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.
Bring it back. I loved the show! when I wasnt going to be home I would dvr it. It is a great show. A little more promoting wouldnt have hurt, I talk about it at work and most people have never even heard of it. It’s time for fewer reality shows, fewer CSI’s and more shows like Chaos!!
I loved Chaos! I liked all the characters and it was funny, yet serious.
CBS never really gives a new series a chance anymore. When it’s something new they think will really take off, they show it on it’s scheduled night and then show an encore in another time slot or on Sat.; and they promote the heck out of it. #1-They didn’t promote the heck out of this one. I saw very short promos during the commercials during other shows. #2-No encore presentations. And how is it exactly that you can say it’s a dud series after only 3 episodes? I think new series that start anytime other than September need at least… Read more »
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I found the show totally by accident. For those of us that do not have lots to do on Friday nights and after a long work week, just want to be entertained with something new and different, this show was perfect. I wasn’t sure if I would like the show at first , but after the pilot show….I would hooked. I really liked the fast pace and the characters. Since I liked the show, naturally CBS cancelled the show. What is the matter with CBS??? There are CSI shows every where you look…but after a while one CSI is just… Read more »
Total bummer. I love this show! Been a long time since I’ve waited each week for a show like this. Too bad these network execs only care about ratings and not what the fans like. I get it’s business but far too many great shows are canceled too soon.
As a former member of the Intelligence Community, I quite enjoyed “Chaos” and added it to my ‘favorite shows’ in the iP*d app for TV Guide. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed when search results came up nil on the schedule. Please bring it back (else I’ll just stream Netflix instead).
I looked forward for more Chaos, but now I got very disappointed due to its cancellation
Some of us viewers are seeking our CIA fix and have needed a fix since ALIAS ended. This show was no ALIAS (few are, IMHO) but it was entertaining and just enough to take off the withdrawals left when ALIAS ended. The action was good, the characters were good (LOVE the hottie Scottish dude. The missions were good and the lines were awesome. “my mission parameters” is classic. Maybe another network will pick it up.
I was reay likin this show…Rushed home to watch it Friday night to see I was cancelled, please bring it back to at least finish off the series… My wife even liked it and she generally only likes reality tv…Put it on a Tuesday it’d do better there!
Watched the premiere somewhat by default after Jeopardy and was really pleasantly surprised by the wit, depth and plot twists. Enjoyed it so much I ended up recording it for hubby to watch later as he wasn’t home. Was surprised at the ratings, but figured that was due to to poor day/time slot, though heard about bad reviews as well. I must admit the subsequent episodes didn’t quite hold the same level of entertainment, but certainly as good or better than a lot of other drivel offered. Wondered what happened last week and didn’t see it next week’s schedule, so… Read more »
I loved it! I am so disappointed it was canceled. Please reconsider!
Chaos is a refreshing comedy, it definitely has something different, a kind of burlesque. It’s a pity the show is cancelled : with time, it can conquer an audience worldwide (we really love it … and we’re in France).
But I’m not surprised, this seems to be the future of any good burlesque comedy, like “Gravity”.
CHAOS is just getting its’ momentum going. The first show was quick and funny and we want to get to know the characters. Now our family is rarely home on Friday evenings so DVR is our go-to. I hope they give it a chance. But then I miss Defenders too. We’re upper middle-class Hispanic with children. We are the people advertisers should be catering to. We’re loyal to brands and shop like mad in spite of high gas prices and economic downturns. But will you continue to make reality shows and cop shows that people who have no money watch?… Read more »
Chaos was one of the best new shows I have seen in a long time. I found it by accident. watched it, and loved it. A little more previews and advertising may have helped the ratings. Please bring it back or make the other shelved eppisodes available.
Please bring it back! I really enjoyed this show as something fresh and new. Come on CBS, take a chance! Or at least release the remaining shows to the web for us to watch. Please!!!
ya thats a good idea! I second this idea.