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 $3 million per episode to produce. That’s about half as expensive as other primetime dramas.
A couple weeks ago, Haysbert told the LA Times that he was unsure if he wanted the show to come back if it meant making too many creative and salary concessions. He said, “There are a number of factors that go into whether I want it back or not. It’s been a great ride and, if I don’t work with these people again, I’ll certainly play golf with them.”
In an age when the networks and studios have to watch every dollar, they’ve all been favoring renewing shows that are created by sister or in-house production companies. Since 20th Century Fox TV produces the show, the network wouldn’t benefit if the show went into syndication.
Prior to the cancellation news, Gary Newman, chairman of The Unit’s studio, said, “For the CBS viewer, this show is unique. The audience may not be huge, but there’s going to be enormous disappointment if it goes off and it’s replaced with one more procedural or forensics show.”
Image courtesy CBS.
I Love “The Unit” It Was A Great Show And It Should Be Brought Back…..Everyone Pass It On To Your Friends And Watch The Re-runs On Spike TV OR Buy The Series, Its Worth It!! :-)…..And Be A Fan On http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/RenewTheUnit?ref=ts
It was a great show, I would really like to see it come back. My vote is for it to come back !!
Totally sucks, go figure when theres a decent show to watch they cancel it. Stupid network trolls eat s@#$ nevermind you already do.
Denniss Haysbert is the spokesman for the most corrupt insurance company in America, Allstate-no company even comes close to their rip offs as professional thieves.
He shares in their despicable claims practices. They are capable of and have denied any and every thing on clear cases, even to dying people.
That makes him despicable and guilty with them.
I was one that also loved watching “The Unit”,and was very disappointed when the network , with all of their widom ,decided that the American viewing pubic would rather watch things like reality shows, middle to upper income white kids , in high school with all of their problems & who want to be the next superior model. I do’nt care for shows like that . When I ,for one come home, I would like to relax to some advantager & action shows, just to take my mind off of the things that I had to put up with that… Read more »
The unit was the only show that I watched on nbc. bye bye nbc ,bye advertisers. You have no further interests for me and you will get no more of my money.
I cannot believe The Unit was cancelled. It was one of the few television shows that I like. I am so tired of the hospital and murder shows. This was the only thing on with decent action.
I agree with Jackie I absolutely love the unit I have all four seasons. I think with the way things are going in the world now will probably never see a show like this on television again everything is designed to dumb you down, nothing to make you think ,nothing to stimulate your mind ,just stupid reality shows mindless dribble. Keep our fingers crossed. Maybe we’ll get a second crack at the show maybe someone will pick up the rights and make a movie out of it. Sincerely unit fan.
I absolutely love The Unit, have all four season and feel it would be a great shame if it was no more. It brings something different to tv that we don’t see very often, it’s about time we were given what we wanted and not dominated by what people think we want. Just when it all gets good tv companies take it off air, how typical, are we in for more pathetic series with yet more sex and swearing? Bring back The Unit it’s you duty to thrill and excite the UK’s viewing public.
Regards Jackie
The Unit is a great show! I think they are crazy for cancelling it. This is 1 of only 3 shows that my husband and I watched together. I am only 31 I enjoyed the show, I’m tired of networks keeping all of these teenie boopers shows on and cancelling the good ones. We adults are the ones that work all day and would like to unwind and watch something good on tv besides kids in high school “with problems”…
you are extremely spot on i and my wife found that its de one tv drama that appealed to both of us.
Not sure I believe the average age profile of Unit viewers is 55, I was switched on to this great drama series by my daughter. She and several of her friends are big fans and are all in their early 20s! Very disappointed that we won’t be seeing another series.
The Unit was one of a few shows my husband and I watched together. I’m very sad that was taken from us. The Unit was a very entertaining show that peaked both of our interest. I could not wait to see if Molly would come back, being a hard core Unit wife or how the split would effect her husband. I usually don’t like military shows but it had enough drama for me and was realistic enough for my husband. A great combination. We will both miss it!
Darlene
I share those sentiments. I never thought my girlfriend would like show, but she fell in love the show and its characters. A well put together show that I hope will be pick up by another network.
I love the unit!! I am 21 years old and have all four seasons. I want the ynit vack and more adverts should be put out there for it!!
Cancelling The Unit may be another one of those advertisers’ refusing to subscribe because the show’s majority attraction is mover age 45. That’s what happened to Cold Case. We should start boycotting those advertisers and spread the word so they know we really do have an impact.
If thats the case than its sad because i’m 34 years old and I simply love the show.
I cannot believe the show was cancelled. I love this show and sure many others do too. Funny how shows like friends, which wasnt bad or realistic stayed on over ten years, but the realistic unit cannot make it 5. This is CBS at its finest, and I will not participate. In fact, I haven’t watch CBS since I was a child (and it was the news with my Grans)……That is exactly why only old people watch CBS…it stands for Cocky Bullsh@t Studios. Thanks CBS….never again..till I get old in about 40. Ciao.