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 show was the best shows ive ever seen. Please bring it back!
They need to bring this show back. Thats a reason why I watch nothing on CBS anymore, also nothing good is on anymore. The Unit was a show I enjoyed.
The cancellation of this outstanding series was another incredibly idiotic move by an inept and completely stupid management team at CBS. I am not of military background myself, or have any close friends or family that are experienced in this arena….but found this series to be riveting. The cast is superb and the plots lines engaging….I very much appreciated the struggles of the wives and family as they supported their soldier-spouses…… and was moved by the personal ethic struggles of the ‘team’ members. This series gave us a realistic look at the sacrifices that our soldiers and their families make… Read more »
Love love love this show….BrInG It BaCk….
I am taken a back with this cancellation. With all of the dumb reality show on the air now, what has happened to the good shows on television. We are going to a reality TV world and that’s going to be our downfall because noone is going to watch TV after while. I love the unit and the reruns. I think they portray the military special forces very well and with that they would bring this show back, but on a different day of the week. Timing is everything in this business. I have never seen them try and move… Read more »
Amen, Lets bring the show back to prime time………….
I’m all for bring the show back too. I turn on the TV and they keep the dumbest show on the air and stop the good ones. BRING IT BACK!
I am a former ranger who loves military flicks. Among all the top-notch military shows, The Unit is my favorite, without question!! Honestly, if you think about it, placing this television series at the very top of the heap–above classic and award winning military movies–speaks volumes! Dennis “Snake Doc” Haysbert does such an impressive job in his dominant and cognizant role. Ya gotta love it! He exemplifies the role of being confident and not cocky or arrogant. Each of the other characters also superbly click in their roles! I also enjoyed how the wives roles were well integrated into the… Read more »
Ranger, What would you think if the mgmt brought The Unit back on television as sort of 2 hr drama with Snake Doc leading the others on a VERY DANGEROUS rescue mission in Iran, Iraq or Afghan…? Just food for thought. I have watched EVERY episode numerous times via Directv. Wow!!!!!!!!!!! I know every word and/or situation the guys have been in from the very start.
Perhaps we can stimulate other Unit fanatics to write in or call to make this happen.
This show should go back on air because it gives younger ppl an urge to join the military to serve the country in many dif ways either in the field or in the office , it shows great values an determination of others to protect the country. But most of all it shows stabalization in a family which The Unit/Wives have shown even when there were bad things happening an they always came together an made things right. Honestly thats what the U.S./World needs today! Its something to consider. 🙂
Bring this show back!
Bring it BacK
as usual hollywood lives up to its reputation///idiots///if greed wasnt alive/hollywood wouldnt exist
The Unit is a very interesting, well written and acted show. It showed on the wrong day. If they had put the show on another day, it would have done much better. I wish they would bring it back.
They should bring it back. If they need to cut the budget they can cut back on the wives and have more time with the men in the field. This was one of the best shows ever on the air.
Come on~~ This is one of the best shows from CBS. Very well written and played. You cant drop it just like that!!!! Please save the show and country!!! Their job hasnt been finished saving uncle Sam!!