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.
The Unit is an awesome show. It WAS one of the main reasons me and my college friends gathered to watch CBS after our weekly night class. I can’t say that we will continue to watch CBS now that “The Unit” was cancelled. CBS, Do the right thing and renew The Unit !
I hate cbs dumb ass execs 1 st cane, then shark now my unit I’m goin to boycott cbs
Bring back With Out A Trace.
Please bring back the unit it is a mistake to cancel my favorite show. I look foward to showing it every week.
Why did you cancelled worst week it was great, it had everything that a serie needed. jkksdiajd whats wrong with you?
Eleventh Hour was great. It was a big mistake to cancel it.
CBS cut The Unit. I will cut CBS now… not many exciting, unique, and good quality TV shows worth to watch. The worse decision CBS made.
Please do not cancel Harper’s Island. My friends and I look forward to it every week!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! This show is awesome, and actually very accurate. Many other “military” shows are not watched by veterans or active duty because they do not depict realistic military scenarios, uniforms, attitudes, etc. Even civilians enjoy The Unit. We love The Unit, PLEASE bring it back!!!
The Unit is the best show on TV, very poor decision to cancell. Put it up against a reality show anyday.
The Unit really hit its stride this season and deserved better than being stuck in that Sunday night slot. How many episodes started at 10:30 or later due to sports running late? I can’t believe some other network or outlet could not believe in the “unit” of Shawn Ryan and David Mamet!
CBS has broken my heart more than any other network over the years. I hope Conan kicks letterman’s ass.
I am angry with the network for cancelling 2 great shows: ‘The Unit’ and ‘Without A Trace’. I wished I worked there and had MY voice heard.
I am really sad the are canceling without a trace…This should go on and I thought is was better then some of the shows they were keeping..
I can’t beleive The Unit and Without a Trace have been cancelled. I am a recent convert to CBS and found these 2 shows to be outstanding. Please reconsider your decision, especially The Unit which ended up being my favorite show this season. I don’t understand your reasoning here.
I cannot believe that CBS is making decisions like this. The Unit is one of the best shows on television today. Why cancel such a good show? And Eleventh Hour comes in a close second to The Unit and it gets cancelled too.
I must admit I love NCIS and the Mentalist so am really happy these shows are coming back but what is CBS thinking when they cancel these other two?????
CBS – listen to us – the people who watch EVERY week and keep these two shows.