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.
Also, why were people thinking that The Good Wife was cancelled? Was it originally on the list? At least they made a good choice by renewing it. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned that I like Gary Unmarried because it looks like that show was cancelled. I should find a recap of the last episode to see what I missed. It looks like they might be keeping their Wednesday “Happy Hour,” as it was originally called, but I’m not sure yet. Also, why don’t they air reruns of cancelled shows during the summer? That would help people who haven’t seen all… Read more »
@Adam Decker: Not sure why people started worrying about Good Wife. Gary Unmarried could go either way. They’ve finished airing all of the episodes for this season. That’s why it’s not on the air right now. Some networks do run reruns/unaired episodes of cancelled shows during the summer to get some use out of them. Others don’t because they have other programming and consider cancelled shows ancient history. Sad but they’re looking at things from an economic standpoint mostly.
The shows I love are: Cold Case (The best crime drama since Cagney & Lacey), Medium, Criminal Minds, NCIS (the original) and CSI (the original and with “Sarah” and “Grissom”). Ghost Whisperer blew it by killing off Jim then having him essentially steal a body and then skip 5 yrs to the future – totally insulting viewers intelligence. If they dont work where they are you’ll have plenty of slots now to try other nights or times. I think Cold Case always got a bum rap being on Sunday nights constantly affected by the football season and if Medium were… Read more »
I think Ghost Whisperer forgot why we watch. I hated the story line with Jim dying and almost stopped watching it. They seem to be picking it up, maybe if Gary Unmarried is canceled they can bring back the professor. He provided wonderful comic relief. I think this happens a lot. Shows do need to evolve but they can get way off base. Maybe they could do like Dallas did in the 80’s and last season was part of Melinda’s dream. Still I Tivo it and hope it stays around. I just want to see it go back to good… Read more »
I guess unlike other people here, I only like two of these shows. I only saw Three Rivers once and would watch it more if I knew that’s when it would be on. But that show’s already cancelled. Gary Unmarried brings life to Wednesday Nights. But without that on, it would give me a reason to watch The Middle and see if that is any good. The only other show I watch on Wednesdays is Modern Family. If only Pushing Daises was still around. But I guess there’s nothing wrong with watching nothing on Wednesdays. I’m sorry I’m not thrilled… Read more »
I LOVE Accidently on Purpose!!!I think that it’s the funniest show ever, it’s so much funnier then half the shows that are on now.If it gets canceled there’s gonna be nothing to watch!
I agree bringing Joe back from the dead was the worst idea any writer has ever had. We all know that you only get one life but I am more than ready to over look it since he is Jim again. This show has many more stories to tell if it is given the time. I am sure that the rating will go up given time. Also I think they need a new line of thought. The darkness which is the light burns out of people is dumb. Go back and tell the stories of people who haven’t crossed over.
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CBS must be running out of ideas. How did the show 48 hours get its dumb name? The Big Bang Theory was better before Penny and Leonard got involved, because it was still a theory; plus she is so people-wise while the “geniuses” don’t have a clue (such a great story angle.) But, Old Christine plays the part of an idiot so convincingly. How I met your mother is another dumb name for a show where mothers seldom appear (or would even want to). Numb3rs has good compelling characters but a new angle is needed to perpetuate the premise. NCIS… Read more »
I LOVE COLD CASE, WITHOUT A TRACE, THREE RIVERS, THE ORIGINAL NCIS, AND THE CSI SHOWS. WHY THE HELL WOULD THEY CANCEL THIS. THE GOOD WIFE HAD GREAT PROMOTION, BUT IT HASNT KEPT MY ATTENTION, CHANGE THE NAME, GET RID OF THE HUSBAND AND JUILIANA MAY HAVE A CHANCE. I CANT STAND GHOST WHISPERER. JIM DYING, COMING BACK AS SOMEONE ELSE, THEN COMING BACK AS HIM, THEY HAVING A BABY AND THE KID GREW UP IN AN INSTANT. JUST TO RUSHED AND UNREAL. JENNIFER HAS GOTTEN BORING. I LIKED THE “TOUCH LIKE AN ANGEL” CONCEPT WITH DEAD PEOPLE. SHOW NEEDS… Read more »
I have always loved Ghost Whisperer; however since Jim’s death it has gone down hill. Killing of that character was STUPID! I am very disappointed in this season – can’t even seem to stay awake for an entire episode… 🙁 I hope it gets better because it was a great show with great characters.
I love Accidentally on Purpose & Three Rivers… I hope they stick around for a bit! Accidentally on Purpose makes me laugh EVERY time I watch it – truly I laugh out loud 🙂
I swear, if Numb3rs is cancelled, NCIS will be the only show that will be worth watching for me. Other than these two shows, I don’t watch CBS for anything great anymore. Sure CSI Miami, Criminal Minds, and MAYBE NCIS LA are good. But i’m not pulled to it like Numb3rs and NCIS. I love Numb3rs and that won’t change. Being only 14, it may sound like a hyberbole, but Numb3rs is one of the best shows i’ve ever seen in my life! PLEASE GOD!! DON’T LET THEM CANCEL MOST THESE SHOWS! THEY’RE REALLY GOOD!!!
three rivers love the show look forward to it on sundaynites after amazing race and cold case at first i was upset because the unit was my favorite show on tv but i gave three rivers a chance and love the show acting is first rate they seem like real doctors in real situations it deserves a longer look and better advertisment dont give up on it every time i like a new show this is what happenends first rate cast great writers thank u 4 letting me voice
NCIS: LA should not be allowed to be associated with the NCIS name, its a horrible show and should get the axe, it makes no sense and NCIS fans do not relate.
The Good Wife is my favorite show. Why they would cancel this is beyond me. I stay up an extra hour just to watch it. It’s tenor is totally different than other legal shows. Please CBS, do not drop this show!