After being called the “worst new show of the season” by USA Today, the Ray Liotta series Smith has come up in first place. Unfortunately, not in the way the show cast, creators and fans would like. Smith is the first new show of the season to be cancelled, after just three episodes.
Smith starred film actor Ray Liotta as Bobby Stevens, a man leading a double life. During the day, Stevens plays a typical suburban family man while at night he’s an expert criminal who pulls off elaborate crimes with a crack team of thieves. Other series stars included Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker, Amy Smart, Johnny Lee Miller, Franky G and Chris Bauer. The series was the brainchild of ER creator Frank Wells.
Though CBS hasn’t “officially” cancelled Smith, the show has been pulled from the Tuesday night line-up and it’s not likely to return (especially as we enter the November sweeps period). The third episode garnered a low 8.4 million viewers, a significant loss from the number of viewers that watched the episode of The Unit that aired before it. Smith garnered a decent 11 million viewers at its debut on September 19, 2006 (nearly tying Boston Legal) but, has been losing viewers each week since. Networks know that when that “slide” starts, it’s unlikely to reverse itself.
For the immediate future, CBS will air a rerun of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in Smith’s place on Tuesday, October 10, 2006. Repeats of Criminal Minds will take the slots on October 17th and 24th. No word if CBS will “burn off” the four unaired episodes of Smith but at this point, it looks unlikely. All mentions of Smith have been deleted from the CBS homepage (though you can still reach the Smith pages here.).
CBS will debut the new 3 lbs. series in Smith’s old space starting on November 14, 2006. The Stanley Tucci show was supposed to debut as a mid-season replacement series but has been moved up. The House-like show centers on the relationship between a rising-star brain surgeon (played by Mark Feuerstein) and a brilliant but unpredictable surgeon (Tucci). The network is reportedly pleased with how 3 lbs. is looking and has just ordered four additional scripts. 
I think one has to consider why CBS has taken such an unusual action to cancel a series after 3 episodes, when they have more episodes paid for and ready to air. This is not a rational decision. There has to be political considerations at play.
For those of you upset that CBS cancelled Smith, consider filing a complaint. With enough viewer complaints, CBS may reconsider its cancelling of the marvelous fast-paced Smith with its excellent cast including Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker and Amy Smart and the show’s superb writing. Blame it on CBS’s bad marketing, its only giving the show three episodes of airtime, and CBS’s lack of promoting online viewing of earlier episodes of Smith for those who needed to catch up. CBS could have given a better re-cap at the beginning of episodes for new viewers just tuning in. It could… Read more »
I still can’t believe that CBS has cancelled Smith, to me it was the best show to come out in a long while. It is upsetting to think that they would cancel the show only to show reruns of a different show. I only hope that they change their minds or some other network picks it up.
Why is it everytime a “good show” starts on television it gets cancelled with out any notice. The show just merely vanishes never to return again. I enjoyed watching “Smith”. It was a good show with good stories each time. The networks keep the stupid reality shows and take the good ones off the air.
It was a real shame that CBS cancelled Smith so early on. After viewing the first two episodes, I wouldn’t say it was specatacular, but it was a certainly different and refreshing, considering that prime time TV is completely inundated with two genres – (non)reality shows (reality meaning what exactly?), or forensic pathology shows. It certainly had the potential to be great, if CBS had given it more of a chance to develop.
There is an online petition that you can sign, in hopes that CBS will reconsider about canceling the show. You can sign the petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/cbssmith/petition.html
Let’s hope this show will go on,
http://www.smith-on-cbs.com
Smith was a great show, I was really into it and am really dissapointed CBS decided to cancel it. There are so many BS shows on tv right now and Smith was a great change of pace! BRING IT BACK!
I can’t believe that you have cancelled “Smith” after only three shows. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Every episode was like a mini movie. It was smart, modern and, quite frankly, a real break from the ususal drivel out there. Could you please explain to me the reasoning behind cancelling this great show?
I can’t believe they actually cancelled smith, that show was amazing and different for a change. I was sick and tired of CSI’s and medical shows. This show brought a new meaning and different plot above all shows on television including lawyer shows and prosecution come on try something for a change Smith had a revolutionary twist. Cbs can’t see potential no wonder why I rather watch the cw network or NBC, Think people think pay attention to your viewers.
I can’t believe they actually cancelled smith, that show was amazing and different for a change. I was sick and tired of CSI’s and medical shows. This show brought a new meaning and different plot above all shows on television including lawyer shows and prosecution come on try something for a change Smith had a revolutionary twist. Cbs can’t see potential no wonder why I rather watch the cw network or NBC, Think people think pay attention to your viewers.
Hey guys,
I am from holland, and I downloaded the 3 episodes, and loved it, to bad CBS is so f*cked up to cancel it after just 3 episodes…
Like R. Johnson (October 10, 2006 09:47 PM) said, move it to different times or whatnot…
This s*cks peanuts… and so does CBS.
Greets, Rob
Ps: isnt there an online “Petition” we can do for this show?
as others have mentioned, go to http://www.cbs.com and leave feedback if you’re unhappy with Smith being cancelled.
CBS cancels Smith and shows like Jericho remain on the air????
Jericho is tired and predictable, retread soapy nannononsense, while Smith had a great cast, good writing, excellent pace/camera work, and an edgy ‘where will it all lead?’ context. Now I fear for similar ‘what don’t we know yet’ shows (i.e. the Nine).Ya get hooked into the guessing game, and then you get hung out to dry. NO FAIR!
Everyone, go to CBS.com and voice your opinion! There is a FEEDBACK link on the very bottom… use it! Send CBS a message about what a great show SMITH was. I can’t belive those execs can be so dumb, it almost makes you wonder if this came “from the top” and higher ups were forced to make a decision. There so many other horrible shows on CBS, cancel those!
I am very disappointed that this show has been canceled. How can CBS only give it 3 strikes and you’re out. I love Ray Liotta. He portrays the perfect bad guy! Please bring it back!!!