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 thought this show was great. Intellectually challenging and kept you guessing until the very end. Then the next episode was even better. Dancing and Hell’s were temporary, let the show run or change the time slot.
We totally agree with all the above. We are now watching Series one again and it is just wonderful. We just LOVE James Woods and all the other characters. It’s really sad watching them doing other shows. BRING BACK SHARK! Funny, intelligent, exciting… the list of adjectives is endless
I loved Shark and James Wood, and the entire cast. I am not shocked at all about this! After still standing was cancelled which was the funniest tv show on the air I knew I would be watching CBS less and less, NOW I DONT WATCH IT AT ALL!!! CBS always gets rid of their great shows and leaves on the crap. Hello ABC and NBC Im back!!!
Some other show meaning popular power house show.
My wife & I watched this show every single week. We fall into the age category but yet some how don’t register? James made this show exciting to watch. The chemistry between him and the other actors was great. This show requires some what of an IQ to watch which is what reality shows don’t have. Maybe CBS should poll to see just how many people want this back. Don’t put it up against some other show. I did not like the new time slot that was chosen. I liked the original that is came out with.
Shark was my favorite TV show. i would love for another season or two or more, return. James Woods was a natural, for that part. i saw him on Jay Leno, i could see
why the part was so good for him. it was playing his nature. that makes for a great actor.
thanks, hurry back with more Shark
COOL. nice to see how you all care for tv series SHARK… Indeed JAMES WOODS is a great outstanding american actor, (heart, brain, motor, let’s say : the STAR) of SHARK. Unfortunately Mr Woods himself was not sure – recently – to wish to re-start tv series SHARK, deciding CBS to put an end to the show. So stop bitching CBS…
LAUREEN, Beverly Hills ca
I forgot to mention in New Zealand we eat SHARKS Maan….
Hey maan…what happend to SHARK !!! Bring back my Bro the SHARK..
Really missing it.
This was such a great show and James Woods was a delight as usual…he was perfect for this role. One of the best shows I have seen in a long time…it will be missed.
I like shark! bring it back! damn it!
WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE NEW SAISONS TV SERIES SHARK AND GENIOUS ACTOR JAMES WOODS . VERY GOOD SMART SHOW MOSTLY DUE TO ACTOR JAMES WOODS. FORMER SHARK CAST SHOULD BE RENEWED, POOR BORING ACTING AS THE YOUNG ACTORS PLAYING THE STAFF OF SEBASTIAN STARK…OR WORST PANABAKER AS HIS DAUGHTER. GOD NO !
ANN LAUREEN DIXON
Shark was, for the most part, a very enjoyable show. Too bad crap sells in hollyweird, and good things die.
I love this serial and I’m very sad it stopped! Because it was a very funny serial so please bring back Shark! I Love James Wood!
PLEASE BRING BACK SHARK – HOW MANY REALITY SHOWS CAN (1) PERSON WATCH. THIS PERSON WATCHES NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!