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.
Unbelievable, with no preparation program shows up on CBS, it ends up being outstanding, with a fabulous cast and then it gets dropped. Maybe CBS should learn how to market a big hit series. We loose and they lost my time.
I love this show. There is nothing interesting to watch on Friday nights. I know I am in the minority, but I would like to have a good series on in the 8pm time slot. Terri is right, the show needs another chance. I would follow this show if it was moved to a better time slot. Please, give this show another chance.
I really liked the characters and humor of the show. I don’t know why the low ratings–though I don’t entirely trust the rating system. I wish CBS has aired a few more shows and given this show a chance. It’s too much of a one and done world.
Likewise, this show was finally a breath of fresh air on CBS. Enjoyed the first two shows and very sorry it was bumped from tonight’s time slot.
Dittos….Give it another chance!
I am going to miss Chaos! Now I am stuck with re-runs of CSI New York. Not a bad show but I’ve already seen it… Bummer CBS!
WHAT A BUNCH OF IDIOTS. PILOT SUCKED BUT SHOW TOOK OFF FROM THERE THEY DIDN’T ADVERTISE OR PROMOTE IT AND NEVER GAVE IT A CHANCE TO FIND AN AUDIENCE. WHAT GREAT SHOWS OF THE PAST FLOUNDERED THE FIRST FEW EPISODES OR EVEN BETTER PART OF SEASON BEFORE THEY TOOK OFF. IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW BUT SEEMS I HEARD SEINFELD, ALL IN THE FAMILY, HILL STREET BLUE A FEW THAT COME TO MIND. ABC JUST AS BAD DETROIT 187 GAT GOOD AFTER A FEW EPISODES BUT KEPT GETTING BUMPED FOR ANY EXCUSE WAHT A GREAT WAY TO ;LOSE YOUR… Read more »
I liked this show very much, CBS didn’t even let the characters develop. the four of them are different but the personalities worked well together. COME ON CBS
You gotta be kidding…..put it on at 8 PM on Friday and expect good results?
I watched it once and then started the DVR to be sure we got it. We like the show…but not the time slot.
Give it a chance at another slot!!!
Disappointed it was pulled
I can’t believe I rushed home to watch Chaos and it isn’t on! Bring it back!!! If ratings were bad it was due to poor operations and marketing – try a different time slot if it’s ratings your after, instead of taking a series off that everyone that did happen to see enjoyed! Great cast and story line – I repeat – Bring it Back!!! Please
I was wondering why CSI NY was on instead of the show.
I can’t believe CBS would take it off after just three weeks. Frankly, I enjoyed the show a lot, and I can see a lot of others do too. The network just has to get it into the mainstream more — get it well known. Hopefully it will come back, because it’s one of the few things I look forward to in my week. I think to lessen the losses they should move it to a different time slot.
Hope it catches on in the near future.
I’m extremely disappointed that CBS dropped this show! It was awesome and I’ve been waiting all week for it. The cast was excellent, characters were extremely likable, so what the heck was wrong with it!?!? Please give it another station to survive on, I want to see more!!
I really enjoyed this show! It was great on Friday night,something different than medical,this medical that!!
I don’t think they gave this show a chance. Only saw one episode and really enjoyed it.
VERY DISAPPOINTED!!
Give it another chance!!
I liked this show too! I watched all three shows and now am searching for it and what do I get CSINY! They cancell all the shows I like!