Call the FBI. There’s another victim of the cancellation axe over at CBS. The network has cancelled long-running crime drama Without a Trace.
First airing in 2002, Without a Trace follows an FBI team that’s tasked with finding missing persons. Each episode follows the search of an individual and tracks the time that they’ve been missing. The series stars Anthony LaPaglia, Poppy Montgomery, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Enrique Murciano, Roselyn Sanchez, and Eric Close.
The series averaged 15.09 million viewers in its first year on the air and grew to a high of 18.68 million for season three. The show’s ratings have declined over the years and season seven has fallen to about 12.2 million. Like many shows on CBS, the drama tends to skew older.
As part of cost-cutting efforts, CBS put Without a Trace and Cold Case on the bubble this time around. Both Jerry Bruckheimer series have become expensive over the years and the network insisted on cuts in salaries and production costs. Both have had an upsurge in the ratings lately but CBS was leaning towards renewing Cold Case.
And then, Cold Case was renewed for season seven at the beginning of this week. As of Sunday, it was looking possible that Without a Trace could still return for a midseason run but the network has now decided against it. Costs and an abundance of new and cheaper shows are contributing factors.
Coincidentally, the series finale of Without a Trace airs tonight. The episode is called “Undertow” and revolves around a man who disappears after a late night dive. Oscar winner Martin Landau (Mission Impossible) guest stars as the father of Jack (LaPaglia) and Danny (Murciano) and Elena (Sanchez) take their relationship to another level.
Image courtesy CBS.
I sick of companies who repeatedly emphasize, through their actions, that they could not care less whether or not their customers are satisfied! Comcast & Verizon are particularly bad in the service sector! CBS & NBC are about as bad with entertainment. NBC gave Trump a platform & megaphone to spread his lies. CBS just ends shows…no wrap up, no nothing! Without a Trace is just one. They ended Criminal Minds Suspect Behavior in the MIDDLE of story with episode 13! Ever hear of TV movies CBS? Just leave millions hanging…no end!
I still miss without a trace . I watch all the reruns and record. One of the best tv shows ever.
Please put without a trace back on and Cold Case So much better then a lot of series. Why don’t you honor people’s choice
Am still watching without a trace in the UK. Brilliant series. Can’t really understand why it was got rid of.
Without A Trace cast. What are they doing now
I would love to know… All of the cast was brilliant…
Normally I don’t learn article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice article.
I just recently started watching reruns of without a trace,Wow GREAT show how could it go off the air?I really LOVE this show the actors are fantastic. PLEASE bring it back,Give it another try .I will continue to watch reruns until I have seen them all I really am enjoying them GREAT story writing.I don’t get why the good shows go off the air and the stupid ones stay on.
I’ve been an avid/loyal follower of Without a Trace and I’m extremely sad over the decision of CBS to cancel it. Why?
WHY DO THEY CANCEL THE GREAT SHOWS AND THE STUPID ONES GO ON FOREVER????
I LOVE THIS SHOW!
WITHOUT A TRACE WAS MY FAVORITE TV PROGRAM. NOW THERE IS NOTHING ELSE I ENJOY WATCHING. PLEASE BRING IT BACK. ALL THE ACTORS ARE EXCELLENT
I agree with you completely!!!