Here's a new equation for 'Numb3rs' fans to work on: does 22 - 6 = 0?According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS has decided to cut back on its episode order for 'Numb3rs', reducing this season's run from the usual 22 episodes down to just 16 and leading to widespread speculation that the series will be canceled.
Friday night ratings have plummeted this year, and 'Numb3rs' appears to be the first high profile victim of this trend; last week's episode brought in a paltry 1.7 rating and 6 share in the key 18-49 demographic.
So what will fill the void? Entertainment Weekly is reporting that CBS is considering 'Flashpoint' as a long-term solution, but in the meantime the network has ordered up one or two extra episodes from many of their biggest shows to fill their programming gaps, including 'How I Met Your Mother', 'NCIS', 'NCIS: Los Angeles', 'CSI: Miami', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Criminal Minds', 'CSI: NY', 'The Big Bang Theory', 'The Good Wife', 'CSI' and 'The Mentalist'.
In other words, just about every show other than 'Numb3rs'. And it doesn't take a genius to do that math.
Reader Comments (310)
Jim at 2:06PM on Nov 5th 2009
I love this show. It is well written and has a great cast. Do not cancel this show!!
Joan at 5:00PM on Nov 5th 2009
I agree. It's a fantastic show. Everything about it and the cast is superior to other shows of its type. Please don't cancel it.
Juney at 5:26PM on Nov 5th 2009
I love the show too. It's great to watch... and doesn't have all that "canned" laughter like the other shows !
mike at 5:22PM on Nov 5th 2009
I agree that this show has a great cast. I just think the premise is/was weak. Math is too central to the weekly story line. It can't realistically do as much as this show demands of it. If they featured some crime that they didn't or couldn't solve with math once in a while, maybe it would work for me. A big suspension of disbelief is required to buy into Numb3rs premise. They may as well use tractor beams and teleportation too.
Juney at 5:24PM on Nov 5th 2009
Numbers is great. It's not one of those dumb shows !
Why does CBS "think" that they have to dump a "thinking" show????? Are they "thinking" ???
Richard at 2:23AM on Nov 6th 2009
I agree Jim. This is an excellent cast with great writers. I enjoy the relationship with math in the plots. The writers are really up to the times on what is happening, and the generate excellent scripts. I would really miss this show if, in fact, it is dropped.
Lloyd Kay at 7:38PM on Nov 5th 2009
I agree. I love this show, please do not cancel.
The networks are constantly canceling shows I like and leaving ones I never watch, mostly reality shows. I like well written and wellacted shows.
Melody at 10:32PM on Nov 5th 2009
I love this show too. DON'T CANCEL IT!!!!
Bill at 6:44PM on Nov 5th 2009
It is one of my favorites, a never miss. Probably will give way to another "reality show". You know, the kind created for people with no life of their own.
Gerard at 8:00PM on Nov 5th 2009
The idiots moved it to a bad time slot. I still think it is WAY better than Flashpoint.