There’s another casualty on network TV. CBS’ military drama, The Unit, has been cancelled after four seasons on the air.
The Unit revolves around an elite military unit and their civilian loved ones. The series features the talents of Dennis Haysbert, Regina Taylor, Audrey Marie Anderson, Robert Patrick, Max Martini, Abby Brammell, Michael Irby, Scott Foley, Demore Barnes, Alyssa Shafer, Danielle Hanratty, Kavita Patil, and Rebecca Pidgeon.
Created by acclaimed director and writer David Mamet, the series debuted in mid-season 2006. An average audience of 15.5 million viewers ensured a second season for the drama but year two didn’t go as well, attracting 11.1 million viewers. The show has continued to decline in the ensuing years and season four has averaged an audience of 9.67 million. Though the overall viewership isn’t too low, the series does skew older. The average age of The Unit’s viewership is about 55.
The series has been “on the bubble” for awhile and many took it as a bad sign when showrunner Shawn Ryan signed on to helm FOX’s Lie to Me. Ryan however maintained that he would continue on both shows if The Unit was renewed. He’d previously performed double duty while working concurrently on The Unit and The Shield.
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Like most of the networks’ actions these days, the decision to renew or cancel came down to finances. CBS had asked for all of its shows to reduce their budgets. The Unit is actually already cheaper to produce than it looks. Shot primarily in Southern California, it costs less than $3 million per episode to produce. That’s about half as expensive as other primetime dramas.
A couple weeks ago, Haysbert told the LA Times that he was unsure if he wanted the show to come back if it meant making too many creative and salary concessions. He said, “There are a number of factors that go into whether I want it back or not. It’s been a great ride and, if I don’t work with these people again, I’ll certainly play golf with them.”
In an age when the networks and studios have to watch every dollar, they’ve all been favoring renewing shows that are created by sister or in-house production companies. Since 20th Century Fox TV produces the show, the network wouldn’t benefit if the show went into syndication.
Prior to the cancellation news, Gary Newman, chairman of The Unit’s studio, said, “For the CBS viewer, this show is unique. The audience may not be huge, but there’s going to be enormous disappointment if it goes off and it’s replaced with one more procedural or forensics show.”
Image courtesy CBS.
I can’t BELIEVE it…CANCELED????????? Are you kidding me? This was the BEST show on the air! I have followed it since day one and with passion and commitment, faithfully watched EVERY single episode. I can’t believe that the” suits” can justify canceling one of the few, non-forensic related, shows. The cast was AWESOME! The story lines were r-e-a-l. I know, I have friends in the military and special forces. This was one of the BEST and I am just SICK that it may be lost forever…
For those who can never tell what they felt, this series gave voice to why they acted, how they coped, and mostly stands to tell the brothers to followed that someone will finally know the price and the pride that goes into honor, duty, country.
Is it too much to ask that this not be entirely valued by dollars and margin?
The Unit also shared how the Army wife feels when her husband is away. I was a military spouse for 24 years and loved and respected what he did and gave up for our country. The Unit showed my husband some of the things that happened with the family when he was away. I was very good at sharing with him but not complaining about his work. A few of the shows seem to come from a few of my friends life. I have called them and we shared how we felt about the show. We all loved the show.… Read more »
I am sorry to see this show go. My husband is a Viet Nam Vet and this is the only war movie or show he has wacthed since he returned in 1966. This show has been healing for him. He has opened up and shared a little about his tour in Nam. I am not a great fan of action movies but I love this show and how it has helped the love of my life. After 40 years, I am getting my love back. I wish you could see him. He is explaining the bond the unit shares as… Read more »
I think everyone at cbs has lost their minds. How can you take the only show worth watching and flush it ! I probably would watch more tv if there wasn’t so much ******** on . It’s bad when a man can’t watch a real kickass show without some waterhead ******* it up for everyone. It cost less to make this show than any other show on cbs line up seriously who wants to whatch a show about some old broad going through a mid life crisses or a bunch of idots stuck in a house together. Everyone at CBS… Read more »
My favorite show–excellent plot, writing and acting; the antithesis of the “reality “show I guess that’s a death sentence nowadays for any series. My wife and I will sorely miss it.
The Unit gone? I’m still confused by this retarded decision by CBS.The show was moved to Sunday and still had about 9 mil viewers. I actually liked the NCIS and The Unit line on Tuesday,It was quite fitting. Like most of my “Unitians”, I’m done with CBS.
NCIS has gotten old. No Unit, so I won’t be watching CBS any longer. I’m going back to NBC. The reply that said ” idiots”, was profound.
Moving The Unit to Sunday night at 10 pm was the wrong move & helped kill the show. It should have stayed in Monday thru Friday prime time. I also hope one of the other networks picks it up & gives it a good time slot, they won’t regret it!
One of the other networks would be smart to pick it up. I loved JAG, NBC cancelled and CBS picked up and ran with it. Now it’s NBC’s turn to run with it, PICK UP THE UNIT NBC!!
I loved the Unit. I was hoping the show would come back in mid season. It seems like the good shows get canceled while the sleezy shows somehow survive. Does that show where our society has gone… to the mindless people?
CBS = idiots.
Here we go again – cancel the good shows and keep the mindless garbage. The Unit was the best show on the tube, period. I don’t care to watch dueling hairdressers or inept chefs ruining good food. ..
CBS is making a BIG MISTAKE. I LOVE The Unit. They can not keep us hanging about Jonas and Molly separating. They have been marry for twenty-five years. They are the back bone of the marry couple. Please bring back The Unit and let Jonas Blaine retire. Because you left the viewers hanging. The Unit was the best show on TV. I can not believe they are canceled the show.
I’m not surprised they cancelled The Unit. After all, haven’t you heard the Current Political Administration doesn’t think there are Terrorists anymore….and CBS, wanting to be on the preferred list of main stream media kiss ups, doesn’t want to rock the boat with the PRO MILITARY, PRO USA, PRO FLAG , PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY mentality of The Unit. God Forbid. Yes, we need more mindless sit coms like The Big Bang Theory, Old Christine or Ugly Betty, ESPECIALY FOR THE MALE VIEWER. What are you going to replace it with…….KATIE GOES TO WASHINGTON??? That will keep viewers glued to… Read more »