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.
I really enjoyed this series and was trying to find out where I could get the first season on DVD. I am a collector of many of the TV series. I am sorry to see this show canceled.
There are not enough good shows on TV for the last two seasons. There seems to be a lot of really boring shows.
I can’t believe this show may get cancelled. It is a refreshing change to so much reality crap on TV now. The writing is good and the chemistry is really beginning to flow with the cast. it would be a real shame to cancel this show.
Delighted to find Chaos again. Such an enjoyable hour. Something original and surprise – entertaining – in its true sense. Viewer and actors all having FUN. Keep it on!
This is the first time I have ever felt strong enough about a show to write about it. I love CHOAS !! CBS please leave this show on.
Why? We found this show in June, it is FUN! We have
Enjoy each episode, the characters are wonderful. Give the series a shot. The end of April and a Friday night slot, no advertising what were you thinking. Wed needs help even Sat night would be a better time
I love this show. I think all the actors work well with and off of each other. I think it would have picked up a loyal following by word of mouth. I have told everyone about this show and when they watch it, they think this is a great takeoff on the spy shows and movies.
“Dramatic comedy”—–how enjoyable. Oh, I was referring to the the great work of the programmers and ratings gurus. The show CHAOS? Well, I’ve hunted it down (never know when/where to find it or how many (recently two new ones back to back). I dropped a movie 2/3 of the way through to watch a new CHAOS. This really is a good show. Perhaps the network should be kicking executives out the door as quickly as the shows—only instant success should be acceptable. Too bad—-I liked the chemistry of these “operatives” and the good writing they enjoyed on this show. So… Read more »
I think this is a fun, witty show! It was poorly advertised and cancelled way too early. Please bring Chaos back and cancel one of your reality shows like Undercover Boss instead. I believe this show would develop a healthy following given a proper opportunity.
i like this show too. They did not even give it a chance I watch it every Saturday
Please bring CHAOS back. I really enjoyed this show and loved all the characters who are so great. I am so tired of all the shows that are on now, and are the same format, and show me nothing new or exciting. I loved CHAOS because of the actors who were so unique. To me it was just good fun and they seemed to be enjoying themselves so much.
I also loves this show. PLEASE don’t cancel it. I watched when it first aired and was hooked. We need more shows like this, funny, entertaining and something basically, it’s something the whole family can watch. “CBS Cares,” if you do, don’t cancel!
I love this show. I have been watching it on saturday nights not nowing it was originally on friday nights. I truely wonder how accurate these ratings systems are. Bring the show back CBS.
CBS really didn’t handle this show well at all. They really should have publicized that first episode better to get people into it, because it was quite funny. A shame to see this one go so fast.
Its kind of hard to get into a show that doesn’t get promoted, advertised , or shown on the same night more than once before it gets cancelled . Seems like someone wanted this show to fail from the get go. I personally like this show CBS has a lot of other shows that are worth being cancelled if they need to cancel something how bout Suspect Behavior.
I’m so disgusted at the selection of television viewing right now. I really enjoyed the new show “Chaos” and am sorry it is being cancelled after such a brief time on the air. There are far too many stupid reality shows or amateur talent shows, celebrity tell/show alls or anything else that isn’t a good story. Really…who is watching all of this crap?