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 was shocked to see WAT was cancelled i googled it tonite cuz i really missed it,i thought mid season replacement. take off NCS LA that one stinks. i love cold case too and that new one 11th hour that has disappeared too get with it CBS the reality ones stink,cheapskates.
Note: Could you play the final show again and let people know when it is on TV, day, time, etc. Thank you
STUPIDITY, what else is there to say. You did not even let people know the show was going to be canceled and therefore, I missed the final episode. Of course, reruns are on TNT, but you blew it. New ideas, writers or something, this show made you smile, cry, worry, and scared and there is not another show out there like it. Bad mistake. In time, you will realize that, I hope.
Sincerely:
Ron
I so totally agree with the comments before me. Without A Trace is a great show…I have never been a fan of all the reality tv shows and never will be….Please put this show back on tv….The only good night of TV on channel is Tuesday and then it is only 2 shoes – NCIS and the Good wife…
I agree with all the statements b4 me i still watch the syndication episodes on CBS and is a shame that they canceled this series, not only is it great TV its a lot better the the crap they show on the same time slot on other Networks, i mean reality TV shows are horrible, and Cold Case is a good show as well but if i had a choice i would have cut Cold Case before Without a Trace, i just hope the show gets picked up by another Network and that other people follow me.
I was shocked and disappointed to find out one of my most favourite shows – Without A Trace – was cancelled. Whoever commented on Reality TV – right on! I hate all reality shows. It’s reaching the point that there is nothing left to watch anymore. All the CSI shows are boring. Same old same old. The Border is okay but Traders was a much better show and it would be great to have it back on. Seems like a more applicable time for it these days. Hope “24” shows up in January so we have more than “House” to… Read more »
CBS axes WaT and brings in NCIS LA? Come on, man….
I agree with previus comments, what is going on, more reality shows, that is crazy, take out good shows and put more stupid reality show, shame on your cbs. what other station can bring on Without a Trace.
Can’t believe that Without a Trace cancelled, what is wrong with CBS?? Too much reality shows .. What a shame, CBS picked up Medium, what other network with pick up Without a Trace?
how stupid the cbs can be
I realized tonight after emailing and discussing with an aunt CBS shows, that I really missed Without a Trace. I had to google what happened. I can’t believe it was cancelled. It was a great show. I agree with another comment I saw that it was also a mistake to cancel The Unit. I was barely over missing Shark! It’s a shame when ratings can be good and due to cost-cutting measures or budgets, networks–in this case CBS, can’t drop really poorly written programs. I am a very disappointed viewer. I do love NCIS, NCIS LA, and The Good Wife.
Wow. I watch a few other shows on CBS. I was irate when I found out they cancelled “The Unit”. God forbid there’s a show that glorifies the military. Now “Without a Trace” is cancelled!!? This is rediculous. Let’s watch a whole bunch of stupid reality shows instead. What kind of people are making these decisions and why?
What a shame! Obviously CBS doesn’t recognize a good thing when it hits them in the face! This show was awesome!
This is the only show I like. I have received them by the library system here. Why are the only DVD’s for these season 1 and 2?? How about the others? Is CBS that broke that they cant mix them to disks and sell them ( all the seasons)?
I have been waiting for Without a Trace and now see that it is canceled. Please bring back a good show . There are too many bad ones for you to take away the good ones.