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! 
PLease bring it back i loved that show the chemistry was great
I thought Standoff an excellent police show with a difference. Would appreciate seeing any unaired episodes. Enjoyed the relationship between the main actors. Hope it will come back on. It was aired quite late on Tuesday nights. Surprised it was not on at a better time.
Just wondering if there is any chance that this show is coming back on the air? My fifteen year old daughter has decided to become a hostage negotiator because of this show. She really liked it and we had fun watching it together. Please bring it back. Thanking you in advance for what ever you can do
Please bring Standoff back. I really really enjoy this show. You could put it on Wednesday nights at 8pm. Get rid of Til Death or Back to you. Thanks for a great show Standoff.
Any chance that this show will come back. The actors and writers are good. Why dont they just cancel Are you Smarter or Til Death or Dont forget the Lyrics and bring back Standoff….
STANDOFF is a must watch with great characters and dialog. PLEASE bring it back and soon!!
this series gotta be back! its the best series ever! give it another chance!!!!
Standoff was one of my favs too, pls. don’t tell me they are going to axe it, what a bummer!!!!
Standoff is one of my favorite TV series along with other action shows. I am so disappointed that it has been canceled. But, what chance did it have when it was pre-empted for other things so often?
This is a great show! BRING IT BACK FOX!
The viewing would not have dropped off if Fox would not have kept canceling dates, moving the night of the week, and changing the time. You only set shows up for failures this way.
Bring back Standoff! It’s one of the best. We miss seeing it. PLEASE PLEASE
try anything to keep this on the air. It needs a different time slot and better promo. I found it by mistake and really liked it. Liked it enough to write about and thats a lot for me. Why dont you whack an hour of Family Guy on Sunday night and air it after the Simpson’s. Now we’re talking.
this is a great show it should definetly come back
this is a greta show it should definetly come back
I hope that StandOff comes back to stay! My daughter, in the Air Force, is an MP (Military Police). Out of all the other stuff on tv, she watched Standoff with me, while on her own vacation from catching the bad guys in the (“Sand Box). That’s the desert countries for those who are not aware. She said that the show is entertaining, and it has enough truth to the investigative portion, to make it truly likeable, even to those with a comparable education!. PLEASE- For our young ones fighting for their country- keep Standoff on the air. Thanks. MG