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 just discovered CHAOS on the third episode and enjoyed it thoroughly so the cancelling makes no sense to me. I didn’t see the first two episodes and was not aware of the existance of the series. From my point of view the weakness is in the publicity, not in the series itself.
i like this show
Really got attached to this show. Each episode got better and better as the characters developed. This idea of canceling a show after only an episode or two has really got to stop. Ever look back at the early episodes of long running series like “Law and Order”? They weren’t very good, but they were given a chance!
My husband and I love this show. It is a breath of fresh air in a reality show/gore and autopsy show driven television world! It has an actual plot but is funny as well. I am so sick of deadly serious or just nasty (think Survivor) type TV shows. I will be sorry to see Chaos go. I love the chemistry between the characters.
So sorry to see this one go. It was smart, funny, and the characters were deeply intereting. I wish they had given it enough time to get gong. What a waste of money to produce something of merit and then yank it before it has time to grow.
Hoping CBS realizes what a good show CHAOS is. The chemistry of the actors has been great from the very beginning. Don’t be stupid CBS – book another season and don’t change the writing team.
Please don’t cancel Chaos. There are so few shown on TV now that I enjoy watching.
No wonder I can’t find it…thought it was moved to another night. I LOVE Chaos!! Why is it that when a fun and clever show like Chaos doesn’t get the ratings of those dumb reality shows, it’s gone in a couple weeks? Medium was another one I liked a lot!! Jeez!!
Love Chaos so much!!!! The show is so funny and finally there is something on TV besides all those stupid reality TV shows.I make it a point to watch and I love the characters and the interaction between them …why cancel a perfect show!!!!! It is always like that when it is a good show you guys have to cancel it !!!!
CHAOS is the most entertaining new show CBS has put on since The Mentalist. I am so tired of the CSI shows, and I hate reality shows and sitcoms. Why in the world do so many people watch those things? Anyway, CHAOS is clever, witty, and different every week. Watching the established group of three spies take the newbie under their wings, and seeing how they are slowly developing a cameraderie is so entertaining. Please, please, CBS, bring it back! And if CBS won’t, this show would be a good fit for USA Network! They have been introducing the shows… Read more »
Precisely my thoughts. The series started off with a couple of slow episodes but has steadily improved. I’m sure that another check of the ratings would show a dramatic improvement.
My family and I think that this show is fun and we will miss it. I agree with others who said that CBS did not promote this show very well at all. I hope that they will reconsider.
love the show. funny and smart, please keep it going.
So sorry to see this go, will have to watch more TNT and USA.
I have enjoyed every show on Saturday night. It is the best of the week. Please due the right thing and bring it back for many more seasons, the cast is outstanding, all of them!!!
LOVE love LoVe chaos.. if they cancel it, I’ll be majorly disappointed. Theres so much junk on television now, and this show was proving to be not only decent, but funny, different, captivating, and probably the best thing cbs put out in a long time. Please bring it back for a second season!!!
I agree I just love that show it’s funny and it’s something to watch on Saturday’s night it is something differant to watch when there is nothing let to watch except reruns please save this show the actors are all great