CBS is going to have some open slots next season after all.
In an year when some insiders speculated that CBS would only lose a couple shows, the network just canceled four dramas (including three veterans) and two comedies.
Crime procedurals "Cold Case," "Ghost Whisperer" and "Numbers" will not be renewed for next season. Jerry Bruckheimer's drama "Miami Medical" is likewise canceled, as is fellow freshman "Accidentally on Purpose," which mainly aired in the network's Monday night comedy block. Veteran Wednesday night comedies "New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" are also cancelled.
Several of these titles could have easily returned and, indeed, were expected to return. The harsh verdicts will signal to ad buyers that TV's "most-watched network" is not being complacent and that executives have faith in their new shows, though will doubtless disappoint some fans.
Also, the network picked up "Medium" and "Rules of Engagement" for next season, as expected.
With the CBS' upfront on Wednesday, the network suddenly has launched into a flurry of bubble show decision making.
The most surprising outcome here is canceling "Ghost Whisperer," which many insiders expected to return and consistently won its Friday night time period.
Another big surprise: "Old Christine," which has been a stable, if modest performer on the network's Wednesday night lineup. Also, ABC has consistently expressed interest in picking up the comedy should CBS drop it.
Also, "Cold Case." CBS was on the fence on this seven-year-old drama for months. On Sunday nights, "Case" ratings were admirably stable, if fairly modest.
"Miami" nosedived on Fridays at 10 p.m., then showed some signs of improvement in recent weeks once it was offered a lead-in from original episodes of "Medium." Last Friday, the momentum seemed to stall, with the drama backsliding once again to a 1.2 rating.
"Accidentally" may end up with the highest average rating among any canceled show this season. As part of CBS' comedy block, the show posted a number that would have been perfectly acceptable in most time periods. But once CBS sample the show on less protected Wednesday nights, its ratings fell sharply, showing the network its Monday audience was mainly built on momentum.
Ever since "Numbers" saw its episode count reduced, insiders have expected the show to get axed.
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