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! 
Something else I want to say: How talented do you have to be to entertain “younger” audiences anyway? Younger audiences wouldn’t get into Shark because everyone on the show are true professionals with REAL TALENT!!! I applaud the entire cast. Reality shows? Take American Idol: No one over 30 so they’ve got “children” singing mature songs unconvincingly and being judged for it. Britain’s Got Talent: no age limit and the ones with REAL TALENT are well over 30. Younger audiences only appreciate physical appearances, and imitating one another. They all want to be in music videos!!!!!!
My GOD – what is wrong with these so called know-what-the-people-want execs??? A younger audience?? The content of this show was way too mature and intellectually stimulating for that target audience. What’s wrong with catering to ADULTS??? Face it, there’s too much “competition” in mindless programming which is targeted for…..you guessed it, a younger audience. I TRULY LOVE THIS SHOW!! Everyone from Ms Danielle and Sophina, to Mr. Henry and ultimately James Woods….everyone gave believable performances and I REALLY enjoyed watching them work. I’m sick of everything geared towards “younger” audiences.
I was looking to see if/when Shark would be back (I loved that show!) and couldn’t believe they canceled it. Why??? If the time didn’t work, move it. I’m so sick of some of the reality stuff. Shark was well written and a good show. I agree with other comments — why does my vote to keep Shark not count???
I had not liked James Woods as an actor, but I loved him in this show. The relations between the actors were great. My husband even stayed up for this show and he gets up really early. What can we do to get this show back?
My husband and I LOVED this show and kept waiting for it to start up again…I finally decided to look into it!!
I agree….BRING BACK SHARK!!! One of my absolute favorites! We love you James!
I loved Shark. James Woods was such a wonderful addition to primetime and the cast was dynamic as well. I was anxiously waiting for season three and heard it was canceled. Why are all of the quality shows canceled and crappy ones that make no point are kept on? Can we please bring this show back?? I loved the storylines and the drama and it made for wonderful viewing. Can anything be done to resurrect the
“SHARK”?
shark is much better than many other boring shows which are still on. James wood is fantastic!!
I was wondering what happened to Shark. So I looked it up. I have yet to understand why good shows are cancelled and some of this reality crap is shown.. This show was great! TIme slot was terrible. I had to tvo it and watch it later. I also know at work we talked about this show during the week. I would love to know how who watches this shows is decided. I never got to vote…
What’s wrong with CBS Shark is great my friends and I watch it all the time, my brothers as well and we are in school, AKA: YOUNG, they should bring a third season and try to chose other schedule, it is a great serie. And by the way the last episode was not a good ending for such a great serie, people learn to work with the writers and know the viewers FOR GODS SAKE.
right..we will do a strike for Shark!!!
James Wood just GREAT..
Bring Back Shark!!!
I live in the UK and really enjoyed watching Shark. So sad that there’s no season 3. .Im 24 and I simply loved it!
Please bring back Shark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring back Shark we need shows for adults to watch not that garbage that is on all the time now.
BRING BACK SHARK!
Great show,Great cast,great charactors.What a shame.Shark was a great change up to CSI and Law &order…I was really looking forward to this season,cannot get over the cancelation.Hey! maybe the exce,s will put on another reality show,Lets call it…”Every one pick your cable channel”…oh! sorry thats already been done.Hope cbs geets all the “younger” people they want,after all they have all the income to spend on all the products cbs pitches….RIGHT!!!!…..GEE THE BACHELOR….CAN,T WAIT FOR MORE GREAT SHOWS LIKE THAT….(FINGERS DOWN THROAT)…GAG ME