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 kept looking for Without A Trace, Never iamgined you guys had taken it off. I love the show, I love the characters, they had become like family to us. This show is decent, don’t give in, make cuts if you have to but, do what you must. There are thousands of families that do not appreciate the garbage on TV today. Cold Case and Without a Trace are my very favoriates. The decline in the ratings will show you what a big mistake you are making. I hope you reconsider, if not, I pray another network picks up the… Read more »
I am soooo disappointed that CBS canceled Without a Trace. Come on CBS…can’t you get it right?
CBS I am surprised. Why do you cancel the good stuff and replace it with bad? I looked forward to Without a Trace every week. I kept looking thru my TV guide schedules hoping to see Without a Trace listed. Silly me I was hoping that CBS would reconsider the Without A Trace cancellation. Wishful thinking on my part.
CBS you are the IDOT’s delight…….. THATS ALL FOLKS!!!
You know, this isnt the only show. CBS is showing that it has no ability to listen to viewers. First they completely screw up CSI (All 3 of them) and now this. Boo on you CBS… hire a new program manager.
CBS its hard enough to find a show the public can watch @ home or in the theater that’s worth watching,we wont be mad if the show returns Money isnt everything…
U cancled Without a trace for the forgotten?……
Stupid
i wish that they would take off some of the other shows that don’t make sence, i like missing with out a trace. there are a lot if that going on these days and it is real life. i think that they writes left us hanging with the show.
I feel like all the shows that I really super enjoy to watch get cancelled: Joan of Arcadia, Men in Trees, and The Unit. Iam so pissed! Television isnt my life but still….!
I am shocked that they would cancel Without A Trace and keep some of the other garbage in the schedule, EX: Big Bang Theory, Gary Unmarried. Please!! This was by far my favorite show on CBS! What’s next to go Criminal Minds? I hope another network does pick up this show & soon! Shame on you CBS.
I am appalled that you would cancel this great show which I have following since the beginning. The actors are all top notch and the story lines are gripping. You can keep your mind-numbing new shows. I am switching networks where intelligence rules.
CBS, YOU ARE IDIOTS, YOU TOOK THE BEST SHOW ON TV OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT FRIKING BELIEVE IT…THAT IS WHY YOU LOSE THE RATINGS GAME OVER AND OVER.
WITHOUT A TRACE RULED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can’t believe that CBS has canceled Without A Trace. It was one of the better shows on TV and I always looked forward to each episode. I hope that CBS gets smart and decides to bring this great show back.
There was one decent show on CBS (ever) and you cancelled that!! There so much trash around why don’t you get rid of them? WITHOUT A TRACE had a excellent story lines and a fabulous cast! Maybe some network with more brains will pick it up!
I guess it just goes to show that money talks and boy does it ever. CBS cancelling Without a Trace is another big mistake. Hopefully one of the other networks will step up to the plate and grab this series and bring it back. I guess when you cancel a soap with 72 years behind it, a show with 7 years hasn’t got a chance. Shame on you CBS. I can’t say that I was overly impressed with your must have new shows The Good Wife and NCIS Los Angeles. But what does the average viewing public know when it… Read more »