CBS is having such a good year that they’re increasing their episode orders for some of their most popular shows, according to EW. The orders total 13.5 more hours of programming. In terms of total airtime, that’s the equivalent to ordering a whole new series.
This could mean a few less reruns for viewers… or that the network will be able to dump struggling shows even sooner.
CSI: Miami, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Two and a Half Men have all been given orders for two additional episodes each.
The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: NY, The Good Wife, and The Mentalist have each been given one more installment.
What about the rest? Are they in danger of being cancelled? Unless their ratings improve, many of them are.
Accidentally on Purpose — The sitcom just recently received an order for five more episodes. It’s not a full season order but a positive sign considering the show’s mixed ratings history. It could survive to see a second year but don’t expect any more than 18 installments for this season.
Cold Case — Last season, it was a toss-up between this show and Without a Trace. Cold Case won out but CBS execs may be regretting their choice. Last year, Cold Case averaged a 2.68 rating in the demo and 11.8 million viewers. This season, it’s lost much of its audience in the demo (1.94) and fallen to nine million viewers. Unless things turn around, this show will surely be cancelled. Show support page.
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Gary Unmarried — CBS renewed this series last Spring though the ratings didn’t mandate it. In season one, it averaged a 2.2 in the 18-49 demo. This season, Gary’s been averaging the same which isn’t great. It could be cancelled or it could survive if CBS stick with the Wednesday night sitcom block.
Ghost Whisperer — The Friday night drama is way down in the ratings this season. Last season, it averaged a 2.53 in the demo and 10.5 million in total viewers. This year, it’s dropped to a 2.06 rating and 8.36 million. It’s on shaky ground for sure and could be cancelled after this season unless it’s saved to add more episodes to its syndication package. Show support page.
Medium — The Patricia Arquette show was saved last season when NBC cancelled it. The deal happened because the show is co-produced in-house by CBS Television Studios and was making money in syndication. Its Friday night numbers are about the same as Ghost Whisperer’s and isn’t safe from the chopping block either. Show support page.
The New Adventures of Old Christine — CBS renewed this sitcom last Spring but the ratings weren’t great; 2.1 in the 18-49 demo. This season, it’s been averaging a 2.0. It could be cancelled but is co-produced by CBS and is more likely to survive so that there will be enough episodes for syndication.
Numb3rs — This is another Friday night show that’s been struggling this season. CBS has just cut its episode order for the season and it looks like a shoe-in for cancellation. Show support page.
Three Rivers — This Sunday night drama has been struggling in the ratings from the start. It isn’t expected to survive past 13 episodes. Show support page.
What do you think? Are any of the endangered shows worth saving?
Note: Some of the 2008-09 demo ratings listed were initially incorrect and have since been updated.
Image courtesy CBS.
Three Rivers is an excellent, intelligent show, and had a hard start with a lousy time slot up against major league Football. It has a great ensemble cast, a hopeful and philanthropic message and the stories are excellent, and not so procedural now with episodes showcasing the characters’ personal lives.
For pete sake give new shows a chance and stop falling back on reality shows and idiotic sitcoms that have no substance. We need good quality TV again, and this show needs to get a footing. Give it at least a season to get an audience.
I’ll be honest. I didn’t think I was going to like Three Rivers at first and I didn’t. But, I kept watching because of Alex O’Loughlin and I’m glad now I stayed with it. The last two shows have been really good. I look forward to watching it now that it’s starting to pick up on it’s main characters and give them some life.. It just has one problem. It’s on the wrong night! Having to contend on the same night with sports and a favored show on another channel is just not a good idea for a new, fledgling… Read more »
We love Three Rivers, it’s noble, touching, significative and helpful.
Specially, our love Alex O’Loughlin is in it.
Alex, you rock!!!
Three Rivers is an amazing show with a wonderful message and an extraordinary cast.
I believe Ghost Whisperer and Medium are both safe for 2010-2011 while Cold Case, Numb3rs, Old Christine, Three Rivers, and Accidentally on Purpose will most likely be axed.
My family and I just started enjoying Three Rivers since the season premiere. The talented actors are superb who are perfectly cast for their characters on Three Rivers. CBS, please give this fantastic cast ensemble on Three Rivers a chance to shine and tell their characters’ tender, exciting, emotional and compassionate stories with more episodes and another season. Three Rivers is a unique and a gem of a show this season on CBS, so refreshing and more interesting than the standard crime dramas!
Three Rivers is such a refreshing change from your regular programming, the CSI’s were great for a long time, but are starting to get old and tired, Love to watch the new shows, but they get cancelled way too soon, loved Close to Home, the Unit, Moonlight, all were a breath of fresh air, gone too soon, switch Three Rivers with the time slot for NCIS L.A. and see what happens.
I believe Three Rivers is a refreshing and inspiring new medical drama that deserves to stay on CBS, with its current excellent young actors who are perfectly cast for their roles. How many crime dramas can one watch on a daily basis? I am a loyal viewer of many of the crime dramas currently on CBS during the week, but Three Rivers is a fantastic, riveting and compassionate drama about the gift of life. The talented actors really tell intense, emotional, tender and heartfelt stories about the surgeons, the organs donors and the recipients in such eye-opening and inspiring ways… Read more »
save medium
the good wife is great
Three Rivers and its fantastic and gifted young ensemble cast deserve to remain on CBS. Given a difficult timeslot, Three Rivers continues to shine week after week. Each episode is better, more exciting and addictive to watch!
Three rivers is a show that must be saved. It received negative reviews before it ever aired and then has had to compete against sports on a Sunday night. Please give Three Rivers a fighting chance to show that its a program worth keeping.
It’s hard to start watching a new show only to have it canceled in it’s infancy. The networks never really give the new shows a chance to pick up an audience as they almost always put them in a bad time slot, like with Three Rivers… I am enjoying the show, but to hear that it will be canceled so early on….WTH are you all thinking… My friends & family are all die hard CSI fans (all 3) but we also enjoy MEDIUM, and GHOST WHISPERER…To cancel those two shows would lose a lot of viewers for the network….both shows… Read more »
I love Three Rivers and Alex O’Loughlin is awesome as Andy Yablonski. I hope CBS let a chance to Three Rivers to earn more viewers.
The Good Wife is GREAT!
Save Ghost Whisper
SAVE Medium
Mentalist is GREAT!
CSI Miami is #1
H needs to get some suits like Jane on the Mentalist.
Fits the body better.
Not old man pants.