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.
Good show, if a bit quirky – doesn’t help that they seem to be showing the episodes out of order – Episode 8 seems to be more like episode 3 (due to Martinez and Ferrer not knowing each other). That’s a bit of a Fox move (*cough* Firefly *cough*).
Loved the show – the best new show in a long time – they did not give it time and they did not advertise the show so people would know to watch it.
It has a lot of potential and a cast of great characters. I felt that it was cancelled before it gained its on legs and deserves another chance. I’ve seen many more poorer shows that weren’t cancelled and should have been. I’ve enjoyed the show on its Saturday evening time slot but it would be better suited to being a lead-in to another show on a weeknight. The interplay of the four team characters could be better defined and given a bit more script strength but that’s what is expected when a show gets at least a year under its… Read more »
When I saw the 1st show I wasn’t sure but I watched it again and it started to grow on me.
CBS should give it a chance to grow. The show has enough diversity to gain the audience needed.
Making decisions like this looks more like an what ABC would do.
Maybe a cable pickup
I Absolutely adore Freddie Rodriguez and Eric Close. Ever since FR was on 6 Feet under and EC was on Without a Trace; And let us not forget Kurtwood Smith as that ever brilliant Dad on that 70’s show! He was freakin’ Hilarious! I was so excited to see some of my favorite actors all in one show and then to add the Hot Scottish actor James Murray- hope to see him again Very soon! And the surprising Tim Blake Nelson! I have seen him in so many things and was Thrilled to see him as a lead character, and… Read more »
I enjoy this show very much. It is one of the few that all of the family can watch and enjoy. I look forward to new episodes and believe CBS should consider advertising the show.
CBC had rerun Saturday, June 18 in the 8:00 pm time slot. I caught it by accident (did not know of this about this show). I believe it was the first episode, I missed the first few minutes. Thought is started of slow/corny. By the end I was hooked. I wanted to find out more about the show so I could see if it was a new summer series and see if there was any shows I missed. But sadly I found this website telling me that there was only three shows and it was cancelled. Too bad, so sad,… Read more »
I think that CBS really hasn’t advertised or pushed this show at all and shot themselves in the foot. This show needs more press to survive and it deserves it. I think the show is gold if someone would just give it the darn TLC it deserves to get people watching it! It manages to stand apart being funny and original in its approach to a heavily saturated law enforcement/spy theme that everyone is using, which I think says alot. Its characters are very interesting and likeable!
I too am in love with this show. Great cast good story lines. Another case of a network not caring about a show. Sticking it in a bad time and day in the off season. If it wasn’t for TiVo, I would never watch this. Other shows get endless adverts and good time slots, why can’t they give other shows a shot?
Please revive this show. Please? This is a good show to watch any night.
This is a really good show. The problem is no one ever knows what time it comes on and what day? Don’t cancel it. The actors are so good. It needs some time and more exposure. I really like it , good humor!!!!!!!
Good show the network needs to reconsider this one my wife and I enjoy it and would sure like to see it on next years summer schedule in a time slot where more viewers can be exposed to it.
CHAOS is awesome and needs to be picked back up. I think the time slot chosen for this show is horrible. Air it earlier in the week and not after 10PM and I think you have a winner.
I love chaos, they need to reconsider cancelling the show. It deserves another chance maybe on Monday night lead in to Hawaii Five O
I agree. I think the time slot killed the show. If it leads into a more popular show, it would have had a better chance.
I’m very disappointed I have been looking for this show and never saw it advertised. I found it to be very intelligent, witty and exciting. One of the best shows I’d seen in a long time. You really should consider giving it another chance.