Photo: Patrick Harbron/CBS
Why did CBS just cancel most of their new TV shows? Recently, network boss Kelly Kahl spoke with Deadline about the decision to cancel Broke, Carol’s Second Act, Tommy, and God Friended Me.
With the exception of God Friended Me, which wrapped its second season this spring, all the shows cancelled debuted during the 2019-20 season. CBS also cancelled Man with a Plan, which is currently airing its fourth season.
Speaking to Deadline, Kahl revealed it was a “tough” decision to cancel Broke, God Friended Me, Carol’s Second Act, and Tommy:
At the end of the day they weren’t doing the numbers we were hoping for, and despite liking them creatively, knowing timely decisions were upon us, we had to make tough calls to move on from those shows. You want to keep them all for another season; that’s what makes these calls tough. You invest a lot of time and effort and people put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into these shows, and when you have to say goodbye. It’s a tough call.”
What do you think? Did you watch any of CBS’ cancelled series? Would you have watched another season?
Tommy was a great show! I loved it! I am very angry that it was canceled without even giving it a chance. I would definitely have watched it for another season. Storylines were riveting and dealt with real life problems. The acting was terrific. Bring it back!!!
No, not Tommy! I love this program. What a great cast with such chemistry. Great episodes and how awesome to have a female lead. Too bad Tommy isn’t being renewed for another season. With the exception of Mom, there are no shows I find worth watching on CBS. At one time it was my primary network to watch.
Every time I like a new show that’s the one to go. It. Was a nice change a female Chief. Many police show now on are men chiefs. A change would be good and what about the story line would like to see where it would go. The acting was good maybe you need new writers who I bet are all men. Look what they did to Tommy, trying to get those men in charge again. It would be fun seeing those corrupt men go down. Oh, I’m not gay just like to see the underdog win for a change.
Finally a program on CBS with strong, Female lead – Tommy – and a really outstanding show. And CBS cancels it. I don’t get it. Very disappointed. One of the few shows on CBS that I watched.
I’m really pissed they cancelled Tommy. It used to be they’d give a new show a chance. Now, it seems they cancel them as soon as they start. I was looking forward to more seasons of Tommy. This show really got even better as it went along. And yet they still keep **** shows like The Bachelor on the air. C’mon. Give Tommy another chance, please!!!
I think canceling Tommy is a HUGE mistake! It has a great story line with many twists. They should keep it for one more season to watch the ratings go up.
God Friend Me was uplifting and well done, one of the few shows that valued helping others and examined themes of doing the right thing while telling a good story. The ONLY show I watched every episode. Tragic to have it cancelled, probably for another mindless comedy or cop show. It will be missed and I am very unhappy with CBS
I watched 4 of the shows that CBS cancelled (God Friended Me/Tommy/Broke? and Carol’s Second Act) and I believe they all deserve to stay on the air. There is nothing on network TV anymore but news shows/game shows/ and reality shows and they do not get all that many viewers anymore but I am sure they are cheaper to produce and that is why the networks keep them and get rid of real television shows.
I love Tommy and man with a plan and broke and God Friended me.You cancel good show’s but continue to air stupid show’s like big brother, survivor,why???
Obviously because people watch the shows you don’t like and don’t watch the shows that you do. At a macro level, it’s not really that hard of a concept.
I agree 100%. God Friended Me was a show I really looked forward to. It was a sweet show with believable well-conceived characters.
Why would anyone with any sense cancel “Tommy”? Not only is it consistently interesting and well acted, but it touches on so many “hot spots” in our culture in provocative yet non-threatening ways.
Why cant they just try and give new shows a chance? If Bonanza and Gunsmoke wasn’t given a chance, they would have been cancelled after the first season. Did you know that their ratings were really bad their first year? Give new shows a chance. I liked Tommy and Broke, thought they had a chance, but CBS, NBC,ABC and other stations want their gratitude (i.e. money) RIGHT NOW. To heck with what people want to see, they want their money NOW.
How do you think television works? The first season is the chance that these shows get. If they aren’t making money for them now then they probably never will as most shows tend to lose viewers as seasons go on, not gain them.
Very disappointed Tommy was cancelled.
CBS does it again with their sorry excuse of canceling great shows like Tommy! This show was watched the ratings show it. CBS cancelled Man with a plan because so called money but yet it was a great family show. Tommy is an amazing that should be brought back. Look at Hawaii 5-0 cancelled CBS heard it then 10 season ended due to injuries to the Casey. Look CBS the ratings of 18-49 are bull people younger as well over 49 watch these shows. I mean come on Blue Bloods is again brought back while ratings were lower than Tommy!… Read more »
Tommy was a good show it deserves a second season good writing and good actors and actresses
I weould’ve watched God Fiended Me fevery week for the rest of my life, 52 weeks a year!
Our family, too!