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.
We really liked the show and hope they bring it back!!!!
I loved CHAOS! I am 70 years old and I found the show delightful and entertaining. I liked the characters and the plots. What is wrong with TV execs when they keep adding inane reality shows or celebrities making fools of themselves for more money than they need and they let a quirky fun show like CHAOS go. Damn fools.
My husband and I have really enjoyed this show. It reminds me a little of Get Smart only not as dumb. If CBS doesn’t want it I hope another network will pick it up.
Great show!! Probably got zip ratings because there was little if any promos!!!!
CBS has some REAL trash on the air, so why they would can this show is beyond me!!!!
I really, really like this show. I am recommending it to other people. I like the cast of characters and the chemistry on screen. It could be one of those shows that I get to love but I don’t have a chance if it truly gets canned. CBS cut the crap and put it back on the air!!!
I really enjoy this show. give it a chance, CBS. here’s a thought – swap it with Survivor and see how well Survivor does in the Friday time slot. and I’ll have 3 straight CBS nights in a row – Monday (except for the awful Mad Love) all the way, Tuesday 8 – 10 and all Wednesday. now if you’d put Big Bang Theory BACK on Monday, where Mad Love is now, you’d have me all Monday too.
I think that this was an AMAZING show! It was filled with humor and fantastic plots! I can’t believe they are canceling it!! it makes me sooo sad! I was going to stop recording other shows to make room for this one! geesh sad panda!
I also liked this show a lot. We don’t generally go out Fridays so I look forward to the shows leading up to Blue Bloods. I liked this show and was particularly fond of the ‘team.’ Networks do this all the time and many of these have been shows I liked. Most recently Fox’s Human Target looks like it won’t be coming back. They cancelled The Black Donnelys after one season. Rubicon was also cancelled after one season so in my house we aren’t watching Mad Men any longer because it’s the same network. Aside frim that Mad Men has… Read more »
CBS doesn’t deserve this show, it is too good for their “Reality TV’ viewers. They should give the rights to someone like USA, I have been watching more and more from that channel every year. Back to streaming Netflix or catching up on my DVR on Fridays.
Bring this show back. I didn’t find it til episode three and I LOVED it!!! I even went online to see the ones I missed. It’ll be a shame if CBS doesn’t give it a chance.
I was so upset when my DVR didn’t record it last week, I can’t believe it got such poor ratings. It was nice to have a break from cop shows and “reality TV”.
I saw it once and thought what a great, quirky show! Excellent cast and chemestry was good between characters. Made me chuckle. Looked forward to next episode and it had disappeared.
This show had no real time slot so it was doomed. Too bad. Once again, I loved this show — I wish they would have given it a chance.
I agree…Bring it back. It’s quirky, fun and well written. It pops and keeps you on your toes…on second thought maybe it would be better on FOX.
I agree 100% with Penny. Please don’t cancel Chaos! Three aired episodes is not enough to give this show an opportunity to gain a fan base. I personally think the cast has great chemistry and running all 10 episodes will give them the chance they deserve.
And I agree with Geraldine!!
Bring it back – I really like this show! Chaos has a lot of potential and really is a nice change from all the other shows on TV. It’s a great show. CBS – DON’T CANCEL CHAOS!
Please tell me other people have caught on to the wonderful quirky fun — yet adventuresome TV show Chaos. Give it some time and some publicity. I found it by accident and loved it! Someone has got to get a grip. Who makes these rash decisions anyway???????