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! 
I was waiting for some of my favorite shows to come back from “hiatus” or the new season or whatever they call it. Shark was right at the top of the list, along with Moonlight, New Amsterdam and several others. Needless to say, I was stunned to find out, by way of the internet, that they have all been canceled. Who makes these decisions? And on what basis do they decide? They are inundating us with these stupid reality shows!
James Woods has always been one of my favorite actors. Shark was great. Serious and funny at the same time.
It’s so maddening that networks cancel shows “just like that” with no closure. I want Shark back along with many others I’m sure!
Reality shows generally have a very low production cost. When their competitors, ABC and FOX, capitalizing on low costs mindless shows, I guess CBS executives figure why should they spend more money during this mindless time slot. It’s the bottom line, the American way!
the lawyer version of House… And now House is starting to have bad reviews WTH are we gonna watch now everything is reality-chea-crap shows…
WTH?! I can’t believe this !!! I’m a pre law student and shark was something a lot of us can relate to! I’ll be damned if I’m going to watch those stupid reality shows! Like every other 19-20 year old come on get real ! The network should really rethink this !
Shark was an awesome show. Like many that have alread posted comments this was one of only two shows that I would make every effort to see (the othe being American Idol). Too bad it was cancelled. Is there any hope of pressuring the network to put it back on again? And is season 2 going to be released on dvd?
I agree……. I looked forward to watching Shark, especially in the Sunday Night slot….. It was one of the 3 TV shows, along with CSI & CSI Miami, I tried to set time aside to watch… I was very dissapointed that it was cancelled…….
My husband and I are both disappointed this show was canceled. It was one of our favorites. After the Writers strike I realized shows that I waited to see each week were not on any more. Shark and also Cane. I cannot believe you would take shows off that actually had good actors and plot lines for these ridiculous Reality shows that I hate! And as far as the age thing goes what does it matter if I am 27 or 57? I’m NOT DEAD YET!!! I like to sit down and watch a good show and Shark was a… Read more »
I can’t remember being so disappointed in a show being canceled. Shark was one of my top 3 programs I watched during the week. James woods was outstanding in playing his part. The plots, storylines and dialogue alll blended well to produce a well acted out drama each week. Even my daughter age 20 would sit down and watch this show with me.Sorry I don’t buy the excuses for why the show was cancelled. This is why some of the major networks are falling behind the cable networks. I’m hoping that Mr. James Woods can perhaps do another series maybe… Read more »
Still wish you would bring Shark back. It was a great series, fantastic acting, great stories and very enjoyable to watch. James Woods deserves better from CBS. He is a terrific actor and kept us on the edge of our seats. Much better to watch than some of the other junk on television.
It was such a good show and the cast was great together, maybe if enough people complain they will bring it back………….
50 years of ”LAW & ORDER” but cancel ”SHARK”. Good thing this 65 yr. old still has EARL on Wed.
A show with intelligence, engaging plotlines, and the wonderful James Woods (who actually has acting skills) — and which sat in the #1 priority slot on my DVR — gets cancelled? I could care less about all these insipid reality TV shows — no one will remember them in years to come (yawn). But to see a performance by the quirky James Woods is something extraordinary and has merit unto itself. This time, TV execs got it wrong or mangled the schedule so badly it never got a chance.
I this it is BS that “Shark” didn’t attract young viewers! I’m 22 years old and I LOVED that show! I rather watch Shark over all the stupid sh** they call reality shows that is on TV now a days! Do us all a favor and air some good shows on CBS! BRING SHARK BACK!!!
I still can’t believe that Shark is really cancelled. WTF. What am I supposed to do now? Watch reality shows with the other mindless twits out there? Thanks but no thanks!!!!