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.
This is one of the smartest, best written and best acted shows on TV. Can’t we have an intelligent alternative to all the stupid reality trash? Please don’t cancel this program.
I loved the show CHAOS! It was clean and humerus and I really enjoyed it. I’m very sorry to see that CBS decided to end it. Hopefully USA picks it up. I find that I’m watching more and more shows from them than all of the 3 “major” networks.
I agree with what everyone else said, it was a breath of “fresh air”. My kids even enjoyed it and I did not mind them watching the show. There wasn’t a lot of vulgar language nor was there all sex. The show was good clean fun!!!!!! It had action, adventure, humor and a touch of romance, just what we need lately. Bring it back.
ARE YOU STUPID CBS!!!!! You cancelled the best show on TV. I loved everything about CHAOS. Great crew and very entertaining. I loved it and loved the story lines.
YOU MADE A BIG MISTAKE!!!! Bring it back or other networks….pick it up. It’s a winner!!!!
We have been looking for this program. We couldn’t remember which night it was on, but like the episodes we saw. As others said, it was one of the best of the new programs. Not into reality tv. CBS should bring it back. A good program for Friday night.
THIS WAS THE SHOW WE WENT TO AND LOOKED FORWARD TO THE MOST. MOST SHOWS ARE DANCING, TEEN CRAP OR BAD SINGING WITH NO TALENT HAS BEEN JUDGES
I’ll miss this series. The characters were just starting to develop and becoming very entertaining.
CBS had a good enjoyable show that filled a Friday night slot. This is the hardest night to fill with any success yet they did not give CHAOS enough time for veiwers to see, enjoy and become loyal to tune in every week. This show was so interesting that we actually set it to DVR for those Friday evenings when we were not home. Too bad CBS does not have patience.
chaos was a very good show. It kept you involved through out the show. I’m very up set with CBS. they always cancel the good shows and keep the trash. I really hope they put it back on. (What where they thinking)
Really like the show. Thought it had likeable characters and was a great departure from the so-called “reality” junk that fills the programming schedules. Can’t believe you replaced it with reruns. I don’t think you promoted it enough to give it a chance.
Chaos was fun to watch and I looked forward to seeing it. With the way the world today is going to the dogs it was something to look forward to that would make you smile and laugh at the end of the day. I am glad that iTunes picked up on the other remaining ten episodes. I am anxious to see when they reinstated Chaos. Actually lots of good shows have been cancelled by the major networks but were given an second chance and actually did quite well with cable TV. BRING CHAOS BACK.
I enjoyed Chaos very much and looked forward to watching, especially on a night when there is NOTHING on
I could not believe CBS cancelled CHAOS. This was one of the few, really good, new shows. And it just kept getting better and better. Fantastic ensemble cast of great actors. Loved the episodes and the writing – very clever and definitely entertaining scripts. This is one very rare show who’s cancellation really hurt / ticked me off. Maybe if CBS had M-A-R-K-E-T-E-D it or put it in a time slot where it had a chance, millions more would have tuned in. I hope one of the CABLE NETWORKS sees what the 583 commenters here saw in CHAOS. A great… Read more »
Chaos was AWESOME!!! I laughed at the funny parts and was intrigued by the intriguing parts I for one will definitely miss Chaos. I also like covert affairs, but I think Chaos was better… also Kurtwood Smith was an excellent choice for the role he played… CBS needs to bring this show back… I never missed an episode, i started wondering when the next episode was coming out, then saw on e of the actors do a cameo on my favorite lawyer show, SUITS another awesome show…(( btw.. Harvey’s hair ,better with the Gel..)) which prompted me to look for… Read more »
I agree with everything everyone else said. Chaos was a breath of fresh air & I kept looking for it .. CBS moved it to Saturdays & I thought “OK – they’re trying to beef up their weekend lineup.” I’m so disappointed to learn that they cancelled this good show & were just filling time. For what?? More reality show crap??? How dumb do they think we are, and are advertisers really going to go with crap shows? Like someone said, I guess I’m going to have to go to cable networks for good writing/good characters & good entertainment. CBS… Read more »