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.
Me and my husband loved the show. CBS needs to put it back on.
CHAOS’s first episode already set the tone for a refreshing new series! It was Spy Games with comedy and really great characters. I hope CBS decides to air the rest of the episodes on the shelf. Give the series a chance!
I really enjoyed CHAOS and hope that is returns. maybe this summer? it would help if the network advertised it. CBS has few shows that I enjoy. reality TV and “contests” are tedious. I enjoyed Number and I enjoy NCIS. please bring back CHAOS.
I thought it was original, and the characters were interesting. Darn!
Tired of all the reality shows that makes the viewers more moronic. Who cares who wins what. I liked Chaos and want it back.
I agree, you find a new show (so little advertising by CBS) and as soon as you get hooked they pull it off the air! Bring it back!!!!!
Bring it back. It is a very good show.
I can’t believe you would cancel a show like Chaos. It was a great reprieve from all the terrible shows on any network. How can you judge something from just a few shows. I’m extremely disappointed by your decision. Networks like TNT and USA will take over with great shows
Every time I get interested in a fantastic series, someone decides to cancel it. This was a
series that I was anxious to get home and watch. Now it is gone. What’s up?
I just watched chaos on my computer (Wally, I agree with you!) and I think it is funny and entertaining! I watch WAY more tv on my computer than I do on a tv! I just download everything and watch it when I have time and I often get programs with built in advertising. They really think everyone wants to watch reality tv?
I hate when I watch a show I like only to find it has been cancelled after one season or in this case, maybe even less!
Just found this show on my droid tv and am I am once again disappointed to learn that major networks have no idea what normal viewers want to see. This show is genius, a fresh shot at the cop genre. Please bring this show back, at the very least release it to dvd or somthing.
Chaos is a great show and needs to return. I was looking forward to seeing that every week.
I agree. I looked forward to watching this show and was very disappointed when I wasn’t running anymore. I much prefer Chaos to Flashpoint or Medium. right now Friday night is a total dud.
What the hell is wrong with these networks? They have good shows on and because it is not Paris Hiltons exposed crotch news worthy they pull them after getting people interested in watching. Not all of us out here watch programs on TV. have you guys ever heard of computers? you have more viewers watching these programs than just on tv. You guys have to realize this. If not, fire whoever is gather your info and do like others and posts your shows not only on tv but let me guess OH {HULU} and run the comercials with it there… Read more »
Please do not cancell Flashpoint again it is a great Friday night show too
What the heck is the matter with u guys at CBS and (ABS NBC) u all are loosing viewers not because of the good shows u put on, but u don’t have a clue what TNT and USA are taking away from u…CHAOS was and is a great reprieve from all the other cop shows u have had in the past…DO not take away any of the CSI’s or CBS is in big doo doo…Friday eves are when ur older crowd likes to have something to watch and the rating system has stunk since it was first developed…bring CHAOS back… Read more »
I agree!