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.
Why so many reality shows with no substance? I do not watch any of them. Cance CSI Miami and get rid of Caruso’s ego. Most shows on TV are based on police situations. I LOVE The Unit. The caracters are believable and so are the stories. There are no military shows any more. When the ast show for the 4th season was aired it did not look like a series finale. As for the audience age, remember the the over 55 is the largest segment of the US population and affluent. There are enough shows for young viewers as it… Read more »
“Snakedoc…. this is weezil…we’ve been taken over by wussies” CBS will run a Tim Tebow “family first ad during the friggin superbowl but the military can’t get the best show ever created to keep goingso they can run more of their ******** “dramas”. If it weren’t for David Letterman I would never turn to CBS at all now.
please please bring back the unit i love this show so much please bring it back its better than anyhting else you have on tv
i am a twenty two year old kid and i love this show. Even though i have just started watching it a couple months back i love this show. I have started renting all the seasons because it a very good show so please please bring it back. i come home after work just to watch this show
They need to bring back the unit. I am sick of all these reality shows and forensic CSI Shows. The unit was such a great show. It made me realize what some men and women do for our country and has inspired me. CBS lost ther mind when they canceled it after such a cliffhanger. We still have so much to find out. I’m glad other people out there agree and I can only hope CBS hears what people have to say and bring back the unit. BRing it back!!!!!
It was a mistake to cancel this show. The Unit compares to Law and Order in quality. And unlike the new sitcoms – no innuendos sexually. Youngsters cannot even watch TV anymore. But children could enjoy The Unit. And parents could teach lessons evoked by each episode. Maybe politics canceled it. I will have to get my Haysbert “fix” by watching his insurance commercials.
Cancelling the Unit was another CBS insanity move. I’m 38 years old prior military and love the show. I think the issue is how CBS evaluates it’s viewership, as well as lack of marketing of the TV show. Hopefully, CBS will obtain some psychiatric treatment and bring the show back.
I’m just in shock. I rented the entire 4 seaons and watched them over the span of a few weeks. I had to do it this way b/c I missed a few here and there. Well the final episode left such a cliff hange; I mean come on. If you don’t want the show to return at least let it return just to close us out.
And please, please….bring back the original cast–no phonies. Please CBS.
bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. bring it back!…. pls snake doc, bring it back!….
Im realy at a loss for words, it has been a great show and I have watched it here in the uk on Bravo, I agree with Thao how many CSI type of programs can you put out there !.
I think this program has a bigger following than is realised..
I cant believe they actually cancel this show after the 4th Season. The storyline havent end, yet it just arrive at a surprise climate. I really like this show and I dont know how CBS rate the viewers’ age. I think they should RENEW. I just saw the old episode air on Ch58 in CA and all of my brothers were surprise including myself. This show brings happiness and motivation to the youngs. It’s somehow like a role model of showing us that we can do anything to protect the person we love. I’m 21 and my brothers are younger… Read more »
A lot more people might watch the show if it were broadcasted and avaliable in more viewing areas, then ratings would go up. I have to wait and get the season on DVD when they finally decide to release it. This was a great show. I couldn’t agree more with what others have posted here. What a disappointment CBS.
I agree totally with some of the other comments regarding what’s out there to watch. I would think everyone has enough reality in their lives, to not want to watch it every night!! We don’t watch any of them. Plus, I’d like for shows to come on earlier, what is up with the 10pm hour? Some of us who have to work every day, makes it too hard to stay up for them.
I did mean to mention we loved “The Unit”. It was a great show; enjoyed “getting to know” the characters. Once in a military family, it can be hard for the families left behind. Family members helping each other out, getting together was an essential part of military life. Hope they bring it back.
the unit should be brought back these stations want to please the people THEN LISTEN TO US AN BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally!!!!! Go to the January 27th 11:28AM post. See how much we can do to bring back the show. The people have spoken!