CBS has decided to cancel Shark after two seasons on the air. What killed the series?
Shark debuted on September 21, 2006 and stars James Woods as Sebastian “Shark” Stark, an arrogant and cutthroat prosecutor. The TV show did pretty well in its first season on CBS. It ranked 24th for the season with an average of 13.7 million viewers. The one downside was that the show’s viewers tended to skew older. But, in a season littered with prematurely cancelled drama series (Smith, 3 lbs., The Nine, etc.), the show’s ranking and survival was an impressive achievement. The series was renewed for a second season.
Season two kicked off on Sunday, September 23, 2007. In that 10pm timeslot, Shark had to compete against ABC’s popular Brothers & Sisters and consistently lost in total viewers and the all-important 18-49 demographic.
Like most shows, Shark’s production schedule was interrupted by the writers strike. When the strike was over, production resumed and four more episodes were created. After a long absence, new episodes began airing in late April. In the show’s new Tuesday night timeslot, it was easily beaten by ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen in both total and 18-49 viewers.
The show’s chances for a third year were still up in the air until just recently. Ultimately, the combination of Shark’s inability to attract younger viewers, the writers strike, and CBS’ excitement over its new dramas is likely what led the network to cancel the series.
Woods tells the LA Times that the cast and crew were “very saddened” by the news but were trying to stay positive. He continues, “We’re a little baffled by the decision but we’re very supportive… None of us can figure out quite why. But we have no bad feelings. This show did an enormous amount for me personally. We all won doing the show.”
>The current season, cut short by the writers strike, is made up of only 16 episodes. Shark’s series finale is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20th. It’s unlikely that the episode will offer any kind of closure for the series. Stay tuned! 
This sucks man. I loved that show. Why get rid of a really good show?
You know tv has been taken over with all these reality shows which suck by the way i think the only reality show i like was the hills and i dont watch that too much but this man rocks he gets things done and u guys suck for taken this show off the tv even if u have to play it late at night i got dvr i will watch it and watch it give us shark back
What shark was cancelled what the heck man!!! How can u leave me hanging like this peeps who cares bout a bunch clebs dancin its stupid and just plumb crazy i could careless how they dance its not important. I like hells kitchen but i havent watched it in a long time but shark i love shark he is the man i wanna find out whats gonna happen to him and his daughters boyfriend blah blah blah gimmie a break peeps why must all the good shows hafta be gone im a young generation and i love it i just… Read more »
WTF.. this show was the only show i trully was hoping to see each week. CBS you all are a bunch of donkeys. Dancing with the stars is for girls and *********** .. Unbelievable. YOu guys should bring that show back in the next year or so..
So sad….good shows are cancelled and we are left with reality shows….no creativity or thinking involved. My boyfriend (33) and I (58 – yes 58), both loved Shark and looked forward to it each week.
The writer’s strike really put the shaft to many shows……we’ve been waiting for a year and a half for the return ot 24!!
Thank you, Mr. Woods and your entire cast, crew and writers……a GREAT show!
I think it is a shame that shark was cancelled . It is not like CBS has a lot of good programs now. Instead of always wanted to please the younger I would think CBS would want to please the older ground also. It is the older ground who has the money to pay for the programs that are offered on TV. Please reconsider Sharks future!!!
As a radio-marketing consultant I find it amazing how some business executives look at Arbitron and Nielson Ratings as the only way to measure the viability of a shows success. Mail out a sample survey and expect the listener/viewer to accurately list all shows that were listened to or viewed, and after the return of the survey compile “accurate” market trends. Here is a novel idea – FOLLOW THE MONEY – if advertisers are supporting a program could you imagine advertising in that particular show might actually work for them. Continue to base programming on a small sample that is… Read more »
Just where was this 18-49 demographic polled anyway, the mid west? Who says they are the ones who should decide what the rest of us should watch. Why do you cancel something with substance and makes your brain work, rather than the mindless twaddle that is being shown as “sitcom”. What has happened to the writing power of the staff of these shows. No wonder the younger set is less on the IQ scale, they don’t get it in school and now stupid shows like “worst week” and “Gary unmarried” bump out the shows that amount to something. Dancing with… Read more »
I think it is a shame this show has been cancelled. It, along, with Without a Trace, and Cold Case are the only CBS shows I watch. Just for the record, my husband and I are in that 18-49 age group.
..and im still 23 by the way
im a great fan of Shark from the Philippines. I JUST WISH THE EXECUTIVES CHANGE THEIR MINDS AND PUT THE SHARK BACK TO DOING WHAT IT DOES BEST-WIN! and in my perspective, he has won a lot of viewers, enough to stay for a while at least. law students especially learn a lot not only of his legal skills but his exemplary way of showing that you still can compromise with the situation and yet hold on to your principles. PLEASE PUT THE SHARK BACK!
I do not understand the logic of CBS. My husband and I love shark and we are in the 14-45 age group. Putting a show which you know is not rated #1 in a time slot against the #1 rated show …… Did you want to cancel the show?!?!?
I do wish you would reconsider your choice to cancel the show as there really are very few “hits” this season and TV watching is getting very very difficult.
Shark was a great show and my family was looking for the continuation o the series. All of the acting and drama was far better than most shows aired on the national networks and cable channels.
I believe Shark struck a nerve somewhere, and for others it was probably the first time people had to think critically about the real judicial system.
Hello, i am from argentina and i ve been watching Shark, and I think that it is a very good show and it doesn t deserve to be cancelled. I ll miss it a lot, and i ll remember it as long as i live. I think that CBS is making a wrong decision. Thanks to the cast of Shark for bringing us and amazing show.
I’m 16 years old, and I loved Shark very much. Please bring it back.