It’s been a tough time for CBS Fanatics who dare to tune into the coveted network for their favorite series.
They dropped the axe on more fan-favorite series so quickly our heads are still spinning from these decisions.
Some of them are more shocking than others, but that doesn’t minimize the hurt it causes diehard fans, nor does it stop triggering those who still vividly recall the last time networks screwed them over.
Thus far, we’ve learned that the network will part ways with not one but TWO of its dynamic FBI franchises.
It’s breaking up what has become one of the most dominant blocks of television every Tuesday by shedding spinoffs FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted while keeping the OG series intact.
Now, CBS is saying that it’s last call for S.W.A.T. (for real this time). The odds are there will be no saving this now thrice canceled series this time, and the numbers don’t support a last ditch renewal anyway. Of course, the 10 p.m. death slot didn’t help.
They’ve used up all their Hail Marys. One would say eight years in this climate is a damn great run!
Motivating factors for those cancellations could be that all three were series derived from outside studios, and CBS/Paramount would prefer to stay in-house. There’s also a lot of behind the scenes chaos over a Paramount/Skydance merger.
When you factor those things, it’s this business.
But it doesn’t make it any easier on the fans, and worse yet, the vote of confidence is nonexistent when CBS keeps churning out the same type of content.
As it stands, it’s relying heavily on spinoffs and shows based on IP. Most of what was on the CBS roster checks these boxes.
However, the few shows we know may appear on the 2025 Fall schedule, promise more of the same.
Fire Country is getting its first spinoff (and we already know they’ll probably try for another), and it’s, you guessed it, a cop show.
Sheriff County will focus on the law enforcement department that crosses paths with the firefighters in the series, led by the incomparable Morena Baccarin.
Of course, she has a connection to the Leones as Sharon’s previously estranged stepsister.
And in an effort to appease legions of pissed-off Blue Bloods fans after that disappointing cancellation, we’ll never get over it; we’ll have a spinoff titled “Boston Blue.”
Yes, it’s a police procedural. Donnie Wahlberg will reprise his role as Danny Reagan, and we’ll follow him as he moves to Boston PD and pairs with a partner from a prominent law enforcement family.
Presumably, they’re like the Reagans, too.
Of course, that’s not all. We also have that FBI: CIA spinoff that likely has FBI Fanatics in a tizzy. Why would there be a CIA version of FBI in the first place?
How will they explore the concept of a joint task force between FBI and CIA agents? It teases the same formula of opposites attract begrudging buddy cops.
But after CBS dumped fan-favorite FBI: Most Wanted and the popular FBI: International, will viewers even want to give this CIA series a shot?
Why would they bother if the likelihood of it serving as roster filler and a capitalization of a franchise is strong, and it could be gone from the network in a season or two?
We also know that an Equalizer spinoff is in the works. It will likely still have a crime/law enforcement component if it’s anything like the original.
If not, it’s at least falling closer to Tracker territory. But doesn’t it all feel like more of the same?
On top of that, CBS is gearing up for Matthew Gray Gubler’s return to television when he’ll lead his own series, Einstein (because, again, IP), which will have a professor who is a descendant of Einstein assisting police as penance for some trouble he gets in.
Will I watch the series because I love MGG? Sure.
Despite this piece, I’m not even opposed to crime procedurals. I rather enjoy them.
But if CBS is going to take such bold moves as repeatedly canceling beloved series, some of which actually do well in ratings, for any number of reasons regardless of how many fans they anger in the process, it would be nice if they took a bold swing, too, to make it worthwhile.
They’ve bent over backward to acquire a modern-day Van Helsing series, but it doesn’t even sound as if it’ll have a supernatural tone in the least.
Since they let go of the acclaimed Evil, CBS hasn’t properly attempted that since. That’s assuming you don’t count the comedic hit Ghosts.
What will this version of Van Helsing be doing, you ask?
Not hunting monsters or slaying vampires! Nope. He’ll be teaming up with his ex-girlfriend to help her solve cases because, naturally, she’s a detective.
It would be easier to swallow CBS dumping some of its most popular series if they actually intended to reserve those spots for innovative new shows.
But so far, they’re just swapping out our comfort television for another version in different packaging and expecting us to be grateful rather than wary.
So far, it’s been CBS’ bread and butter as a network, and they’ve made it work. But for how long?
Will this process they keep following eventually backfire? If ever it was a time for it to, it’s now.
What do you guys think? Share your thoughts with us below!
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