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.
Cool show, refreshing, kinda reminds me if Get Smart, somewhat.. CBS should give it more time..
What knuckle heads puts a great show on at a terrible time slot with no promotion and then are surprised when it gets lot ratings. It is a great show and the only one I look forward to each week. At least play all ten episodes you have already taped. Great cast and a great story line. Different than so many stupid shows at better time slots. They should have at least tried another time slot before canceling. They have already put a lot of money into the first 10 episodes, PLEASE give it a chance. It is a really… Read more »
CBS cancels the best shows. We DVR CHAOS whereever is show up on the schedule. Please give the show another season.
This has become a favorite of our house. We TIVO it so everyone gets a chance to watch it. Seriously, who starts a telvision show on Friday nights in Spring after the Winter we had. Demographis 2 @ 47, 1@19, and 1@15.
Can’t believe they are cancelling this show. It was such a refreshing change from the norm … light, funny, serious, great characters, different. What’s wrong with CBS? Maybe they’ll have a moment of sanity and bring it back.
One of the best shows on TV and a breath of fresh air, what a shame and a big blunder on CBS
My husband and I love this show. Each character is a great match for the others. I agree it should be promoted much more than it was. We just happened to catch the season premier and liked it from the start. We made sure we set our DVR to record it if we aren’t home. Please give these guys more time to prove it’s a great show.
CBS is really starting to get low along with the other stations, there seems to be no creativity in the stupid reality shows they think are so hot, I don’t know where they are getting their ratings from, but they always take off the entertaining shows and replace them with garbage, I say keep chaos and get rid of all the reality shows, what is the purpous of tv? I have my own reality life, I sure don’t need to see this CRAP on tv!!!
I cannot believe they pulled it after only three episodes. I think the name may have had as much to do with them not being able to find an audience. It sounds like a cheap reality show. It is too bad because it is an excellent show. I will miss it very much.
Sorry to see it go – we enjoyed it.
I love this show!! So sad to hear they will not continue after the final episode. These guys are so funny and dramatic. CBS is being disingenuous deciding to cancel after three episodes. Had they advertised this show more and tried it in a better time slot I’m sure it would of done well. I was also a fan of The Defenders!! These two were family shows…I guess I need to start watching ABC.
I love this show, please bring it back or at least show the 10 shows sitting on the shelf
What a shame they’ve cancelled Chaos so soon; one of the few summer shows we look forward to watching
I need to know if your canceling chaos. I love love love that show. It’s the only program i really look forward to watching. Please keep it on the air. Please.
Thank you
Patty Foster
I can’t believe that Chaos has been cancelled. This show was a delight to watch. I hope CBS reconsiders. It needs to be promoted more.