CBS Cancellations 2020: Every Show the Network Has Axed

On Wednesday, CBS announced a slew of renewals for the fall 2020 TV season — and sadly, a plethora of cancellations as well. The network dropped a total of eight shows this season, including several fan-favorite newcomers. With the entertainment landscape more uncertain than ever, the network was left with some hard choices this year.

Eight shows aired their last episode on CBS this spring, whether they knew the end was coming or not. The network canceled some of TV’s up-and-coming series and a couple of well-established shows as well. The decisions were based on ratings, taking into account the metrics for streaming, on-demand and DVR viewers. Even then, these shows did not make the cut.

TV Line has been tracking the cancellations and renewals of all the major networks this spring, noting when one is officially picked up or officially dropped. At CBS, there are plenty of unsurprising renewals already — mostly big broadcast events like The Amazing Race, Big Brother and Love Island. Some of the long-running procedural dramas have already been secured as well, such as Blue Bloods and NCIS.

However, even reliable bets are not necessarily safe this year. According to TV Line, the chances of Big Brother: Celebrity Edition getting renewed are “a long-shot,” and things have not gone well for other shows that were on the bubble this year. The network has now renewed 24 shows in total, with very few unaccounted for.

Sadly, fans are die-hard fans are left to mourn some of their favorite shows on CBS this year. Here are the eight shows CBS has officially canceled.

Broke

Many fans had high hopes for Broke — a sitcom starring Pauley Perrette, and her first starring role after leaving NCIS. Perrette played a struggling single mother working as a bartender and trying to care for her son on her own, when her sister and brother-in-law abruptly asked to move in with her. The show had the classic premise of pitting affluence against hard work.

Sadly, Broke was among the shows canceled on Wednesday, according to a report by TV Line. The show finished with an average 0.7 demo rating, and about 5.6 million viewers per episode.

Carol’s Second Act

Carol’s Second Act had a lot of promise, with beloved sitcom actors and the inspiring premise of a woman in her early 50s pursuing a brand new career. Still, that ambition did not garner enough ratings to go on — with a 0.63 Live+Same Day rating and an average of about 5 million viewers per night.

Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds was not among the surprising cancellations of this season, though that has not stopped fans from being heartbroken. The procedural had announced that it would be wrapping up this spring at the end of its fifteenth season. The series finale aired last month.

God Friended Me

Fans of God Friended Me also got some advance warning about its cancellation. CBS announced that the show would not be renewed about a week and a half before its big finale. It put on a two-hour special finale episode on April 26.

“We’re extremely proud of the unique concept and uplifting stories God Friended Me has told over the past two seasons,” read a joint statement from CBS and Warner Bros. Television. “We thank the brilliant cast, writers, production team and crew for a show that stirred thoughtful conversation about faith, life and happiness, and made viewers feel good at the end of each episode. The creative team behind the show has one last ‘friend suggestion’ in mind, as well as an ending we hope brings a satisfying conclusion to Miles’ journey in search of the God Account.”

Hawaii Five-O

After 10 seasons, Hawaii Five-O was canceled back in February, again with an extra-long finale for fans to enjoy. The series was one of TV’s most successful reboots in the last few years, giving fans some hope that it would live on just as its predecessor did.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to a hit franchise that carried on the legacy of the original with such distinction, while establishing its own signature style,” read a statement from Kelly Kahl, CBS Entertainment president. “From Episode 1, Hawaii Five-0 has been a huge success for us. Thanks to the amazing talents of the producers, writers, cast and crew, it has played a key role for a decade on our schedule and helped establish our powerhouse Friday night. We cannot be prouder of its quality and longevity and are thankful for the passionate fan devotion it inspired.”

Madam Secretary

Technically speaking, Madam Secretary was the first CBS show of the 2019-2020 TV season to be canceled. It aired a shortened final season starting in the fall, with just 10 episodes. The series finale premiered on Dec. 8, 2019.

Man With a Plan

Man With a Plan was the longest-running show to be included in Wednesday’s bulk cancellation. After four seasons, the sitcom starring Friends alum Matt LeBlanc will soon be over. However, fans have some time to say goodbye to the series, since it premiered late in the season on April 2. The show is set to run through the end of May, though with the coronavirus pandemic halting most TV production sets, it will not be able to film anything new to say its final goodbye.

Tommy

Finally, the NYPD drama Tommy starring Edie Falco was also canceled on Wednesday, according to a report by TV Line. The series was got a late start with a midseason premiere in February, and apparently it did not hit the marks it needed to continue in the fall.