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.
Is there any chance yet, that CBS will give us an early Christmas present by putting Without A Trace (one of the best shows ever) back on the air? The individual characters and their unique qualities and development, their ongoing relationships with one another, the acting, the story intrigue and suspense, everything about this show was excellent! Why make us settle for second best? I’m afraid you may be losing me for good CBS, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
CBS- is famous for cancelling really good shows. It’s very hard being a fan of the network. If it’s good, it’s certain CBS will fine a reason to get rid of it. They alsmot never stand behind thier shows. Look at NBC’s “30 Rock”, its ratings isn’t that good, but man, they are supporting them. If that was a CBS show it would have been long gone. I’ve sadly said good bye to “Jericho” now I’m being forced to say goodbye, to “The Unit” and Without a trase. Thanks for nothing CBS, I dont have any peanuts to send to… Read more »
I will not be watching CBS as much since the cancellation of The Unit and Without a Trace. These two shows were among my favorites.
I cannot believe we are at war in real life and you stupid guys took away the one show that all Americans could relate to.. Unbelievable!! The Unit was our favorite show and we are still upset about cbs taking Swing Town off the air… that was one of the best shows ever on tv. Just when cbs starts to give us great shows they are taken away so why should we watch any of the new shows now….???? There really is no point. CBS needs to get their act together and start listening to their customers and put The… Read more »
My husband and I too liked The Unit and Without A Trace very much. They were two of our favorite shows and we seldon ever missed these shows along with Cold Case. Now there isn’t anything much worth watching on CBS. If you want us to continue viewing shows on your network, you will bring these back.
I loved, loved The Unit, Without a Trace, and my very personal favorite Eleventh Hour. CBS how could you!! Bring them back
Shame on CBS for cancelling The Unit. I’ll buy the 3 seasons of dvd’s and not watch CBS anymore.
Not very happy AT ALL about cancelling Without a Trace and also Eleventh Hour. These were both really good shows with developing plots…especially Without a Trace. Very upset about it
Cannot believe you are cancelling one of the best dramas on T. V. Who makes these stupid decisions? I am so tired on getting interested in a show only to find it has been cancelled for no apparent reason. Get rid of these predictable overdone reality (don’t kid me) crap! Quit pulling shows and leaving your audience hanging. Can’t you at least tie up loose ends before you cancel a show? Your faithful at least deserve that much and how about some warning.
I was soo bummed when I heard The Unit was being cancelled! Best show on television, I’d love to see a final season!!!
I liked Harper’s Island. It was one of my favorite shows this season. I thought it was so much better than all the stupid reality shows out there.
Bring the Unit back! Why would they cancel a good show and keep so many crappy ones? Bad move on the network’s part…
Bring back the Unit!!
Wow, the unit and without a trace were two great programs that never should have been canceled. Just goes to show these big networks have no idea what people want to watch. Way too much reality tv, not enough quality shows out there. Big mistake by CBS canceling those two shows, its a shame they made such a bad decision!!
Eleventh Hour was an awesome show!!! The plot was great and the characters were fantastic ! It was a hold your breath, edge of your seat, weekly mini-movie! What are you people thinking? This show has the same premise as the incredibly sucsessful X-Files, not to mention Fox’s X-Files Jr., Fringe, but with a twist. And I think it’s very timely with our country more interested now than ever about what effects viruses,vaccines, pesticides may have on us and the planet. Though science fiction, the show addressed these things when people were most interested, and we still are. CBS, you’ve… Read more »