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 an awesome show, we looked forward to its return and now you’ve canceled it. WHY?? I am so sick of watching singles and divorcees, this show had real marriages dealing with real problems that military families deal with every day. I am so sick of networks canceling the good shows and shoving smut down our throats.
Wow. This is news to me. And, i’m sickened by it. Networks continue to cancel ‘smart’ programming and continue to promote mindless drivel. I’m sure we’ll get CSI: Duluth, or Big Brother: Armenia. ********. There’s a reason why the collective intelligence in this country is diminished with each new year. The standards are set by the media.
My wife ask me about when The Unit would start back up. I looked and was saddened to tell her it had been canceled. We both renjoyed the show quite a lot. Way too bad. there’s not much on we like these days.
Theres only two shows on cbs that ill even watch anyway, if the unit got canned maybe ill stop watching the amazing race and the mentalist to boycot your stupid ass decisions.
Why dont you throw lenno back to late night ,we dont need that crap that early.
PLEASE BRING BACK THE UNIT!!!!!!! I cant believe all the garbage that is on TV. Ever time a good show comes on tv like the UNIT OR SOUTHLAND some how it gets canceled and were left with all those rotten reality shows and what ever other garbage thats on tv.Again I and millions of others are begging you to PLEASE BRING THE UNIT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
thats why people watch cable because network tv kills the wrong shows
WHY!!!! I love this show..bring it back! bring it back!
Another great show off the air… it could definitely compete with 24 and Hero’s. This is a total disappointment CBS….
Bring the Unit back!!! Move its time slot if necessary. It’s all the delays because of football, etc., that hurt. GREAT SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!
They canceled Jericho, figures they would cancel another good show. Once they dialed back showing the lives of the wives it got a lot better. Next they’re probably going to cancel NCIS, the way this is going…
I’m so tired of all the good shows being cancelled while we are bombarded with drivel. The unit was one of the few shows my husband and I watched together. I have a life, I don’t need another reality show. PLEASE BRING THE UNIT BACK!!!
Bring the Unit Back! If not for a show, can you do the “movie” version?
Why did you cancel my favorite show. You just said it was cheaper then a new show. Please bring it back. The only thing I didn’t like, was involving the wifes to do missions on their own. My wife never did that, plus creating marital bliss, is not want we want to see on tv, it already happens in real life. I’m hoping you are gonna make a similiar show or something close to the unit. PLEASEBRING IT BACK!!!!!
I have seen every single episode of every single season..I was SHOCKED when I heard that the show has been cancelled. There is not one person I know that doesn’t LOVE the show!!