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.
Yes it would be awesome if your cousin, cast and agents approached FOX or some other network to pick it up. We’ve watched every episode at least twice and love the show. It’s much better than 24.
Dennis is a cousin of mine. His mother is my grandmother’s (rest her soul) sister. I intend to “lobby” Dennis on the issue of either finding other outlets for the show’s expansion or exhibiting his talents in other formats? What do you think? any suggestions? Let me know.
Hey Ean,
I already sent my idea for that movie to all of this casts websites. I have had the idea since the 4th episode of the 1st season. I know Mr. Haney has had no asperations of a movie however the idea I have would shelve, now and forever, the new A-Team tragedy of Stephen Cannell. My idea would also make a perfect mixing of these two icon shows. Please let me know how I can help get this in Dennis’ ear.
Both my wife and I loved the unit. We are very unhappy that it was removed from production. I agree that the wives did not do much for the show.
Bring it back.
Richard Reynolds
This is the BEST TV show on television!! You may want to remove some of these reality shows that are not high ratings and keep a high quality show — the Unit — on the air. It has drama, suspense and some humor (in it’s on way). It is a quality show with a REAL STORY line that will be missed if taken off the show.
Man it stinks the Unit was canceled! So many story lines not finished! I loved this show.
I have just started to watch the reruns of The Unit…And I have been “hooked” ever since! I didn’t even know the show was that good! I have been recording every episode. The only thing that isn’t too thriiling to me is when they “cut away” from the action and show the Unit’s wives…They definitely slow the show down with the melodrama…The action is superb, and I have been recording\watching the show ever since…They need to make a movie about The Unit!
When enough people tell you you’re drunk lie down. We want more.
We is it necessary to cancel shows with substance ? I have watched this show every year, please bring it back.
I am 25 year old female, who has seen every season since day one. I thought that there was finally a great show that was full of drama, love and real life situations. One gets a little tired of the other over dramatic shows that are on TV now. I feel shows like The Unit make us proud to be in a country where soldgers and there familys have to fight for our freedom. This show is the best thing that has been on TV since before I can remember. Maybe the problem was there wasn’t enough adds out about… Read more »
I can’t believe there won’t be a 5th season. I’m in the military and I get a blast out of watching these men portray themselves as special forces. I have watched episodes 1-4 several times!!! It’s action packed from beginning to end and in my opinion, there is not another show that is being aired today that comes close to the unit. POOR DECISION to have the show cancelled!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah Tyler P. I would have to agree. I loved this show and still do and I’m 15 as well. When I found out that the Show was cancelled I was literally depressed. I like the show because the main character, Jonas Blane(Dennis Haysbert), is like a role model to me and is a good person. I love the military and want to join the Marines and this was an inspiring show. I’d do almost anything to bring it back.
I am still not 55 and I just love this show. The only thing I couldn’t understand why nobody advertised it. It’s an amazing show for action lovers and romance likens too. I see everywhere LOST and DEXTER advertisement and although I like those shows too, The Unit is still my #1 since I found it accidentally. Please have guys a little faith in yourself and continue, and spend a bit more money to advertise. It’s worthy.
Wow, I just… can’t really believe it. I am 15 years old and have been watching the Unit since it first began I would have to say it is the arguably the greatest show ever on Television and hardly ever missed an episode. I interduced it to my cousins who are about my age in 2008 and they loved it as well. I just don’t understand why they would cancel it to save the stupid Medium show it is extremely frustrating and I just wonder how big the Unit might have gotten. I guess these days that over 9 million… Read more »
This was my favorite show. Please bring it back. You’ve developed a story line that needs to come to a reasonable conclusion.
I have to admit, I somehow missed the show when it was in production. Ran across it in re-runs and I have to say it was one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. Seeing that the production cost was below that of the other shows on the network I’m really amazed that they would pull the plug on it. As one of the other post mention the over 55 crowed is a large segment of the population and I would think the advertising review would be as good as any of the other shows still on… Read more »