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. 
Attica, Attica, Attica
Gee, I wonder why not many people were watching? Oh that’s right… Because the f*cking World Series was on!!!! Put Smith back on.
I could not wait every Monday to watch Smith. I have been checking the tv guide every week and didn’t realize this show was cancelled. I find this hard to believe. I would love to see this series back. It was like watching a good action movie every week. It is really too bad this happen.
Dear Execs:
I will continue to watch Smith if you will continue to air it, any day or time. Ray Liotta and the rest of the cast are GREAT! The plot is smooth and sophisticated, and not incoherent as some seem to suggest.
I do not and will not watch Jericho or 3lbs. Oh, I also will not watch repeats of CSI. C’mon guys!
Smith was one of the few new shows worth watching. I was already attached to it.
JUST LIKE EVRYONE ELSE I’M UPSET THAT SMITH GOT CANCELED.I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT TODAY.SINCE THE LAST SHOW I HAVE BEEN ONLINE TRING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPEN AND NOW I KNOW.I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THERE ARE TO MANY CSI,FBI, AND LAW SHOWS ON TV TODAY.PLUS I DON’T HAVE CABLE SO I’M STUCK WATCHING FREE TV.I REALLY DON’T BUY THE RATINGS THING BECAUSE SMITH WAS VERY GOOD YOU WANNA CANCEL SOMETHING HOW ABOUT COLD CASE OR AMAZING RACE,OR JERICHO.
I RECORDED ALL THREE EPISODE TO SHARE WITH MY FRIENDS ON WHAT A GREAT SHOW IT WAS. EVERONE WAS READY TO WATCH, THN YOU PULL IT. IS THAT THE WAY YOU THANK THE PUBLIC BY PULLING IT OUT & NOT INFORMING THE VIEWERS.WELL THANK YOU VERY LITTLE.
I agree with ALL of the above comments. Ray Liotta is a terrific actor. The show had great potential. I’m so tired of all the “reality” garbage ! The replacement show sounds like more of the semi-comedy shows thrown together.
This Les Moonie needs to show a little respect. A very interesting show with a great movie actor leading the cast gets cut in 3 episode?? Ray Liotta needs to go into Les’ office and do his wise guy routine.
Hey CBS, do you guys actually READ feedback? We liked Smith. Why? Because it wasn’t a medical show, or a doctor show, or a lawyer show. Canceling Smith was a mistake.
Please reconsider the cancellation of Smith. I thought it was a great show, and I put it my small rotation of shows to watch alongside The Unit, The Daily Show, 60 Minutes, and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
I would subscribe to HBO if they picked up the show.
What is wrong with you CBS exec’s in programing…Smith was a very promising series! I hope you guys get bombarded with emails,letters and phone calls! Your going to find out that this is going to bite you in the ass! I suggest you re-think,go back to the table and put Ray and crew back in the line up!
Jim
VERY DISAPPOINTING TO LOSE SUCH A GREAT STAR LINE-UP WITH LIOTTA, MADSEN AND BAKER. THIS SHOW DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE – DIFFERENT NIGHT, DIFFERENT TIME SLOT.
i really enjoyed the smith series.it’s much better than watching the unit.i’m really tired of those war scenes.we,the viewers seem to be at cbs mercy.it’s whatever they say goes.LIKE IT OR LUMP IT.
i am very disappointed. i watched the show at first then attempted to record it and kept getting something different.
i like ray liotta and heist shows. it was not difficult to follow.
i guess just one more reason not to watch CBS.
they have nothing else i watch.
so good night CBS, sleep well.
you are digging your own grave.