The Unit - What it's like to be "on the bubble"

[phrelin]

From the LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-et-bubble10-2009may10,0,7619554.story): Employees of 'The Unit' and other shows teetering on the brink of cancellation await networks' decisions. "What the country in general is going through, if you choose to work in Hollywood, you've accepted a life that is constantly like that," said executive producer Shawn Ryan, who runs "The Unit" and created the FX cable channel's cop drama "The Shield." "There's no coasting along. They don't care if you're some huge star or an established writer. They'll take the best idea wherever they can come up with it, and in May they'll reevaluate where they are. Everyone has been fired in this business in one way or another."

In all, 18 shows across the five broadcast networks reside in the bubble, and have since March, when the decisions about renewal typically begin. The cast and crew of "The Unit," a steady but unspectacular ratings performer, have been here before, but that doesn't make the wait any easier. They expect a verdict from CBS on May 20.

[Supramom2000]

I loved the season finale. I guess I could take it as a wrap-up if needed, but I hope not. I would love to have a season where the new wife, Jocelyn (I think) takes over the leadership role of the wives, even though she is the newest one.

I never cared a lot for Molly, but the show kind of takes turns painting a different wife as the loose cannon. She becomes the lone dissenter and trouble maker.

Anway, we shall see. Thanks Phrelin, for keeping us updated.

[fluffybear]

I saw an article the other day where last week "The Unit" was one of the 10 most downloaded shows. CBS has done everything it could to kill off this show but while ratings may not be what they would like, it does have a loyal following.

[jodyguercio]

Sunday at 10 pm killed (or will have killed) the show.

[pfp]

I really hope this show comes back, preferably in a better time slot.

[Nick]

Actually, I think 'The Unit' would be a better fit on FOX or TNT.
If CBS cancels, someone will surely pick it up.

[jodyguercio]

Actually, I think 'The Unit' would be a better fit on FOX or TNT.
If CBS cancels, someone will surely pick it up.

Lots of people were hoping that for Moonlight and Jericho but that hasn't happened yet. I think (this is just an opinion not a fact) that once a show gets canceled it has a rough time getting picked back up.

[fluffybear]

I think CBS holding off to inform producers of their intent is either a good sign or a way to be sure that no other network has time to pick the show up.
From everything I have read, one of the biggest things going against "The Unit" is cost.

[ThomasM]

When CBS wants to kill a (good) show, they put it on Sunday night at 10PM ET. Works every time. Remember "Shark"?? That was a GREAT show....until it ended up in CBS' "death time slot".

[Marlin Guy]

I'd like to see the show moved from CBS and put on FX where it can stretch its legs.
They need to get a knowlegable and experienced tech advisor and they need to cut WAY back on the soap opera BS backstories with the women.
Toss some "Shield" style adult content in there and some seriously thought out plotlines with tactics that actually make sense, and it could be great.

As it is now, it's lame and ridiculous, and it needs to go.

Best part of this season was the scene showing frogeyes walking away, hopefully for good.

[Supramom2000]

I'd like to see the show moved from CBS and put on FX where it can stretch its legs.
They need to get a knowlegable and experienced tech advisor and they need to cut WAY back on the soap opera BS backstories with the women.
Toss some "Shield" style adult content in there and some seriously thought out plotlines with tactics that actually make sense, and it could be great.

As it is now, it's lame and ridiculous, and it needs to go.

Best part of this season was the scene showing frogeyes walking away, hopefully for good.

I agree that the soap stuff got to be, well - too soapy. And I also agree that I don't like how the actress who portrays Molly does her portrayal. I will also be glad to see her go. But you have to have some family life, or it is not a realistic portrayal of military life. And while I would still watch it if it was all action and no families, it would lessen its impact in my opinion. Many soldiers do what they do for love of country and family. We need to see the family.

[Sharkie_Fan]

I'm probably in the minority... but I wouldn't watch the show if it switched to FX and wend with 'adult content like the Shield'.

I think they went a bit overboard with the women's storylines, but I agree with supramom.... they need a mix of the army life and the family life.

I originally liked Molly, but after the last few episodes of this season, especially, I'm glad to see her go.

I really hope the show comes back for another season, but I think it might be done. I had fallen behind, and so I just watched the final episode this morning, and IMO, that wasn't the season finale of a show that expects to return for another season.

Colonel Ryan took his promotion, Kim Brown got her kids back, they had a nice little wedding, and everyone can ride off into the sunset at Fort Griffith together. It just felt to me, like they were wrapping up as many loose ends as they could anticipating this would be it.

[fluffybear]

I really hope the show comes back for another season, but I think it might be done. I had fallen behind, and so I just watched the final episode this morning, and IMO, that wasn't the season finale of a show that expects to return for another season.

Colonel Ryan took his promotion, Kim Brown got her kids back, they had a nice little wedding, and everyone can ride off into the sunset at Fort Griffith together. It just felt to me, like they were wrapping up as many loose ends as they could anticipating this would be it.

That is kind of how I saw the episode as well.

[phrelin]

It died (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i8c1b0c018a8f12987206ec3d2ca67ddf). R I P :(

[fluffybear]

It died (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i8c1b0c018a8f12987206ec3d2ca67ddf). R I P :(

:crying:

[pfp]

http://www.sizethis.com/s/b/super_smilies058.gif

[Sharkie_Fan]

If the networks keep killing off my shows, I'm going to be left with nothing to watch!

It's been a while since we picked up a new show... and slowly our old shows are dying off. I think the only "new" show that's made it to our to do list is Private Practice, which isn't an entirely new show.

We're down to 6 or 8 shows a week that we're watching regularly, and that was before the Unit got axed, and before Without a Trace (presumably) meets the same fate.