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CBS made some difficult decisions when it came to cancellations this season. MacGyver, All Rise, The Unicorn, and NCIS: New Orleans have ended or will end this month, and Kelly Kahl, the president of CBS Entertainment, spoke about what went into the decisions to cancel all four shows, per Deadline.
MacGyver and NCIS: New Orleans (which airs its finale this weekend) have both aired on CBS for several seasons, and fans were surprised when the news broke about their cancellations. Kahl said the following:
“Every year you evaluate what is making the strongest statement for your schedule and what gives you the best circulation, what will bring you the most numbers of viewers. You ask that question for pretty much every show every year, how can we make the schedule as strong as we can in the fall, and that leads to some tough decisions. MacGyver has been an excellent show for us, New Orleans was an excellent show for us. But sometime shows hit the end of their cycle and we have to, in some cases, say goodbye.”
As for All Rise and The Unicorn, both aired for two seasons on the network. Kahl said the following about their cancellations:
“We creatively love both shows, it’s literally a numbers game on the schedule, and it’s a number game when it typically comes to getting a renewal. I think these shows were not living up to the potential in terms of an audience that we hoped to see in their respective time slots.”
What do you think? Did you want to watch more of these four TV shows on CBS? Which cancellation surprised you or upset you the most?
All Rise was a great program. CBS made a mistake canceling.
ALL RISE is a wonderful show – a little laugh and some seriousness- really great – shame on CBS for cancelling it. One of the better shows that are on TV right now.
AND – NCIS- New Orleans -really ? What a disgrace that CBS cancels another good show. VERY DISAPPOINTING
I’ve really enjoyed the ensemble cast of ALL RISE, the scripts have been a little all of the place with cast relationships. But, the courtroom cases remain viable and on trend with current topics of concern. I am VERY disappointed that CBS has elected to cancel this show!
CBS wants people to watch their station, and yet you get rid of show we like. I thought Mom would struggle after Anna Farris left. But the reality is that it is just as funny now. CBS is putting profit first and foremost. SHAME ON YOU! Keep canceling shows your customers like and you are not going to have a following! The customer is always right.
Agreed, and they’re canceling good shows & replacing her with chunky programming. Renewing terrible shows that you never have been for another seasons which shows it should’ve been canceled and never renewed.
I really can’t believe CBS has canceled NCIS NO, MacGyver, and All Rise. Every time my family starts liking a show you guys have to find a reason to cancel them. For example Code Black, Hawaii Five 0, Mom just to name a few more. Looks like you would try just moving the air time or night they air rather than just canceling them. CBS used to bed the best network to watch now all they do is just make their viewers watch a different network. Thanks for considering what your viewers want to watch….oh that’s right you don’t!!!!!!!
To be fair Hawaii Five O ended because the stars wanted to leave and it had been what 10 seasons? So that got a fair shake, some of the cast left and the big stars decided it was time. It at least got a real ending because they knew it would be the last season before they started filming. MacGyver, All Rise, Code Black, and NCIS NO all got the rug pulled out from under them and screwed over the fans and cast alike. CBS can go **** itself.
Really hate that they cancelled Unicorn. It was one of the best adult comedies on right. It was very relatable and really funny.
Enjoyed NCIS NO but have missed LaSalle.
If it’s the message you are looking for then put the time in to promote these shows with substance. Yes numbers matter, but the work must be done to magic momentum and attention needed. Instead you add and replace with shows that appeal to the non-minority population. You don’t value the jewels you have in shows like those you’re cancelling. All Rise should have never been on the chopping block from the beginning. An outstanding cast and relevant but challenging topics we need to explore. The Pandemic put a damper on many productions and you could expect some declines in… Read more »
Sorry TV series with minorities have to perform just like any other show does. If they don’t they they get axed, and they don’t deserve special rules just for them. All Rise was absolutely promoted. I loved the show but the numbers weren’t good. Maybe if more minorities watched it, it would still be on the air. I hate CBS and what they do, especially not moving it to Paramount + like SEAL Team and Evil. But they can’t be blamed because what should have been the target audience didn’t support it. As for the pandemic it effected all shows… Read more »
I love MacGyver and like All Rise. I think that whatever teenyboppers don’t watch, out it goes. It doesn’t matter what the seniors want.
I think cancelling All Rise is consistent with the bigotry we’ve come to expect from CBS. This show highlights women and minorities in very professional capacities, yet it’s canceled. The main character of Bull was accused of sexual harassment and its renewed. I will no longer view programming on CBS and recommend my family and social media friends do the same because if we’re not singing and dancing or comedic, we are not shown on television.
Well said! These cancellations are absolutely ridiculous!
Gee maybe because not enough women or minorities watched it? Anyone who is upset it got canceled and blaming only CBS is wrong. Granted I hate CBS too, but it took a chance with a minority heavy series, it gave it 2 years, and the people didn’t show up in enough numbers to keep it on the air. Instead of blaming CBS solely, blame the target audience at least equally for not showing up. Minority led shows are and should be subject to the same scrutiny and performance standards as any other series. And for the record I loved All… Read more »
That’s a fair assessment; however, according to the article the All Rise did receive a 5% increase in viewership despite the decrease in the 18-49 target.
Yeah but the only problem is it doesn’t say if that increase in viewership put it ahead of other series that weren’t canceled or moved to Paramount+. Trust me I didn’t want All Rise canceled either and hope it finds life elsewhere, and MacGyver too for that matter.
We all agreed that CBS network screwed up? Yes
I love Scott NCIS NO liked all the characters/actors and had adjusted to the new characters. Missed our Alabama boy.
Very surprised and saddened about MacGuyver. My most favorite show that CBS had, and now it’s gone. If any show deserves a “save”, it’s thus one.
Love ncisno time to quit watching cbs
I am Very angered at the cancelation of McGyver and then comes the can cancelation of All Rise!! That made me even angrier! Both were great shows and a Lot better than a lot of the garbage that is kept!! Netflix should pick up both!! CBS should be ashamed!!
I’m just as angry about MacGyver & then All Rise being canceled. I thought CBS had the best line up in the last few years; now not sure. I get that shows need viewers, but Friday nights were never strong for any network so you should have lowered expectations for MacGyver & if Monday wasn’t working for All Rise, move it’s aired night. Cancelling was just wrong. I hope Netflix or Amazon, etc. pick them up.
I agree with you both!
Agree 100%. I just realized the caption said SERIES FINALE and not Season Finale for All Rise. I’ve been a Loyal watcher of Both McGyver and ALL Rise. I’ve been watching CBS TV Shows since 1968, with my now deceased Mom! This is not acceptable. QUALITY is what we want, deserve and need. These shows need to be picked up by some entity that will allow them to grow and flourish for many more years. Shame on you CBS.
CBS has made a terrible mistake cancelling “MacGyver”. We watch “Magnum PI” and “Blue Bloods” because they followed “MacGyver” and it made for a good evening of television. Not sure if we will continue watch CBS on Friday nights! VERY DISAPPOINTED with the decision. Maybe the show didn’t reach the end of its cycle but needed new writers???? PS: I have never written to a network complaining about a cancellation until now!
Bill I agree with you! Friday night TV lineup has been very enjoyable as compared to years of trivial disappointing sitcoms and others that lacked any plausible story lines. Looked forward to Friday night TV lineup with many talented actors after a long work week. Shame on you CBS
I thought NOLA and All Rise were great. I thought Lucas Till was a little young for MacGyver and Unicorn had to go.