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.
It is interesting that every show that involves the CIA seems to get cancelled? Chaos is a great show, love the team and cast. What is it with the suits, have they a lack of testosterone? Please do bring this back for a long haul!
Gary
I found those two episodes by happenstance (turn on TV, there they are, and I wasn’t even going to watch last night) – that’s the quirky part of fortuity. Anyway, very very glad since I DO like, enjoy this show and these characters. My only beef? Why do they wear suits to China and Mexico? Are they trying to say – ‘here we are!’ ‘CIA’ ‘watch what we’re doing!’ Please do a little tweaking (the suits); get rid of the blonde; bring back the first lady he fell in love with (too good for a supporting role). Don’t take away… Read more »
My husband and I finally found this show and now we find that it is in limbo? How do TV viewers locate potential shows anyway? I have never seen this show advertised. We are regularly home on Friday and Saturday nights and usually have to rely on shows previously TiVo’d as the pickings are pretty slim. Tonight we actually found something new and different! We would love to have the chance to see more… is that possible? Or will we have to play hide-n-seek again to find something worth our time?
Love the show!!! Funny!!! Please don’t cancel!!!
We’re fans. Give it a chance.
I am glad to see that you are showing the episodes of Chaos. My husband and I really love this show. I think if you do some good advertising it would do better. It has a great cast.
5/28/11
WOW ! CBS JUST DOESN’T GET IT !
I JUST FOUND OUT THAT CBS HAD TWO NEW EPISODES OF ” CHAOS ” ON TONIGHT !
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN NICE TO KNOW THAT ! I DIDN’T SEE ANY ADS OR COMING ATTRACTIONS FOR IT !
WHAT A WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO WATCH !
WHAT WAS THE POINT CBS ?
This show deserves another chance! Maybe a different time or day? I am certain that if more people watch, they will stay with the show. I love this show!
Love chaos just needed a better nightb
pitiful withing the first three minutes
Just saw CHAOS for the first time tonight. Loved It! I can tell you why it didn’t get good ratings it was NOT WELL ADVERTISED! Looks like another episode is on….gotta go!
LOVED THE SHOW!!! PLEASE bring it back !!!!!!!
The show didn’t do well because it simply wasn’t very good. The opportunity was there to do a good thriller about the CIA….. but the producers poked fun at the CIA instead. And the fun wasn’t very funny. The next couple of episodes seemed to take the subject a bit more seriously, but not seriously enough.
Man I loved this show! It is awesome! It was different in so many ways and gave me something to watch Friday night! 3 episodes is all you gave it to gain ratings!!!! IDIOTS!
That show deserves another chance, I know a lot of people that liked that show.
Bring Chaos back….you had a good change of pace show and all the actors were great.