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.
This is BS. The Unit was the best show CBS has to offer. Bring back the UNIT! Bunch of morons running CBS.
I can’t believe it.
I’ll just watch another network. The show big brother is for someone that is horny and needs therapy.That show should have been taken off in its pilot stage.
I just came online to see when the unit was going to debut this fall and now i find out it has been cancelled. This was the one show i was looking forward to watching. I am really dissapointed!
My husband and I really enjoyed watching the Unit we looked forward to it every week never missing an epesoid. I cant believe its not coming back and were not in our 50’s either.
It seems like everytime there are great shows they cancel them and were stuck with stupid 4th grade educational sit coms come on people lets grow up already.
its with great sadness that i write this. I have no show to watch this season. THE UNIT should really come back. Its the only SHOW on TV.
so here is a show that the average man and women can get in to and some can relate to and you are going to take it off. hope you don’t put another stupid reality show on.
what the hell are you thinking best show around. It kept me connected with my military days that are now my sons. No its not just another military show got plenty seen plenty. Never did think Hollywood could get there OBAMA ass kissin heads out of there’s or his long enough to see what we the real americans want. But soon too will change
I don’t usually make comments on shows that are canceled, but, I must this time. Like many other fans, I looked forward to this season of The Unit, and to my disappointment learned that CBS had canceled this season program ….I am very disappointed.
I always enjoyed The Unit. With all of the junk that they have on TV, I don’t understand why they would cancel a really good show. I always looked forward to watching it. I’m very disappointed in CBS and their decision to cancel the show. They should have started with some of their silly sitcoms with the canned laughter.
I was in the military and found the show to be true to the military life in most cases.
I’m very disappointed. CBS should reconsider their decision to cancel the show.
I believe like the others. I will not watch any new shows. This is very disappointing.
You need to bring back on so people will see what it is like for people that is not in military and for the ones that have family in, Please take off one of the DARN Reality showes.
Very disappointing!!!
I can’t believe you really cancelled it! Granted, I hated the Sunday time slot, I usually go to bed at 9:00, so I had to train myself to stay up late and still leave for the gym at 0430, but it was worth it! Big Brother?? Survivor?? Bachelor/ette? All these STUPID shows are on on various networks and you have to cancel The Unit? You should be ashamed of yourself! I eagerly waited in Iraq, for iTunes to download episodes so I could watch. For shame!
Bad move CBS, The Unit was great show. It’s too bad we will end up watching some stupid reality show. Good programing is getting so hard to find.
As many of the others have already posted, this was the ONE show that I was passionate about watching each week. Instead of having a unique action / drama program to run CBS has chosen to be ordinary at best. I am very dissappointed in this decision and hope for a reversal from CBS.