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.
My wife and I really liked Chaos. We are sorry the network decided to cancel it and would love to see the 10 episodes they shelved! Advertise for it-I think other people would also like it like we do.
I wish it wasn’t cancelled. It was a good show, and i always looked forward to watching it. Bring it back or at least air the last 10 eposoids
Loved the show… It was entertaining and I am over these ridiculous reality tv shows. Chaos needs to be given a a chance
My whole family loved this show, action and humor all in one. The marketing for the show was horrible. Also, it seemed that several of the shows were shown out of sequence, which may or may not have been intentional.
My wife and I really liked the show!!!!!!! If was much better than the unreal “reality????” Shows that are on!!!!!! It was FUN to watch!!!!!!
I have been telling all of my friends about this really great show only to discover it has been cancelled after 3 episodes. What is wrong with CBS? Are they only interested in these stupid reality shows? Chaos kept me laughing which is more than I can say for most shows. CBS – please bring this show back. Maybe it was the day of the week that caused viewers not to watch. I accidently found this show – without appropriate advertising, how do you think people will find the new shows?
It was a good show. We miss it. Funny, political and interesting. Too bad. They take off the good ones. BRING IT BACK. Dump the reality junk…
Loved this show! I agree with the other commenters: good show, good cast, entertaining stories. Give it a chance! Watched some of the previous episodes again last night and laughed as well as sat on the edge of my seat. BRING IT BACK!
Chaos is an enjoyable show for three generations of my family. It is tiring to see so many channels with reality programming and a program with fun and good story lines being axed. The summer time lead in may have given the ratings a wrong read. We are ready to watch it whenever it comes back.!
We stumbled on Chaos and fell in love with it. Great concept, fun, cast really worked well together. CBS did little to promote it and the Friday night slot was poor choice for the demographic they were aiming for. Some showss take a little while to catch on, just think of the original Startrek–syndication, spin offs, merchandising of the series has long out lived the careers of the people who pulled it for lack of ratings.
I think that the show has incredible potential, but, like many shows, hasn’t been allowed to fulfill that potential. Good actors, good premise, they just need to get on their feet a bit. I’m very disappointed in CBS for pulling the show, and hope that they actually do air the 10 episodes left on the shelf – and hopefully more.
I love that show. Why do they have to cancel it? I think it needs to be moved to another night. Fridays are bad. The show is great. The chemistry between the cast so good. Please don’t cancel it.
why do they always take the reaaly entertaining shows off air. This was a show the whole family could watch. My family is very disappointed. They say “Bring it Back”
Well another show cancelled and I was just watching the NEW lineup and had to laugh. I can tell you right now the ones that won’t make it and some I hope don’t as they are so stupid my dog won’t watch. Chaos was cute, funny, light and made me smile. For petes sake you people up on your thrones — give the show a chance at least.
This is a really good show. Please with all the junk on television, why would you cancel a good show????