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
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Images courtesy CBS.
YAY CBS for saving Medium! Thanks so much!!!
Love, Love,love Medium. Two big thumbs up to keeping it on the air!!!
I find it interesting that class tv shows like “Without a Trace” and “The Unit” are being dropped. I rarely watch the shows in real time as I virtually always record it on my DVR (I can fast forward some commercials to get back to the show and I always watch these shows!). Once again, I find it Interesting since both “Cold Case” –another great show, and “The Unit”” –one of the best TV action shows—usually butt heads with football, and is on later than usual, and we working folks can’t stay up that late so we record. My point… Read more »
Without a Trace being cancelled is a big mistake. I love the show,watch it faithfully and am now extremely upset. One of the reasons CBS has great rating is because they have great shows, sometimes you have to spend money to make money. You should definitely reconsider your decision to cancel it.
I can NOT believe Without a Trace and the Unit are being cancelled. What the heck??? Two shows that we never missed thanks to the DVR. And how about some type of closure???? It’s like reading a great book and getting to the end before you realize the last chapter has been torn out. Really disappointing.
All Eleventh Hour lovers, please come check out the Campaign to get it back on the air. We have made a lot of progress, and just re-organized to make everything much simpler. If you haven’t already, take a look. If you have, come and take another look. You will like what you see!
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What the heck are they thinking? The Unit was a fantastic show, and I am sorely disappointed in the cancellation. Shame, CBS.
My wife and I loved The Unit and Without A Trace. We are baffled at their cancellation.
There are so few good shows with believable storylines and strong characters. Why can’t we can’t we count on you?!!! We have faithfully followed “Without a Trace” through the seasons and now you are leaving us with one less hour of entertainment (not even a finale, not that we want that).
Let’s see now, what is left? “Numbers”, “Mentalist” (really stretching it, but we need a laugh), Nova, depressing daily news (ABC and PBS) …
Of course, there is plenty of trash — so called reality and “entertainment” being offered these days. PLEASE return “Without a Trace”.
What is the matter with CBS ? The Unit, Eleventh Hour and Without a Trace are shows that I never missed, they were well done and very exciting. If Budgets were tight than maybe the Big Shots should cut some of their salaries because apparently they aren’t making sound decisions as to what viewers like and aren’t earning their pay. I am so disappointed. I hate it when stations leave you hanging and don’t end a series properly and give you closure. Kudos to Fox at least they took the viewers into consideration and ended Prison Break with class .
How can you keep the stupid reality shows and cancel those that entertain and educate? Many of my friends are leaning more and more away from the big three and going to other stations i.e. TNT, LIfetime, USA and those who are putting on some adult stuff.
HUGE mistake with the Unit and Without a Trace. We do a ratings game in our community of 1604 homes. Both shows watched by over 50% of the homes
CBS may have been shortsighted enough to cancel Eleventh Hour, but the Campaign to bring it back is not over. If you love EH like we do, check out this new link at our new site. There are still possibilities to save this show but we need each and every fan to help! CBS is not the only network out there, and there are also wonderful cable stations such as TNT and USA. Let’s find out which one is smart enough to grab this show up!
http://www.planet-hood.net/campaign
I think someone who makes the decisions has lost their mind. Withouth a Trace is one of the best shows on the air. It is one I never miss. The only two shows on the air that are as good are CSI and the Medium, which I understand also may be canelled. I think the decision makers need to understand that adults watch TV too, its not just teenagers and yuppies. BIG MISTAKE
Please don’t cancel the Unit and Without A Trace!!