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.
Why is it that money and greed seems to be at the bottom of every problem?? There are so few really well written dramas on TV now-two of my favorites, Cold Case and Without a Trace. In my opinion, no one can top Jerry Bruckheimer for his clever, intricate plots. I cannot tell you how sick I am of reality TV shows-cheaper -probably but interesting and thought provoking-never!!
Is it possible to revive a popular show that has been cancelled? Let’s keep trying! I truly loved Without a Trace….as did many of you….So come on!
do not cancel this show it was my favorite show…. it is one of the best shows out there. they would be stupid to cance this show
Pls do not cancel this amazing show :((( dont do this with us
Very, very unfortunate. This is one of the better shows with very believable stories and characters. Hope it gets picked up by another net work
Not happy at all. Loved it a long time. Think about it.
this can’t be happening
how could CBS do that to us
i can’t believe this
I am giong to miss this show and the chararcters. The storelines were very similar to reality. I hope they land on other drama series.
Brandon G. Major
I cannot believe they are cancelling such a good show–I have to say this is one show I must watch–good shows as well as actors…probably won’t watch any other show now–hope it comes back. This is a show to reconsider cancelling…we record them too so we can watch them over and over… the one and only show we do that to…
Without a Trace is one of my favorite shows. Jack is such a great actor, which is rare these days. What the heck are you thinking cancelling this!
Please, please listen to all who have written, and RECONSIDER cancellilng this!
The only positive thing that can come from this is that I will now get some sleep at night, since WAT won’t be airing!
Ok, seriously why cancel a show that still has many years to succeed and only to put a new show in it’s place that we all know won’t do very well. BRING IT BACK! Also why are they only selling season 1 and 2 on DVD, come on there are 7 seasons, and will we even ever know what happens to everyone from the finale, I mean come on. These people need to get it in the head, if your on top of your lineup quit changing it. Plus why don’t they just sell to another network, one that really… Read more »
WAT use to be really good but the storylines involving Jack and his wife and Samatha became tiring so I stopped watching regularly. It interfers with the story and doesn’t add. Also I miss Vivian, who I think is the better actress.
why did you cancell a great show like without a trace they are all great actors i loved each one especially poppy and roselyn they were two of the best female actresses i have seen in all my years watching it since 2002 the story of jack and samantha i never saw coming and probably will never see again thanks for nothing
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-without-a-trace
Sign that petition to save our show!
I am soooooooo ticked that WAT was cancelled! The cast was great along with the story lines. Next thing you know, CBS will cancel Cold Case (another fav). CBS, you must have tweens working for you that you would keep those silly nitwit sitcoms on (big bang theory etc). I can only hope a cable station such as TNT or USA will rescue WAT and do some CPR to revive it!