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.
Why? Why? Why? I thought it was starting to be a good series. You didn’t give it any time. Put it back on and let it run for a while longer. It will turn out to be a good program.
I’m disappointed! My husband and I really enjoyed it. Seems to me the network execs are out of touch with reality. I think they had a hit in the waiting. Too bad they didn’t give it some more time to make its mark. I also think they didn’t advertise the show enough. We stumbled through the normal Friday evening crap and were pleasantly surprised to find this gem. So disappointing!
Yes, I enjoyed CHAOS! I wish they had given it more of a chance. I can’t believe they take off something intellectual and entertaining, with a great cast, yet they keep ridiculous sitcoms that only a bimbo would enjoy. Please bring back CHAOS! I truly enjoy the talents of Tim Blake Nelson and Kurtwood Smith. Perhaps the Friday night time slot was a deterrent. Come on, CBS – give us something to watch besides reality shows and canned laughter.
I liked it! the Pilot was great, second episode was boring and then got better with the third episode. That just shows it takes a while for shows to find its feet and audience. It was a very fun drama but just need some time and alittle work. I hope it comes back and people give it another chance. There’s alot of talent in that cast.
can’t believe they cancelled it already – they never gave it a chance! it was great – kinda like The A-Team meets McGyver meets Mission Impossible meets Mash! CBS is nuts! throw a new show in their worst time slot then say it got poor ratings – well, DUH! no one knew it was there! what a shame!
My family and I enjoyed Chaos. It was fun and has potential, the cast was great also. Come on CBS, you have to give the show more than 3 weeks, why not try another night. I personally, do not want anymore CSI shows or re-runs.
We finally found a show on Friday nights to watch that we liked and they cancel it. As always we’ll probably see nothing but reruns of other shows.
TO BAD, WE REALLY LIKED THIS SHOW. GREAT CAST, GREAT PLOT.
FUNNY BUT SERIOUS.
I enjoyed the show. It was funny at times, but I wouldn’t really call it a comedy. Eric Close was way too serious. Tim Blake Nelson was terrific — by far the bright spot of the show. I used to watch Medium, but that got cancelled. I’ve never been a fan of CSI:NY. I like Gary Sinise, but the show just doesn’t grab me. I really looked forward to CHAOS, because it was the only thing worth watching on Friday night. Now I’ve got nothing to watch. I hope they bring CHAOS back, but not on Tuesday. That’s the night… Read more »
Seriously I agree with everyone here CBS cancelled a really good show!!!!
And the actors were well casted, and very good looking might I add, and I could listen to the guy with the Scottish accent all day!!!
It really looked like it would come to be a fantastic show, please CBS bring that show back
I hope your CSI:NY gets as many viewers, seriously. You guys are zll ridiculous, cancelling perfectly good shows because of low interest instead of trying to figure out what YOU did wrong with them. Like advertising, being aired on Fri., etc., etc. Seriously, you suck CBS
AND why would they air F**K*NG CSI RE-RUNS when there are 10 UNAIRED episodes? WTF?!?! DUMB*$$ F**KS.
It was an amazing show, but aired on friday, of course it wouldn’t get a bunch of viewers. Everytime there is a new show on Fridays, I just download it on the internet.
I enjoyed it! I can’t believe CBS would pull a show after only 3 episodes. That’s rediculus. They need to give it a chance. It was funny and has a good cast. I for one would miss it.
I also liked the show very much, but I also liked the Medium, and didn’t understand why they cancelled that! And I also liked the ‘Defenders’, but someone cancelled that! Sheezzzz!