CBS has been known for producing hit TV shows that keep audiences hooked. But recently, two of its series—‘So Help Me Todd’ and ‘NCIS: Hawaii’—found themselves in a surprising predicament. CBS attempted to shop them around after cancellation, but shockingly, no network or streaming service was willing to save them. What went wrong? Why didn’t these shows find a new home? Let’s break it all down.
The CBS Shake-Up: What’s Going On?
A Wave of Cancellations
The television industry has seen a massive shift in recent years, with streaming platforms dominating and traditional TV networks struggling to keep up. CBS, like many other networks, has been forced to make tough decisions, leading to the cancellation of several shows—including fan favorites like ‘So Help Me Todd’ and ‘NCIS: Hawaii.’
Why Were These Shows Canceled?
While both series had dedicated fan bases, ratings, costs, and corporate restructuring played a huge role in their demise.
- ‘So Help Me Todd’—a legal dramedy starring Skylar Astin and Marcia Gay Harden—had strong storytelling but struggled to maintain high enough viewership.
- ‘NCIS: Hawaii’—part of the massive NCIS franchise—had a larger audience but reportedly faced budget constraints and CBS’s focus on other projects.
CBS’s Plan to Save ‘So Help Me Todd’ and ‘NCIS: Hawaii’
CBS Tried to Shop the Shows—But No One Bit
After announcing the cancellations, CBS didn’t immediately give up. The network tried to shop both shows to other networks and streaming platforms, hoping for a second chance. But in a surprising turn, no one picked them up.
Who Could Have Saved These Shows?
Many fans believed that platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video could have swooped in to save the day. After all, we’ve seen many canceled shows revived on streaming services before (Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Lucifer, for example).
However, none of these major players showed interest.
Why Didn’t Another Network Pick Them Up?
1. The Streaming Wars Have Changed the Game
Streaming services are no longer quick to rescue canceled shows the way they used to. With rising production costs and a shift toward original content, networks are being pickier about which shows they invest in.
2. Ratings Weren’t Strong Enough
Even though both shows had loyal fan bases, networks and streaming services rely on hard data. If the ratings weren’t great on CBS, they likely wouldn’t perform much better elsewhere.
3. Budget Issues & Production Costs
Producing high-quality TV isn’t cheap. If a show is expensive to make and doesn’t bring in enough ad revenue or subscriptions, it’s a tough sell for any network.
4. CBS’s Licensing Fees May Have Been Too High
It’s possible that CBS asked for too much money to license the shows. If networks felt they weren’t getting a good deal, they wouldn’t take the risk.
What This Means for Fans
1. Is There Any Hope for a Comeback?
At this point, it looks unlikely. Unless a surprise investor steps in, both ‘So Help Me Todd’ and ‘NCIS: Hawaii’ are officially over.
2. Could a Fan Campaign Change Things?
We’ve seen fan campaigns save shows before (#SaveLucifer, #SaveTheExpanse, etc.), but there’s no guarantee CBS or another network will listen.
3. What’s Next for the Cast?
Many actors are already moving on to new projects. Skylar Astin, Vanessa Lachey, and Marcia Gay Harden are all exploring new opportunities.
The Bigger Picture: Is Network TV Dying?
1. The Shift Toward Streaming
TV networks are facing declining viewership as more people switch to on-demand content. Shows that once thrived on network TV now struggle to survive.
2. More Cancellations Could Be Coming
CBS, NBC, and ABC are all making tough calls on which shows to keep and which to cut.
3. The Future of Long-Running Franchises
Even a powerful franchise like NCIS isn’t immune to changes in the industry. Could other spin-offs be at risk too?
Final Thoughts: Why Did This Happen?
At the end of the day, TV is a business. Even if a show is well-loved, it must be financially viable to survive. Unfortunately, both ‘So Help Me Todd’ and ‘NCIS: Hawaii’ didn’t meet the new industry standards for renewal.
It’s a tough loss for fans, but this is the reality of modern television.
