CBS has announced their new schedule for the 2009 – 2010 season. The network has the most viewers overall so they don’t have to make a lot of changes. But, because they’re in such good shape, they can still afford to shake things up a bit. That means dumping some shows whose ratings weren’t too bad.
The network has also picked up Medium which was cancelled by NBC. CBS says that they’re targeting a younger demographic next season but their choice of new shows doesn’t wholly reflect that philosophy.
With the largest number of returning shows of all five networks, CBS has renewed 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, The Big Bang Theory, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Flashpoint, Gary Unmarried, Ghost Whisperer, How I Met Your Mother, Medium, The Mentalist, NCIS, The New Adventures of New Christine, Numb3rs, Rules of Engagement, Survivor, and Two and a Half Men.
Returning this Summer are Big Brother and Million Dollar Password (which is unlikely to return for season two). New series for the Summer months include Do You Trust Me? and Jingles.
 Loading ... |
Next season, the Tiffany network has a fair number of new shows on the way as well. They include Accidentally on Purpose, Arranged Marriage, The Bridge, The Good Wife, Miami Trauma, Three Rivers, and Undercover Boss. You can also expect the NCIS spin-off, NCIS: Los Angeles.
And now, for the shows that won’t be back next season. Interestingly only a couple of these had really bad ratings. When you’re at the top of the heap, you can be choosy.
Eleventh Hour
A brilliant biophysicist helps the government investigate strange cases. The ratings weren’t too low and the show has a devout following but CBS execs cancelled it after 18 episodes.
The Ex List
A psychic tells a young woman that she’s already dated the man of her dreams and, if she doesn’t marry within a year, she’ll always be alone. The series was pulled after four installments but all 13 episodes were completed for a possible DVD release.
Game Show in My Head
A hidden camera show from Ashton Kutcher in which everyday people perform crazy stunts in public to try to win up to $50,000. The show enjoyed a brief eight episode run in January and won’t be back with more.
Harper’s Island
This murder mystery show started out pretty strong but quickly lost viewers. CBS is burning off the existing 13 episodes on Saturday nights. If there was going to be another season, it would have revolved around a new mystery.
Swingtown
A drama that follows three families in the swinging seventies. CBS ran it during the summer months and it attracted a small but devoted audience. The network tried to find another outlet for season two but couldn’t.
The Unit
This beloved military drama followed the lives of both a special forces team as well as their family members at home. A victim of cost-cutting measures, Dennis Haysbert and company won’t be returning to fight again.
Without a Trace
This venerable crime drama about the FBI’s New York Missing Persons Squad is about to go missing itself. Due to budget cuts and sinking ratings, the show won’t be back for season eight.
Worst Week
Thankfully, we got to see unlucky Sam and his bride have their baby together. Unfortunately, we’ll never get to see if Sam’s klutziness is hereditary. The show has been cancelled after 15 episodes. There was talk of renewing the show as a cheaper, multi-camera sitcom but it didn’t work out.
Will you miss any of these cancelled shows? Has CBS made any mistakes or have they gotten these right? See any they shouldn’t have renewed but did? Please don’t forget to leave your comments below!
Note: CBS later changed the name of new series Miami Trauma to Miami Medical.
Here are updated cancelled/renewed listings for the five networks: ABC | CBS | The CW | FOX | NBC
Images courtesy CBS.
Cancelling The Unit and Without A Trace BIG MISTAKE.
I hope CBS ratings drop significantly to reflect these changes…
They kept some really bad shows (Christine, etc), CBS execs are out of touch. Sports, 60 Minutes, CSI’s it seems are the only good things they do
BRING BACK The Unit !!!!!!!!!!
It is one reason that CBS is last year after year in the ratings. The people evaluating shows for CBS know nothing and have proved it by cancelling shows like the Unit and Without a Trace. It will not be long before these critics will be cancelled thenself.
I am really sad to hear the CBS has cancelled The Unit. It was and excellent show in which I really enjoyed and whenever I had to miss an episode due to work I would watch the show from CBS website. I never missed an episode!
CBS please reconsider bringing back the show. The story lines were unlike any others out there and kept you wanting to tune in the next week to see what adventure they would embark on next.
I have watched The Unit since day one…………my deceased husband was in the Army and my son was active for 9 years and now is in Air Force Guard and I really enjoyed watching this…….my son and I discussed the show a whole lot………..I think the Unit needs to be brought back and a lot of the reality show and comedy show removed.
The Unit needs to return to CBS!!
I am very upset that Eleventh Hour was cancelled!!! It was something different and now it’s just the same old stuff! Enough with the spin offs – stick to something original! Without a Trace was also a great show that was cancelled. What is CBS thinking?
I’ve watched the Unit since it started. I think the stars are great and I think it’s a shame it was cancelled. I think it was bad programming to put it on sunday nights especially during football season when the start time would be delayed. And I’m sorry that Without a Trace was taken off also I had only became a fan the last year due to syndication.
THE UNIT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELED! CBS NEVER could have made a worse mistake!
I’m not even old enough to drive and it was my FAVORITE show!
The fact that they wanted to target a younger audience is just complete bull crap!
I like or at least did like NCIS, NCIS:LA,CSI,CSI:NY,CSI:MIAMI,The Big Bang Theory, and THE UNIT!
Here’s my questions / comments: Please, please, please bring back The Unit. At least give us an ending. When does Flashpoint start??? Flashpoint is so much better than Medium. Why Medium????? Saw this one time on NBC, it was awful. Should’ve given The Unusuals another season, it had a GREAT sense of humor, this was one of three shows my hubby watched with me, the other is Big Bang Theory. LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!
Too bad The Unit is being canceled. It was one of the most exciting tv shows I have followed in a long time! It had a great cast and always an interesting / unique story line.
the unit was one of the few shows i watched, never really liked ncis and csi was getting old. the only way the networks will listen to to population is to not watch or even talk about the stupid reality shows they can produce for nothing. thank god i have a tivo to make their efforts fruitles.
CANCELLED THE UNIT! Just when I though CBS couldn’t get anymore ridiculous and STUPID they go and do this! That was a fabulous show! Having a loved one in the military I know what shows best fits the real world and The Unit did that!!! Now it will be replaced I’m sure with some stupid CSI wanna be show! Like we need one more added to the 21374625 shows they already have!
BIG MISTAKE CBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Unit was the best. CBS is stupid for cancelling the show. Enough with all these reality shows and CSI spin offs. The shows that have a theme and keep you coming back week after week are the best.
How could you cancel The Unit. It was one of the best shows on TV, I have watched every episode and was looking forward to the next season and then learned it was cancelled.
Reconsider!
I am very upset that you canceled the unit and without a trace! Both of these shows where great!