth showing? what kind of fck up crap is that???
August 13th, 2008 at 10:52 am
TV executives must have their eyes and ears closed when choosing programs. I am very disgusted with the shows that are aired presently. They are silly and ,most of all, stupid. When a good show is aired, such as Shark, without warning it is taken from the schedule. The same thing happened with the lawyer show starring Don Johnson..it was good…so it was discontinued. Reruns of MASH and Frazier are about the only viewing worthwhile.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Shark was a great show! James Woods was at his best. What do we need to do to bring the show back??
August 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
One of the best shows ever. Really saddened to see it cancelled. It seems the good ones never last.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Just realised that Stark aired its last episode - we’re a bit behind in the UK. I can’t believe it, what can be going on. We just loved every episode. Are CBS crazy?!
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
The CBS Execs do not have a clue. Shark was the best show in their whole line up. Cane was also one of their best shows. I hope another network pick up Shark and Cane because both show were excellent. The CBS Execs are idiots.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
2/8/08
I can’t believe that this show was cut!! From the 1st episode to the last I was hooked and I am in the 35 - 40 dem, my whole family including my kids thought it was one of the best shows on tv.
Bring back Shark
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Shark was a great show. I’d take it any day over any so called reality show. But then again, I represent the over 50 crowd, so I guess I don’t count.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I loved Shark!!! I am 16 so that BS that it didn’t attract young viewers!!!!!! I LOVED IT! I am so sad that it has been cancelled.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
from the first episode are family was shark bitten,
we were addicted.
now we are very disappointed that it has gone off the air.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
omg you delete this but keep crapy shows like dancing with the stars!
save that crap fit muchmusic,
this was a great show!!!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I absolutely loved Shark! It was brilliant!!! I am so sick and tired of shows programmed for the younger population! They are crappy, voyeuristic, stupid and ridiculous! But, since we’re in an “anything goes” society, what should we expect!?! With the huge number of over 50 folks, it would seem that this would be taken into consideration with network execs! We need to step up and let our voices be heard and NOW! TV is full of crap (says a lot about the younger generation doesn’t it?). Unbelievable! Perhaps a cable network will pick it up and save us older individuals from the pain of the current crop of shows to which we are exposed!