It’s time to update your bubble show scorecard.
Multiple sources confirm that cost-conscious CBS has informed the producers of Without a Trace and Cold Case that the long-running procedurals are facing possible cancellation come May.
“They no longer have the type of ratings that justify the massive overhead,” points out an Eye source, who adds that the Trace and Case bean counters at Warner Bros. are looking for ways to trim costs and avoid getting the axe. That includes convincing the casts of both shows to take salary cuts — or at the very least forfeit their annual raises. (As I reported last month, CBS is implementing a similar salary freeze at most of its in-house dramas.)
But even if new figures can be negotiated, the insider stresses that “it’s not a given that either show will be back.” Reps for CBS and Warner Bros. declined to comment for this story.
On the bright side, at least we don’t have to worry about perennial bubble candidate-turned-hit How I Met Your Mother this year! At least I don’t think we do. We better not.
Anyway, what say you, Trace/Case fans? Are you going to let these shows go without a fight? Well, are you?
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Friday Night Lights (almost) scores renewal
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Smallville spoiler alert
I love Cold Case!!! It better not go away!
I could care less. We have too many procedural shows on TV right now anyways.
@knightryder hey, you must care because you said you could care less. It’s you couldn’t care less. Idiot.
They’re not gonna cancel them both, but only one of them. It’s gonna be Cold Case, because it doesn’t have as high ratings and demo numbers as WAT. WAT is getting pretty good ratings in a timeslot, where many previous shows totally tanked. WAT is staying.
Too late Trace is already gone
Love, love Cold Case and Without a Trace . . . Please DON’T cancel!
Without A Trace is already gone.
I just realized my comment probably would come across a little jerky to fans of the show. Really, I am not meaning to point the finger at these shows in particular. Like I said, I just feel we don’t need anymore TV procedural dramas.
I lost interest in Without a Trace quite some time ago, I think it was sometime during the inaugural Roslyn Sanchez season (sorry, I just don’t like her). But Cold Case is one of my all-time favorite shows. It’s gritty, heartwarming and entertaining all at the same time. Rush and the gang bring it every Sunday! And Tracie Thoms was a welcome addition.
Loved WAT for the first 4 seasons then it took a nose dive for me – storylines got old; Roselyn Sanchez adds nothing to the show for me. I think its time to let it go; it has had a good run.
I love both shows and would be sad to see them go. Especially Cold Case because it can’t come out on DVD (music rights).
But if they do get canceled, I hope the producers get enough warning so we can get proper series finale’s.
Can EW please start doing a HIMYM TV Watch?
It goes no love from the mainstream press!
I loved both these shows but now I only watch Without a Trace, and I could live without it to so maybe it is time for some new fresh shows to replace these 2
Posted on I must say, as considerably as I jeyoned reading what you had to say, I couldnt help but lose interest after a while. Its as if you had a excellent grasp to the subject matter, but you forgot to include your readers. Perhaps you should think about this from extra than one angle. Or maybe you shouldnt generalise so significantly. Its better if you think about what others may have to say instead of just heading for a gut reaction to the subject. Think about adjusting your personal thought process and giving others who may read this the benefit of the doubt.
To knightryder: I understand you weren’t trying to be a jerk, I am wondering though what you like in place of dramas? We have more than enough ‘reality’ already with Survivor, Bachelor, Dancing, Idol, etc etc. We are seriously lacking in comedies, but what else is there?
I just hope they don’t replace them with two new and less well developed procedurals.
I love cold case – why don’t they get rid of the unit and have cold case and without a trace run on Sunday nights.
Is there any news on The Unit yet? It’s a show I love but am constantly worried will be cancelled.
Without A Trace was a great show until the episode where the missing person was Jack as an old person and it was all a dream. That is when the show jumped the shark for me. I have never really liked Cold Case. So, bon voyage Cold Case. Please get better, Without A Trace, before you have to get cancelled.