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February 11, 2012
 
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The real reason The Unit was cancelled

by Allison Waldman, posted Aug 7th 2009 12:29PM

the_unit_haysbert
Earlier this week, I told you about the real reason Without A Trace was cancelled. Now, executive producer Shawn Ryan reveals the real reason The Unit was cancelled. "Listen, if the show had been owned by Paramount and Medium had been owned by 20th Century Fox, we'd be making the fifth season of The Unit now." You see, TV fans, it's comes down to money. CBS owns Paramount so it would earn more in the long run if The Unit made more episodes, went into syndication and reaped revenues for years to come. However, Fox owns The Unit. Get it?

It's too bad, really, because like Without A Trace, The Unit had a good 2007-08 season. The Unit's Nielsens were better than the previous year, and very competitive with Brothers & Sisters (although they reached different demographics). The Unit could have been picked up for a fifth season with some assurance that it would continue to be viable for CBS.

Ryan had a plan for Season 5, one we'll never get to see, but here's what he had in mind: "Bob was going to be training some young people for a whole new organization. Jonas was finally going to be seeing his run end. The final season -- and I figured if we got a fifth season that would be the final season -- it was going to be a long final mission for Jonas. He's not medically cleared. Mac has to go in and change the medical records so Jonas can keep up. We had a whole thing planned. It was gonna be good." Oh well ...

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George

I think you all dropped the ball on this one at the network, the Unit was awesome and gave a look at what our soldiers do in real life. I loved it. If you were part of the decision making when the Unit was cancled, just go ahead a kick yourself in the A**. I wont watch the station ever again.

Saturday at 6:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Greg

I also blame cbs,fox is not the only ones liable for cancaling the unit or other good shows

September 10 2011 at 11:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Greg

I want the unit to come back. I hope fox or who ever is in control of this thing to see that alot of people liked that show. There's not that many good shows out there anymore, and when i find one, it doesnt take long for fox or some other tv company to come and screw it all up. Just like " Tour of Duty" back in the day. That was a great show. I wish they would stop making these stupid reality shows and bring back something worth watching.

September 10 2011 at 11:55 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
sgray7062

CBS really droped the ball. The Unit was a great show. I thought maby they got to close to the real thing and the NSA had something to do with it (Turns out it's about money) not even fans. Mabe the guys should of gone and lived in a house together , acted stupid. Come on networks we are running out of good action showes.

May 21 2011 at 2:38 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
rbaracoa

The Unit was just great. CBS should have canceled that joke, CSI Miami. It was once a great show but since the unbelivble episode where the allagator attacked and killed a man in his swiming pool, I have not watch the show. The Unit did have too much of the wives but overall, it was a great show and I like many would have stuck with it.

May 18 2011 at 7:51 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
michael

One of the best shows on TV. Sad to see this go. The only real show I would actually sit down and watch. I will not support CBS in the future

October 30 2009 at 12:52 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
natalie

I can't believe they've taken off another good show!! I was really pissed to hear this. Now, what the hell am I supposed to watch on Sunday? Everything else was crap!

October 26 2009 at 2:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kevin

Now I know there is truly no hope for a good TV show lasting. The Unit Cancelled!? WTH!
Bad move. Best show on TV. Period. (action-drama)
Is there ANYTHING that can be done, petition, etc that could help to bring it back.

October 12 2009 at 8:36 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to kevin's comment
Jim

You are sooo right. The CBs executive who made this decission should be fired!

October 26 2009 at 9:38 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
AZdirector

I'm as angry as anyone about The Unit being cancelled, but I WONT blame CBS.... I blame Shawn Ryan... I mean CBS didn't make a great military-based TV show that focused on the realistic side of the soldier's lives and missions & then turned it into a JOKE after four years... Really Ryan?? Spy wives!!!? Are you DUMB? Give me a break, Mr. Ryan you can blame CBS for cancelling your show all day long, but you are the only one that needs to be blamed... you drove a success into the ground... so , I will not blame CBS for not funding that piece of crap that you pushed out last year.... Bottom Line: The first two seasons were really great, season three was getting weak with all the wives problems and ridiculous storylines that were a bit laughable at times... And season four... just terrible!! Which sucks because it really was a great show when it started....

October 08 2009 at 7:00 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to AZdirector's comment
chrisintegragsr

you fuckiing *******. id punch you in the mouth if you said what you just wrote in front of me. this was one of the best tv shows in the history of television. i am seriously into good and original tv and this is in my top ten ever with the best ever being band of brothers. you are an ******* and deserve a beat down. this isn't fake internet talk, i would say the same thing in person. name the place. why don't you call me 732 593 8092. ask for chris. standupchris@hotmail.com works too but call first.

March 25 2011 at 2:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chrisintegragsr

you fuckiing *******. id punch you in the mouth if you said what you just wrote in front of me. this was one of the best tv shows in the history of television. i am seriously into good and original tv and this is in my top ten ever with the best ever being band of brothers. you are an ******* and deserve a beat down. this isn't fake internet talk, i would say the same thing in person. name the place. why don't you call me 732 593 8092. ask for chris. standupchris@hotmail.com works too but call first.

March 25 2011 at 2:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris Freeman

I am tired of them saying 55 and up only watch the show. Im in my 30s as all my friends are and we allllll watched The Unit. I agree with others, I am considering NOT watching other CBS series to make a point known. Others need to get on the bandwagon and start doing the same thing!

October 08 2009 at 6:50 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply

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