Right on schedule, CBS has decided to ditch their new Friday night TV series, CHAOS, after just a few weeks on the air. The show stumbled in the ratings right from the start and never recovered. It’s no longer on the air but is it cancelled?
A dramatic comedy, CHAOS follows a small group of CIA misfit spies who make up the Clandestine Administration and Oversight Services (CAOS). In addition to taking on threats to national security, they also must take on redtape and typical government bureaucracy. The TV series stars Freddy Rodriguez, Eric Close, James Murray, Tim Blake Nelson, Carmen Ejogo, Christina Cole, and Kurtwood Smith.
As detailed here, CHAOS debuted to a horrible 1.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.53 million viewers. That was quite a bit lower than the season average of Medium, a series that CBS cancelled because of poor ratings.
In the second week, CHAOS fell even lower to a 0.9 rating in the demo and 5.73 million viewers. Last Friday night, bumped up ever so slightly in the demo, to a 1.0 rating and 5.683 million. Unfortunately, that was far from enough of a gain to save the TV series.
CBS has pulled CHAOS from the schedule effective immediately. This week, a rerun of CSI: NY will fill the timeshot — and probably get better ratings. Next week, the previously scheduled The Royal Wedding: Modern Majesty will air. Then, beginning on May 6th, new episodes of Flashpoint will take over.
The network has 10 episodes of CHAOS left sitting on the shelf. CBS hasn’t said if there are any plans to release the unaired installments. Though CHAOS hasn’t been officially cancelled yet, there’s no way that they’ll be renewing it for a second season.
UPDATE: A statement from CBS indicates that the show will return to the schedule at some point in the future.
What do you think? Why did the TV show do so poorly, even by Friday night standards? Will you miss CHAOS?
Image courtesy CBS.
Chaos is a great show. Well, I guess it’s was a good show. Does CBS even have a clue? Maybe they are the #1 network and have some of the best shows but I feel they made a big mistake on canceling Chaos. I would like to know who the people are they base all their confidence in. Are these the same people that think CSI Miami is worth keeping on the air. Chaos is one of the best new shows out there way better than the new Criminal Minds. Another network will pick this show up in a flash.… Read more »
My daughter suggested we DVR is and give it a chance. Excellent show. The whole family enjoys it. Give it a chance!
It was like watching a great mini movie each episode… enjoyed the characters, the stories, the action, the comedy and the drama. Please bring it back on… friends and family are missing the show as well. CBS, who in the world do you survey to get your ratings? You never asked me.
Chaos was refreshingly funny and entertaining. I really hope CBS reconsiders, or at least release the episodes they already have made. Too bad 🙁
What a shame. The show had the right blend of tongue in cheek comedy and seriousness. It was funny and I loved it. I hope CBS will give it another chance on another night by airing the rest of the episodes. Sorry dudes but Friday night is NOT the best time to air a new series if you want it to have a snowball’s chance in hell of succeeding. How much longer is it going to take you suits to figure that out? CSI:NY had an established following from Wednesday nights before you moved it. At least give Chaos a… Read more »
stop cancelling good shows, not even giving it a chance. The show was funny and great cast.
chaos was a great show
i agree the networks are so competitive that they do not even give the shows a chance to take off before they cancel them. I would love to know who the selected families are that actually count in the ratings, they must me watching all the dumb shows because all the good shows get cancelled. I also agree that USA has great shows and does give them plenty of air time so the show has a chance to succeed which is probably why they have so many popular shows. I will not watch anymore new shows on abc, cbs, or… Read more »
We loved Chaos!!! I was struck by just how much it was a parallel to McCale’s Navy (yes I’m that old). However, it was both funny and dramatic. CBS just did not give it a chance to suceed.
Seriously!! I LOVE CHAOS!!!!! It is the only good show I have to look forward to on friday!! CBS is starting to anger me to the point that I am just going to stop watching the station all together if they don’t quit killing off good characters and awsome shows!!! I have already quit watching criminal minds because they ruined it!
I didn’t see the pilot and I too came upon it by chance. I had just started looking forward to something worthwhile to watch on Friday nights. When I couldn’t find it I scrolled ahead to see if maybe it had was really moved to another day. When I couldn’t find it I started searching the net to see if it had been cancelled, to my dismay I just read it was. Really, give some shows a chance!! I hope it does come back. I really liked the show.
love chaos , needs to be on another night,love cbs,dont cancel show!
Argh! TV networks are really starting to piss me off! Ok, not starting to, continually pissing me off. Chaos has a great concept, great actors and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have been a fan of James Murray’s since seeing him on BBC’s Primeval. Have loved Eric Close from Without a Trace and of course Kurtwood Smith from That 70’s show. I agree with other posts here that you cant just throw it into a Friday time slot and expect it to succeed. Especially at the end of the normal season. This is a show that should have been given… Read more »
You put the show on Friday night. I didn’t really see it advertised. I bumped into it by accident. I thought it was a good show – it had promise. Unfortunately, you put it on a bad TV night and you expected it to just take off?
Are you kidding me???? You got to be kidding!!! I loved Chaos – one of the best new show!!! It was wonderful – had my old boy Eric Close from Without A Trace and the guy from the movies (starred in the movie with Jennifer Anniston and Jake Glynnehall). What is wrong with CBS??? Give Chaos a chance – at least like us see the remaining episoles. My GOD!!! I was wandering why I would come home and cut the tv on and no Chaos. I am truly pissed!!! I was not enclosed in you little demographic – Im 50..
CBS sucks!!!! I loved Chaos!!!!!!!!! It is one of the best shows on TV. If CBS does cancel this show ABC or NBC should pick it up!!! All my friends and I love it and it’s rarely we agree on TV shows. We want more Chaos!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t live in America so am not contributing to the ratings but wtf america???? Chaos is like your only good show and you don’t watch it so it gets cancelled???? The beginning ‘recap’ bit was rather naff but the whole of the rest of the 45 minutes was pure genius! All the characters were perfect and they worked together really well. I can see how it might get a little repetitive after a while but shows generally increase their fanbase as they continue through the seasons. They should give Chaos a chance and more Americans should bloody watch the… Read more »