We know that cancellations have to happen each year. That doesn’t mean we want them to happen. Even if I don’t enjoy a show, I hate to see something canceled because of the job losses that it means. However, I just knew what Watson’s fate was going to be.
When CBS initially made the mass renewal news in January, it was clear that Watson was on the chopping block. The move to Sunday’s death slot also didn’t help settle my mind. However, there was hope while we learned the fates of Marshals and CIA. When they were both renewed, there was no chance of saving the medical detective series.
Watson Isn’t Performing as Well as Hoped
There are some people who will think that Watson shouldn’t have been renewed for a second season. It didn’t perform as well as other shows, but it was fun, and many of us wanted to support Morris Chestnut. However, the second season did slump, and the ratings saw a bigger decline.
The push for it after a strong show like FBI on Mondays didn’t help that much either. So, it wasn’t all too surprising to see it moved to Sundays. I had hoped that it would be put on in the middle of two strong shows to help it — because we all knew Marshals was going to perform well — but CBS opted for the last slot on Sunday nights, which hasn’t performed that well in recent years.
So, with the dropping viewership, it wasn’t surprising to see Watson canceled. However, there was more to it than this.
There Isn’t Space for Everything on CBS
TV shows are canceled each year to make room for something else. There needs to be at least one new show a year, and the 2026–2027 season will see Matthew Gray Gubler’s Einstein join the ranks.
With every other drama being renewed, it meant that only Watson could go. It was the only one left on the bubble.
I’m not celebrating the cancellation, though. I can never, in good conscience, do that, unless the series is explicitly harmful. I don’t think I’ve come across a show like that, even when I’ve found something absorbed or what’s referred to as “torture porn.” At the end of the day, we get to choose what we want and avoid what we don’t.
Watson wasn’t a terrible show. No, it wasn’t as strong as many others on CBS right now, but it wasn’t so bad that I wanted to rip my eyes out — and I’ve watched shows like that! — so, I’m not happy that it’s canceled, but I do understand why.
Watson will continue on Sundays at 10/9c on CBS until its finale at a date TBD.
