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.
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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.
I am extremly disappointed that Without a Trace and The Unit were cancelled. Looks like CBS is moving on to cheaper, mindless shows that I won’t be watching.
Cancelling The Unit is a horrible mistake. IMO it was the best show on TV. Enough CSI Drama already. The Unit was one of a kind and to whoever made the decision doesn’t have common sense. Just my two cents though.
I agree with Richard too. the Unit is a great show, and deserved better.
I Agree with Richard . There are too many reality shows . The unit gave people a little excitment
I think cancelling the Unit is a huge mistake. That was a great show and I think had a huge following. I think all the CSI spin offs are getting out of hand and the Unit was more interesting and unique.
I was really looking forward to watching ” The Unit ” this fall. What a shame!
Cancel CSI Miami if you want.That’s got to be the most stupid, unrealist show ever; and don’t get me started on Caruso!!!!
Numbers can Go as well and Criminal Minds Is SO vialent. But please keep Without a trace.
I loved The Unit and Without a Trace, why would they cancel these shows? NBC cancelled Medium and they picked it up. They already have a stupid ghost show!
My husband and I are very disappointed that Without a Trace , The Unit and Eleventh Hour will not return this season. We think you could have gotten rid of Two and a Half Men. Why pick up Medium? If it didn’t do well on NBC what makes you think it will do any better on CBS? Keep some of the shows that are tried and true. CBS has always been our favorite channel to watch. It is too soon to see how The Good Wife will be.
I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU CANCELED THE UNIT. THAT WAS THE ONLY CBS SHOW I WATCH. PLEASE RE-CONSIDER. OTHERWISE, BYE-BYE CBS.
I am flabbergasted that CBS has cancelled The Unit. Won’t watch CBS going forward unless The Unit returns.
Cannot believe you cancelled Without A Trace – one show that I never missed on Tuesday night. And what’s with another crime scene show – NCIS Los Angeles – don’t think we need another one, and I feel it will take away from the original NCIS.
Are the people in charge of CBS programming insane!!! I guess so, cuz’ how could any “TV-decision-making-person” in their right mind cancel THE UNIT … best show on TV, period! Makes no sense. They want to cut the budget and they do it by cancelling their best show … SERIOUSLY! Come on! I was sooooo hooked! Sunday night was my favorite night of the week … why you ask? you guessed it! … yup cuz’ of the Unit. CBS has certainly lost a viewer. As a matter of principle, that channel will not be viewed in my home, unless they… Read more »
I cannot believe you cancelled The unit and without a trace. STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRING THEM BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Without a Trace and The Unit were 2 of my favorite shows. I cannot believe you cancelled them. Why would you keep The Mentalist and Cold Case and end 2 great shows????????