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 did CBS cancel Without A Trace? I do not understand the tv executives. Why didn’t they cancel Ghost Whisperer? The show has lost it’s direction since they killed off the husband and brought him back in somebody elses body. I stopped viewing it. It was just so corney! They should have fired the writers. Then they have Big Brother realty show. I am so very disappointed in this falls line up. This network is the most watch network as far as I am concerned but they are going to lose viewers. I know that I am not watching Flashpoint… Read more »
I love Without A Trace! I have watched it faithfully ever since it started and would love for you to bring it back. I always switch stations when the reality shows come on so if you are planning on bringing more of them on in place of WAT then you will lose this viewer.
Peggy summed things up well. I’m astounded by the priorities of network executives and their willingness to so quickly line the pockets of shareholders at the expense of a steadfast viewing audience that creates such a stable market share. I’m hopeful that another network will seize the opportunity to provide such quality entertainment, leaving CBS to stroll down its own self-destructive path. WAT is among my rather short list of (mostly) PBS favorites like Bill Moyers, Frontline, NOW, Charlie Rose, etc. I love this show and I want it back!
Is there anyone left on the planet that has any substance? If I were the exec’s at CBS I would be embarrassed at what I use my air time for. To cancel a quality show like WAT in favor of mindless reality shows to watch people degrade themselves is a disturbing sign of where your greed is leading you. You have a show with an intriguing storyline, quality actors and you want to throw it away. Unbelievable.
Another BIG disappointment! Bring it back!!
with all the crap reality tv on now you’d think the networks would have enough money to keep on the shows that have class and style – boo to the money men making the decisions
what the hell, I love that show. don’t viewers get a say. If it weren’t for the viewers, the stations wouldn’t have a job. Bring back Without A Trace.
Would you for once keep a program on that people like to watch. I can’t believe your taking this show off.
Why? Who makes the decisions?
Gary Unmarried, How I Met Your Mother, The New Adventures of Christine. They stay and Without a Trace is canceled. Doesn’t make any sense to me at all !!! 🙁
WITHOUT A TRACE was one of the best shows on television. The decision makers at CBS ought to have their heads examined. If CBS honchos don’t decide to bring it back, I hope another network or one of the cable channels pick it up.
i am so upset they keep cancelling good shows for crap like reality tv
what a mistake. only thing worth watching.
It’s crazy that they are canceling quality shows. Too bad because Without a Trace was one of my favorite shows. This will make it much easier to just turn off the television.
I love this show why does cbs get rid of the good shows for the this junk on there now I hope one of the cable networks will pick it up,.
Best show on TV. The only reason I would put on CBS
Once again, a great show gets canned, while the more popular “reality” shows continue to grow. I, for one, refuse to watch these stupid “reality” shows, because they are so far from real it’s ridiculous. I’m really ticked off at WOT cancellation and, hopefully, someone will realize this is a mistake! And, worst yet, we can’t even get Season 3, etc. on DVD. I guess I’ll just watch reruns and hope that Jack, etc. come back on another network?????