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! 
c b s – you screwed up BIG time with not bringing shark back you had a good thing going . you have no idea how many people enjoyed that show , but cbs your known for destroying not building. bring shark back, bring shark back, bring shark back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to agree, CBS cancelled Shark because it didn’t pull in their demographic but my wife and I both fit into that demographic they so greatly desire. We stopped watching CBS when they cancelled Shark, it was an intelligent and well written series that kept you guessing and thinking. We too are sick to death of these so called reality shows being force fed to us because Hollywood thinks they can spoon feed us that crap! Bring back Shark or give it to some cable channel and let them air it so they can give it a decent time… Read more »
Bring shark back pls.
It looks like the airheaded fake staged reality crap wins out over intelligence again. These morally vacuous twits are killing good programming.
Bring Shark back! I’m tired of so-called “reality tv” and the same episodes of Dancing with the Stars over and over again. I want something the requires an IQ! I’m tired of Hollywood “dumbing down” tv shows. I have news for you: the audience isn’t stupid! Let us enjoy something that is engaging.
Really stupid move shark was a great show. Stupid tv execs.. Very sad to see a great show go…
I am 26 and my husband is 34 and we watched Shark every single time it was on!! I’ve been looking for it ever since and didn’t know it was cancelled, very very dissapointed that they can have so many dumb reality shows but cancel a great show like this, maybe CBS should read these comments or maybe we should all boycot CBS until they bring Shark back!!!
What are you people thinking? I just had lunch with a group to 20 somethings and we were ALL trying to figure out where Shark went!?!? Mr. Woods they are all reaching to LOW in the TV gene pool to see quality!!
Seriously people ! ! ! Put down the pipe. Sorry to see you go Jimmy & friends. I quite enjoyed your show.
Sorry to see this show go. I really enjoyed it.
For my money, the “reality” shows are ridiculously rehersed. And frankly I just don’t give a damn about whom the networks think matter.
Logan
I am incredibly disappointed that ‘Shark’ has been cancelled. It is one of my all-time favourites. It is witty, intelligent, realistic and depicts relationships (particularly Sebastian and Julie) that many people can relate to. James Woods is amazing. I sincerely hope that the powers who make these decisions stop and re-think this one. Dumb move, CBS………
I am so angry and disappointed over this decision. These dull “reality shows” and other sitcoms/dramas being offered on your network are really uappealing to the more intelligent viewer. The ones who also watch MSNBC.
Maybe that is why I find myself watching more shows on TNT like “The Closer” and “Saving Grace,” AMC for “Mad Men,” and FX for “Damages.”
Please sell this winning series to one of those networks who understand what compelling and entertaining drama is all about.
I am really shocked , such of combination of smarts, humor, go get it, and get it done type show was one day canceled. Mr. Woods has been one my favorite stars and played the role to the “T”, I miss the show and for a guy like me who doesn’t care for dancing crap shows or reality dumb shows leaves me very little choices anymore THANKS CBS!!!!!!
Let’s write CBS to have to show return………..
Utter nonsense to cancel this show. Next to Criminal Minds, my absolute Favrioute. Entertaining, Twisted, Intelligent Phrases, Pretty People What more you want? Honestly, because the Audience is not young enough what bollocks’s excuse is that.
At least Shark, is somewhat closer to reality then other series and both sides win..How good that they do more and more Lost,24hrs you name it. Thank’s CBS for taking off at least one of the better shows.
Cancel Shark????? One of the few shows that I watched on CBS! I would rethink that decision if I were you.