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 loved this show! Can’t CBS afford ANY good shows anymore? It doesn’t surprise me that everyone is going to cable. A reality show is one thing but so many? A person would have to be in a coma to sit and watch that stuff night after night.
I am so sorry to see that this terrific show has come to an end. I looked forward to watching with great anticipation a great cast.
Dang they cancel the good ones and some of the stupid shows they keep on go figure
I hope the DVD’s will be available soon. As I have watched the first, second seasons over and over again. PLEASE put the other seasons out.
I keep waiting to hear when Without a Trace will be back on. I guess i won’t have to wait any longer. I agree that the days of good TV are getting further and further apart. I have Dish and get a lot of channels but I still watch for all the good dramas on CBS and NBC. I guess I will not be doing that as much.
Sad to see the end of Without A Trace. A good cast with great storylines. Sadly, its a sign that TV is heading further and further into “reality” crap that any sane person would need a lobotomy to watch.
Well said Pat – British TV is going just the same way – cheap, dumbed down rubbish, and we get to pay a `licence fee’ for the priviledge! We will certainly miss Jack and his colleagues – my wife has a very soft spot for him!
I also favored Jack! So sad they are not coming back. I wish CBS would renew. There is nothing that good to watch!
You made a mistake when you cancelled Missing without a trace. I looked forward to watching my show every week. If wasnt going to be home I made sure it was recorded.
We do not have every many tv shows watching worth watching now days. I think you made a big mistake. I am watching COLD CASE right now and I really like this show so don’t make the same bad decision on this one.
BRING BACK “WITHOUT A TREACE” !!
I agree with the previous comments. BRING BACK “Without A Trace.”
I also think Carmen has a great idea – Since Jay Leno is leaving that slot, maybe NBC will air Without a Trace!
CBS, get your act together before you lose more viewers!!
CBS should reconsider the move to cancel Without a Trace and The Unit. Big mistake!
Now I’ll have to watch my dramas on another network; ABC still has a few I think.
First they drop “The Unit” and now “Without A Trace”. How disappointing that there are no other prime time shows on CBS for me to enjoy.
I really miss Without a Trace, too, and am sick of all the reality shows. Which by the way I do not watch. Bring back Without a Trace and get rid of some the garbage comedies you have playing. CBS once again you’ve made a big mistake.
Hey, Now That Jay Leno is going back to Late Night 9: PM is free so Maybe NBC can Bring back “Without A Trace”???
I am really sad about CBS cancelling Without a Trace. What is the matter with you guys? That was one of the best shows on TV. Just when I finally found time to watch TV. Reality shows are for the weirdos. Bring it back please.
How could this one be canceled with what I’ve seen on the new crime show. This show had an outstanding cast & great writing! Too many CSI’s on BRING BACK WITHOUT A TRACE