The long-running CBS series "CSI" may get cancelled. It aired its season 15 finale this February and fans may not get some form of proper closure for the show. According to a report from Deadline, the signs of the show's cancellation have been apparent all through-out the latest season.
The report states that the15th season has had the shortest number of episodes since the 2007-2008 Writer's Guild strike, totaling only up to 18 episodes instead of the regular 22. Also, series regular Ted Denson wasn't approached for a contract renewal despite his contract expiring with the end of season 15.
Deadline points out the similarities with the current condition "CSI" is going through with the situation faced by NBC's "Law & Order" which was cancelled five years ago. "Law & Order" aired its season 20 finale with plans of a new season to continue the story but it was cancelled and the show never got a proper send-off.
Another telltale sign of the show's cancellation is the below-average rating for the new spin-off series, "CSI: Cyber." The series was meant to be a stellar hit, particularly with its inclusion of Academy Award-winning Patricia Arquette and its subject matter focusing on cybercrimes but the ratings have been lackluster of late.
The network already cancelled "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: NY" and both reportedly followed the same cancellation pattern. Both series aired their final episodes before the showrunners and cast were aware that they have been axed.
Not all is lost, however. According to the report, CBS is considering a short mini-series send-off consisting of six episodes. This short run will allow the series to properly end and may even see the return of veteran actors such as Laurence Fishburne, William Petersen, and Marg Helgenberger.
If the plans for a short-run return do not push through, fans may still look forward to a limited series return. According to Deadline, the NBC network has been playing around with the idea for some time and this may be a means for the show to see a proper finale.
