CBS Officially Cancels 'The Unit'

By : May 20, 2009
 

The fans of The Unit collectively had the rug pulled out from under us today; the CBS drama was officially cancelled and will not return for a fifth season.

Is there one exact reason why Season 5 is a no-go? At the most basic level, it can be inferred that The Unit wasn’t pulling its weight in the ratings department to justify another go-round. It’s average viewership was somewhere about 9 million, but that tended to skew on the older side, a group less attractive to advertisers. And a lot of its performance issues could probably be chalked up to the fact that the network did minimal promotion, shipped it to a late Sunday night slot and aired new episodes sporadically. It’s damn near impossible for a show to get any kind of traction with that airing schedule.

You’ll also hear that the show cost a pretty penny to make and, on top of that, was produced by another TV Studio (Twentieth Century Fox, with CBS licensing the rights to air it). With a high caliber cast and crew (that all probably wanted raises as the show matured) and very ambitious on-location shooting, each episode cost a small fortune to bring to the tube each week.

And it’s a shame too, because The Unit was quite a unique show for network television today. In its stead will probably be some mindless drivel; either some ridiculous reality competition or another forensics crime show.

But that’s it: no more awesome tactical missions. No more homefront drama. We’ll never get to see any resolution between Jonas and Molly. We’ll never get to see new leadership of the squad as Colonel Ryan was promoted without a successor. There was so much more story to tell and a 5th season could’ve served to creatively end the series, the right way. But those 69 episodes will live on in syndication (rumor has it) and DVD so at least we’ll be able to relive the good times the show brought us.

It would be childish to claim this act to be unfair, but this little ranting will help me through the ‘denial’ stage of grieving. A solid thanks goes out to the cast and crew of the show, who brought us one of the most exciting and engaging shows we’ll ever see. RIP The Unit (2006 – 2009)



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  • Lucifer

    I still do not understand how they can cancell such an awesome show, look at all the other bull shit shows out there, for eg, Csi , Csi miami, NCIS and im sure there is many more crime shows THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME!!! The Unit was in a league of its own. What people have been saying is correct, the advertising for the show and the time slot for the show stuffed it up, not the ratings.There were over 9 million viewers regulary on sunday night at 11 PM, but look at the time slot, 11PM Sunday. most people work monday and that time on a sunday night almost everyone is asleep preparing for the next day. not only that, i did not even hear about the show, seen no advertising whilst it was being aired.I was lucky enough to recieve the box set for xmas last year, other than that i had never heard of it.Now CBS say its because of ratings, How about they advertise it better and slot it into a easier time slot. Even just bring the 5th season out on dvd. Its not fair to all of us dedicated unit fans to end the show at season 4, all the lead up to Tom Ryans promotion, Molly leaving Jonas, douchebag sam regaining trust with the unit members, and then what? we get stuff all. If they are not going to make a season 5, i wish i never watched any of it as all it is now is a disappointment. I love that show and im sure im not the only one. CBS cant leave us hanging, but instead they decide to produce more shit shows instead.BRING BACK THE UNIT!!!UU UU NN NN IIIIIIIIII TTTTTTTTTTUU UU NNNN NN II TTUU UU NN NN NN II TTUU UU NN NN NN II TTUUUUU NN NNNN IIIIIIIIII TTDamn u CBS

  • Bjones2174

    Now that bin ladin is dead, we should start writing letters to C.B.S. to bring the show back!

  • Cadrhld

    To those responsible for canceling The Unit, YOU SUCK!!!!!!!

  • Cam

    this is not right. THEY brought all of us home entertainment. Also the 5th searies has left many unanswered questions like molly and tom ryan. I think that if they bring back the unit for the only one more searies at least they can aswer all the unasered questions. SO this is wat they should do.
    1)Do the film no matter wat happen and screw the CBS
    2)Do wat ever to get the final episode done.

    I think we should do somthing, we need all the fans to do somthing cause this is not right!!!!!!!!!!

  • Josh

    “The unit” was one of very few shows worth being watched. In my opinion, one of two things need to happen.

    1.) Screw CBS. Another station needs to pick it up. Give it a healthy budget. Advertise. Back in business.

    2.) Movie. What would be better then wrapping up the story then with 120+ minutes of excitement on the big screen. This could be a hard task but if done correctly, could be very well worth it.

    Again, these are just my opinions.

  • GJ

    Hey everybody, I just finished season 4 of The Unit here in Holland. Without season 5 the series is simply in shortcoming! They really need to end this story!

    I thought there was NEVER an INCOMPLETE MISSION?! The series are a mission too! Hopefully they change their minds soon!

  • GJ

    Hey everybody, I just finished season 4 of The Unit here in Holland. Without season 5 the series is simply in shortcoming! They really need to end this story!

    I thought there was NEVER an INCOMPLETE MISSION?! The series are a mission too! Hopefully they change their mind soon!

  • Cowboy303

    Hi all.
    I can´t believe it. Even there is no translation in german i bought all 4 seasons, because it is the best show i´ve ever seen in germany. And i became more than angry if i heared that there will be no 5th season. “How is that…”. Here in Germany they the same. Only at one day late late in the evening. NO comercials. Nothing. (I´m sorry for my english).
    If i would have the money, i would produces it be my self. End of Transmission.

  • http://none David

    Hello!

    I am from hungary!
    There is a big fun team of this TV series…
    I am watched all episodes with subtitled,because no translated dvd or other version…
    Why!?
    Every body buy it in my country i think 100%!!!

    We need to finish the story with the 5 season…
    or more is better…
    No great series like this…
    Or make a new as like as tv series…
    PLEASE!!!!

  • sup

    its a letdown that the unit is not going to release a season five i was a massive fan of the show.

    in my oppinion the show had mass potential but was letdown by bad addvertising and tv schedualling.

  • Sarah Clemente

    Please bring back THE UNIT. It is one of the best TV Series I’ve ever watched. The moral of the stories about life in the military and their families back home.

    Who cares about reality shows, they are all stupid without no sense at all. Are CBS executives senseless like their reality shows.

    Bring back THE UNIT Bring back THE UNIT Bring back THE UNIT Bring back THE UNIT BringBring back THE UNIT back THE UNIT

  • Angelica

    CBS should just be called BS! I can’t believe one of the best shows out there is canceled! this show was awesome and had good morals and values! ppl should be ashamed of all the crap that’s out there on tv now a days. i’ll miss the unit!

  • http://na Jarod

    I’ll never watch CBS again…morons!
    Reality shows are stupid and their are to many ridiculous crime shows…whats wrong with ppl. The unit is awesome and not reeling in money because to many stupid ppl watching BS and Crap on TV !

  • Ty

    Don’t blame the US for this it’s ALL CBS. I think if everyone had a choice they’d but season 5 stright from a DVD and skip CBS completely!

  • steven

    bring back the unit as i have already read the story is unfinished and i live in the uk and see it to be 1 of the best programs on tv at this moment in time i aint up when its usually aired but i use the record on the sky plus which most people have so its less competition as even if your already in to another series they can watch 1 and record the other bring back the unit please

  • Jose

    bring it back…..bring it back…..bring it back…..bring it back…..bring it back…..bring it back…..bring it back…..WE ALL WANT MORE OF THE UNIT

  • http://buzzfocus.com Ala

    Plz,,,bring it back,, even if season five is the last season…..

  • hans viera

    please dont cancell this show !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Afo

    I realy love the unit, please bring it back.

  • jiff

    Supports the unit season 5 !
    I like it!that is good !!
    Miss THE Unit!!!
    bring it back!!!

    i come from Hong Kong.

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