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 will miss CHAOS. With television being dominated by horrible reality shows (it seems they’ll give anyone their own show) it’s nice to have a funny – drama to watch. I find it amusing and very enjoyable to watch.
This was a jewel in the rough. It was hidden by not being promoted effectively. Before pulling a great show why not try another timeslot to give more exposure. This was a show that would have grown on the viewers.
CHAOS is such a good show. CBS is doing themselves a disservice by pulling this show, yet continuing shows that have nothing left to offer, and should be pulled. This show could do so much for CBS, if they would just keep it.
I only found out about the show recently! I love it and was disappointed to find out it was canceled before I even started watching it. I had no idea it was on whenever it debuted. This reminds of what happened to Firefly some years back. Great show who’s promotion wasn’t done any justice.
I absolutely agree. Firefly was a great show that didn’t get the support it needed from it’s network.
It’s so sad to see this show leave. My whole family has really enjoyed it and look forward to the episodes.
I agree advertise it more. I like the show, the cast is great together. At least run the rest of the episodes and promote it give us the chance to watch the rest of the shows already made. I don’t understand why you can make all these spinoffs and promote them, but when something new comes along if it doesn’t hit it big in the first week you don’t even give it a chance. Please don’t cancel a good show.
I agree with Dana, Shirley and all the others who like this show. We hardly got a chance to get into it and now they want to pull it? We were playing a board game recently that asked what was you favorite tv show and two of us answered CHAOS and all the others each said different shows, none the same.
I had no idea this show was even on until I was surfing Channels and seen the second installment if no one knows about it of course ppl aren’t going to watch it cbs is famous with me for there piss poor advertising if this was a new csi bull crap spin off they would have had huge ad campaigns but a show with a some what new idea and a good cast get screwed yet again way to go cbs how about we try out csi Pittsburgh next season sure would love a new csi oh or how about… Read more »
My husband and I love this show and the actors. Just told a friend today to watch it and when she asked for time and channel, I couldn’t look it up. I don’t know how anyone could not enjoy the actors and plots
I am very disappointed that CBS pulled the plug on this show. All the characters are GREAT and I love the humor/drama on each episode. I tape every episode and am VERY SAD to see this show cancelled.
CHAOS is one of my all-time favorite shows…the ensemble works well together and the show is funny with just the right twist of action and adventure…the plots are not over-done retreads. I hope CBS brings this gem back for a second season!
I loved CHAOS and am very disappointed that it has been cancelled. I think CBS should promote it so more people are aware of it and give it another try. Not only was it funny, it was intriguing and let’s admit it ladies, those guys weren’t bad on the eyes!
I love CHAOS. Everything on TV is just repeating the same old crap. Why can’t they give the show a chance to start at the beginning of the season….please bring it back….it is so funny!
I really liked Chaos and I’m disappointed it was “canceled.”. The network did a piss poor job of advertising it and thats why no one watched – they didn’t know about it!
My whole family loves this show. CBS do not cancel this show – promote it better and people will watch. I t will be a hit if you give it time.
My husband and I enjoy this show very much. It’s one of the few TV shows we watch together. If it has been canceled please reconsider.