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! 
Another fantastic show cancelled due to age discrimination.
So sad. We all loved Shark. The cast was great! Should have never been canceled
I am saddened by the cancellations if this Show. I think it is an excellent Show and should have season 3. Please bring the Show back
I loved season 1…the first episode of season 2 when they brought in a younger guy that was getting a lot of air time, I wasn’t enjoying it as much… but by 2nd or 3rd episode of season 2, the young guy settled down and was actually quite good and they gave Woods back majority of air time , I was loving it again… I really wished they had many more seasons…
Season 2 definitely was not as good as season 1… season 1 was more James Woods…. he’s the clever one, he’s the smart one, he’s the interesting one… the younger guy you brought in season 2 does a lot of screaming, not an interesting Character … I guess that was meant to get that younger audience… the vibe changed season 2…
Love James Woods… he is so watchable… he’s addictive to watch… the new guy they brought in second season is no good, he too over the top…
… Woods always needs to be the focus… Woods is the engaging, clever, interesting character… and the comment below, I agree with… way are you always going after 18-45 , they don’t have money or time!…
Cancellation of this series was a travesty. Do any of the network big cheeses take the time to become invested in any of the great shows they so hastily toss aside? We, as adults, are starving for intellectual entertainment. It’s not always about kids. Just follow the money!
Why are these networks after younger viewers? Who has the money to buy everything advertised on TV, me at 50, or a 20 year old? I own a Lincoln, a Shelby GT 350, 2 trailers, 3 houses, and am planning a 10 day cruise to Alaska… Again. My point is not to boast, but to make a point. We as the, “Older” demographic who Can buy these things are discarded, though we buy most of what’s sold. I don’t get it.
We loved shark and cant believe it was taken out. JamesWood is such a stinker. I watch the series over and over again.
Would love to see it pop up again
I started watching SHARK on Hulu. Watched it because of James Wood and like him. Loved it from the get go and again I am in awe of the individuals that cancel shows that don’t capture the younger audience.
Being one of the older generation that has purchased homes (paid). Has 401ks. Take cruises, Vegas Trips. Just because there are millions like me we are continually over looked and disrespected by CBS, NBC, ABC and other stations by the college educated idiots that make the decisions.
2017 now and Shark back on tv. Terrific. James Woods is great in it. Shelved,what!! Bring it back!
please bring Shark back you,ll be happy you did.
Shark is an amazing show. Please bring back
Please bring shark bk its fantastic I watch in the UK and have them on repeat please bring it back
I’ve only got to watch this series through True TV on the freeview channels. I can’t believe that there is only 2 seasons!!! I’m gutted. It was brilliant. I thought it was just getting started. What are they doing? They did this with The Transporter Series as well. Why keep cutting great series, after great series?? Don’t bring stuff back after 15 years, carry on with great stuff that is on NOW!!!!
I miss it. Loved this series. I knew it was in trouble when it started moving time slots. What makes me mad when they cancel series, you gwt no closure. Can we make a 2 hour movie with this? On a side note, Jeri Ryan is hot. That is all.