Tonight, Numb3rs finishes off its sixth season with episode 118, “Cause and Effect.” Will the show be back next season? A decision hasn’t been made yet but lots of people are betting that it will be cancelled.
Numb3rs follows FBI Agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow) and his genius brother, Charlie (David Krumholtz), who helps the authorities solve cases with mathematics. The cast also features Judd Hirsch (as their father), Alimi Ballard, Dylan Bruno, Navi Rawat, Aya Sumika, and Peter MacNicol.
The series debuted in January 2005 and has long been a successful player for CBS on Friday nights. In season one, Numb3rs averaged a 3.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic and about 11.1 million viewers. They went up in season two, with an average of a 3.3 rating and 11.7 million viewers. Viewership has fallen since then however and last season, Numb3rs scored a 2.2 and 10.2 million.
This season, Numb3rs’ ratings have dropped further still — averaging a 1.8 rating and 8.26 million viewers each week. As a result of the decline in ratings, CBS (which is having a very good season) decided to cut back on the number of episodes and reduced their season order from 22 to 16 installments.
 Loading ... |
The official reason for the decrease is that CBS had too much programming and needed space to try out new series. Next week, Numb3rs’ timeslot will be occupied by a new show, Miami Medical.
CBS has maintained that the fate of Numb3rs hasn’t been decided yet but, considering the series’ production costs and ratings, it seems fairly certain that the show is done.
In fact, ABC and FOX are betting on it. The networks have already cast Morrow and Krumholtz in new pilots.
Morrow will star in a dramatic pilot called The Whole Truth for ABC, opposite Joely Richardson. He’ll play a fiercely competitive and successful defense attorney who is close friends with his equally talented courtroom adversary (Richardson). Whole Truth is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
Meanwhile, Krumholtz has been cast in a comedy pilot for FOX called Tax Man. The project’s being produced by Ron Howard and stars Krumholtz as an IRS Agent who’s trying to find nobility in his work. Judy Greer recently joined the cast.
If CBS does decide to bring Numb3rs back for another season, both Morrow and Krumholtz will be obligated to return. However, the other networks wouldn’t cast them in new pilots unless they felt it was a very strong possibility that Numb3rs would indeed be cancelled.
What do you think? Would you like to see Numb3rs return for a seventh season or is it time to say goodbye to the Eppes?
Image courtesy CBS.
….and those two online pettitions are a waist of time as they never are seen or get into the hands of the powers that be.
Even writing letters to Nina Tasler, the head of The network is a waste of time.
More along,nothing left to see.
I’m hoping “Hawaii 5-0” gets the Friday at 10pm slot. 🙂
The show is as good as dead – the only reason it hasn’t been offcially cancled is CBS is holding it to the wire in the event 99% of their hour-pilots suck!
“Hawaii 5-0” and “Criminal Minds 2” are almost a given
I love the show, however I watch it on “On Demand” by Comcast. I can watch it when I want and there are no commercials. What are the numbers for people that watch the show like that? Keep NUMBERS!!!
I have gotten tired of some series I really used to like, but Numbers is still a hit for me. There is terrific chemistry between the actors that even some good shows just don’t have. Instead of cancelling why not just improve it a little. The last episode really left different ways to go with the story line and characters.
Don’t take away one of the most interesting and unusual series on T.V. It is among my favorites
This show was fantastic, and applied math to boot. One more season at least
I am very sad that the Series is over with, but if there is any possibility for the show to make a return for another season (or two or more would be very awesome), then I say to the CBS Executives that make the programming decisions, PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN!
CBS should at least order 13 more episodes to give it a real ending.
The show Friday night was promoted as a season finale not series finale.
So, avid viewers will be expecting it to return.
Nielsen ratings are ANTIQUATED and not reflective of current technology and viewing habits.
I fully expect more reality TV, drivel…
Hell No! Dont cancel such a quality show, I only watch Numbers, Ghost Whisperer, Medium, All the CSIs and NCIS
This has been the ONE show I have double-checked my TiVo recording schedule to be certain it would be recorded. I LOVED the 3-prong approach: action FBI show with clues to follow etc; math expositions to give ~just enough~ to either let us understand OR recognize that we, as a society, should appreciate mathematicians (even basic weirdo cosmic ones like Larry); and the most powerful idea of all – ALWAYS end the show with a brief, meaningful (real & believable) scene of FAMILY affection and the complex, human events that challenge everyone in the real world. This show has been… Read more »
I have this series on a series record through DVB-T broadcasts, along with NCIS & Criminal Minds.
B ring it back. It is a great, thought provoking show. And love the family dynamics. How sad it escapes the normal low thinking public – it actually has something to say. How unusual.
It felt like a series finale when I watched it…..But the show hasnt worn out its welcome. I vote keep this on the air for a few more seasons and explore more ways to teach kids and parents alike to use their minds instead of violence. A show that emphasizes education and morality should always be welcome. Enough with glorifying people who think they can talk to the dead and lets keep on the smart shows and maybe even create a few new ones!! With all the mindless “reality” tv on the air cant we find room for some real… Read more »
Congratulations and thank you to the entire group of people involved in this series. The relationship within the family unit was actually realistic. The creators of this series and the writers deserve a “job well done.” This small group of actors has put together a fine show where characters are welcome people in our homes. Unlike so many shows that are abusive in tone and shrill in their presentation, we were lucky to actually have had Num3ers for so many years. I for one have been entertained and interested in both the character issues and the how math does in… Read more »
Wow!!! I can’t believe CBS is contemplating cancelling yet another great show; this blows. I’m done with cable tv. I will not be donating my tv to Goodwill.