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.
well i have to say cbs made a big mistake to, i really think they should put it back on the air, i’m taping all the old ones, waiting and wondering when it will be back on till i checked here, i’m upset they took it off it was a great show, i just got in to watchin it in the last year or two, put it back on i bet the rating go up again!!! bummed in geneseo!!
I completely agree with Danielle. I love this show and have missed it dearly. Cold Case is good, but I would take Without a Trace over it anyday. Hopefully someday you’ll figure it out to put it back into production.
CBS, you made a big mistake when you cancelled Without a Trace. That was one of the best shows on television and the cast was outstanding. When are networks going to stop feeding us reality tv and stupid (not funny) comedy shows? I thought CBS had class, but eliminating Without a Trace shows they are losing it.
WOW. They went from 15 million viewers to 12 million viewers. I guess CBS thought that 10% of the people in the good old USA just was not enough people. Shame on CBS.
I am very dissappointed that CBS has cancelled “Without a Trace”. My husband and I consider it one of the few shows left we consider worth turning on the television to see. There are so many shows on now that are built around sex or gruesome murder. Even “Cold Case” falls under this description. It is very depressing. At least “Without a Trace” gives an ounce of hope that someone will be found alive! I also appreciate the effort to show a real missing person at the end of each episode. I have to say, I am not surprised at… Read more »
Why cancel Without A Trace? and leave Cold Case? Without A Trace is 100 times better!!!!
Please bring it back!!!
How oblivious could you possibly be to cancel out a show that has no match to it. There is not another show to equal it with anything. This show made you cry, smile,mad, happy, and brought out all the emotions. Similar to Cold Case, much the same, brings out all the emotions. I am sure if they budget crunched, they could have kept the show on and now depression along with everything else, I still think they should think this over and get it back on. Maybe, it is not as popular as it used to be but it has… Read more »
I agree that without a trace was one of the best shows on T.V. Of course it costs more to produce great shows. CBS should consider bringing this show back. It is unimaginable the shows that CBS has kept on the air and cancel this show.
Please bring back Without a Trace!!!!!!!!
That was so messedup that was my favorite show i look forward to it shame on cbs!
How foolish is CBS to have cancelled Without a Trace. I was, that is until now, an avid CBS viewer, but I guess that has to change. I don’t think your sponcers will be happy. Do yourselves a favor, bring the show back!
I am so disappointed. This was one of the shows I looked forward to watching. We have a 100 crappy shows on TV everyday that should have been canceled. I will not watch anymore series on CBS in fear that it may be canceled and I am again disappointed!
There they did it again! These shows added bit of a twist and change from the predictable violence and psycho plots of the police shows. We’ve watched many shows come and go on CBS……think we’re done!
I am very disappointed with the news of the cancellation of Without A Trace. It is absolutely my favorite TV show. It is quality programming and I love Special Agent Jack Malone. My second favorite show is NCIS. Please don’t stop making WAT episodes!!!
How could they cancell Without a Trace?! Most of the crap on tv now isn’t worth warching! Guess I’ll catch up on my reading