As serial dramas go, Standoff is one of the lucky ones. After several new series from the 2006-2007 season bit the dust, this one miraculously survived and FOX even ordered additional episodes. But now, after being M.I.A. for months, has Standoff’s luck finally run out?
Standoff debuted back on September 5, 2006 on FOX. The series focuses on an FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit whose members negotiate hostage situations and, of course, share relationships. The series stars Ron Livingston, Rosemarie DeWitt, Gina Torres, Michael Cudlitz, Raquel Alessi and Jose Pablo Cantillo.
Following an episode of popular medical drama House, the Tuesday night Standoff premiere attracted a healthy 13.7 million viewers (retaining 70% of its lead-in). Before going on hiatus for the World Series, the ratings dropped to an average of 8.4 million.
When Standoff returned on November 1st at 8pm, without the benefit of the House lead-in, Standoff really got clobbered and viewership dropped to fewer than five million people. FOX hoped this was a temporary condition and showed it’s support by upping the episode order to 19 for the season.
The ratings didn’t really improve and FOX pulled the series after December 12th. The last original episode to air attracted about the five million. FOX ran House reruns in the subsequent weeks and attracted almost two million more than what Standoff had been getting.
When the series was pulled in December, FOX had said that it would return in early 2007. It was then revealed that Standoff would return in March on Friday nights when television viewership is much lower. That date passed and FOX now says that Standoff will return in June. Will it really happen this time?
With eight original episodes already completed and paid for, it’s almost a sure thing that Standoff will actually return. Unfortunately, the series return now won’t occur until well after FOX has decided on their new Fall schedule.
FOX says that Standoff hasn’t been officially cancelled. But, based on its ratings track record and FOX’s reluctance to bring it back to the schedule, a second season looks highly unlikely. We’ll keep you posted if things change. Stay tuned! 
Standoff is a fast paced high quality drama. Livingston and Dewitt have a truly active chemistry. I was surprised it wasn’t continued. EVERY episode kept me thoroughly entertained. Please bring it back.
Wow, look at the actor in episode 2 that plays Peter Berke in White Collar now!
Yep I found Standoff late, on hulu, loved it so not surprised they canceled it….. it’s 2014 now, why are these two leads in other shows by now????
gesh, wake up casting and managemt agents and get them working, such a talent waste having them sidelined…
just recently found this show..watched and love it..sad that the cancelled it. this is way better than CSI or House. i think they lack in advertising it. i mean, see how many of us has just heard about this show..hope they will bring it or cable network like TNT will pick this one up. i know its been 5 years now but still, it would be great to see this two back on the tv or atleast to see rosemarie dewitt..would love to see a cop show with her on it..
it is a great drama…
love the way ron and rosemarie play the act.
would love to see them back in the series…
with the others offcourse.:)
I want this show back. Why they create 4 versions of csi for each city. Why someone create one more season of this?!
My husband and i just found it on HULU and love it. One of my favorite all times!! Super sad to see there was only 18 episodes!!! I really want them to bring this show back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just found Standoff on Hulu and watched all the episodes. I give it four stars and would like to see more. I think USA should pick up this series and run with it. It is a very good topic and the actors did a pretty good job… certainly better than other shows. There is substance and great show plot. I would encourage more people to write in and say why they like this show.
Just found this show on Hulu.com, I love it, and hope it comes back i want to see more of it…
This was a great series and surely some network would be able to see that an pick it up… i agree, how much CSI does there really have to be, CSI Miame is really getting stupid, Callie is very blah, never smiles and is so monotone it makes you want to gag.
standoff, a great show. bring it back, we miss it
I miss it soooo much! I’m just rewatching some taped episodes and it was so fantastic… I miss it.
Bring back stand off it’s one of the better shows that were on. Why sho all this sport when you have better shows.