‘Code Black’: Is There More Life for the Canceled CBS Drama?
It’s not really going to end, right?
That’s the question viewers of the CBS medical drama Code Black have been asking throughout its current season after the Eye network canceled the show in May. And yet, viewers are continuing to show up to watch the show.
Case in point, for the episode that aired on June 13, Code Black won the night with 6.2 million total viewers (it also ranked third for the week in total viewers). On June 20, it also won the night, this time with 5.7 million viewers and ranking #9 for the week. So, should CBS reconsider its decision to end the Marcia Gay Harden/Rob Lowe drama? (The short answer is YES!)
Executive Producer Michael Seitzman has been down this road to some degree before with the series, which has been a decent performer for CBS since its premiere in 2015 but never a show that would be classified as a huge hit. “At the end of every season, we’ve ended the season to be a story ender for everybody so there’s a sense of closure not just among the audience who we make the show for but also for ourselves,” he says. “The third season had the added specter of a possible cancellation, which made it more urgent for us to create something for every story that felt like an ending to some degree.”
For fans watching the series, last week’s episode (#309) was the start of a run of episodes that will culminate with the series finale, set to air July 18. “The events of Episode 9 set off a chain of events over the next five episodes that send our cast both in various directions and thrust together and that was the idea,” Seitzman explains. “If you want to really enjoy the finale, you really have to see Episode 9 because the events of the finale have really begun for several characters.”
(Photo: Ron P. Jaffe/CBS)
To tease what we’ll be seeing moving forward including this week’s episode, Leanne (Harden) will be facing new trouble with teenager Ariel (Emily Alyn Lind) after the loss of fellow teen Max (Alex Lange) last week. Also, Willis (Lowe), who just had a heartbreaking moment with his father (David Clennon), will continue to be impacted by his family and that, in turn, will affect his burgeoning relationship with Rox (Moon Bloodgood). More stories will be twisting and turning like the relationship between Mario (Benjamin Hollingsworth) and Noa (Emily Tyra) and, as we get closer to the finale, Angels Memorial itself.
So, giving the strong showing that Code Black has been experiencing this summer, has Seitzman closed the door on a possible Season 4 should CBS reconsider its cancellation (or if another network picks it up, as happened recently with Brooklyn Nine-Nine jumping from Fox to NBC)? “I do have another idea for Season 4 and a lot of it has to do with what happens [in the finale of] Season 3.”
For many of the show’s fans, the story is not quite over yet and could have an ending that will surprise us all.
Code Black, Wednesdays, 10/9c, CBS
Conversation35 Comments
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O
It's not that the show is ending, Mr. Seitzman. It's more you have an excellent cast this season and you aren't killing off all the interns like you did in past seasons (couldn't they have just flunked out). This is by far Code Black's best season and it deserves another season. Take off a lower rated reality show if you must remove something.
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Yes like big brother survior get rid of that or the big bang theory or one of those CSI it's to many of those like the New Orleans or the original one not the LA it's just to many of them
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The original CSI has been off the air for several years. But I agree with you on the other shows!! Code Black is the BEST by far!
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Please don't end code black. Great show
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I cannot believe that CBS would take such a fantastic show off the air! My husband and I look forward to this show every week. When we heard that it was being taken off the air we were devastated. Every week when we watch the show we question not only CBS's decision but why the show does not have the ratings that it needs to stay on the air. How in the world do ridiculous shows like the Bachelor and the Bachelorette stay on TV season after season and yet Code Black is canceled? We cannot come up with a logical answer for that!!! Makes me wonder what is wrong with the public that they would choose a show like the Bachelorette over Code Black. Really??????
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I agree. Code Black is just getting better each week!!! Why cancel it... Cancel the stupid shows like Bachelor etc. They are so darn FAKE!!! Can't believe people actually tune in to watch them Week after Week. Not everyone watches those kind of shows. Keep the action ones going, that we can actually relate too, instead of all the stupid unreal shows. Please reconsider Code Black. Love that show!
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I totally agree with everything Lynda says. Couldn't have said it better myself! So much better than lots of the crap on TV these days! Please keep this show on!
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Please don't cancel CODE BLACK! It is one of the best written shows out there. I have watched since the beginning. Get rid of Big Brother instead. Sorry if you like that show.
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I LOVE CODE BLACK, keep it on. We don't have many GOOD SHOWS now on TV. If it goes I'll be watching DVDs.
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Code Black is such a great show and never miss an episode. Definitely one of our favorites.
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Yes CBS should save it. I understand, monetarily why CBS kept Elementary, but even FOX knew when to end Bones. Elementary is beyond being good for CBS while CB is doing very well, at least for a summer show and WTHOUT a new show helping it. CBS made a mistake but I doubt they change their mind
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One of our favorite shows, Code Black never disappoints us. With so many vanilla shows out there, why cancel one that is vibrant and loved by its fans? Please re-consider your decision and do not cancel Code Black.
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I've long since given up on trying to comprehend what is in the minds of "the powers that be" in the Television industry vis-à-vis their decision making process and, more usually, the lack thereof. There is little sanity much less logic in this process and I cannot imagine why, in the holy name of Zeus, these people would cancel a show with this cast, those numbers and, unquestionably, the strongest Season yet in terms of imaginative story lines and crazy mad good plots, almost impossible cinematography, acting quality and cast cohesiveness as well as superb direction! Like I say....I give up on trying to understand the process but if these people lose this one, they have lost their minds! It's a maddening industry indeed.
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I am so tired of the really good shows getting cancelled, but keeping the stupid reality shows going!!!! It's crap!!!!
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Yes, should be renewed. It's a hospital, people move around, never minded that. You should see what they do in the UK, F1s in, F1s out. For shows that last 20 plus years and receive BAFTAS. Stick with it, give it an anchor character or two, and write more great scripts.
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Please don't cancel Code Black. This is such a wonderful show full of episodes that grip you from the get go! I personally have a connection with Luis Guzman, he attended high school with my younger sister! Not to mention that all of us that love the show need to see what happens next. Please CBS, do the right thing for the fans of the show, bring it back!
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one of the BEST shows!!!!!!! Keep it going!!!!!
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#savecodeblack
DON'T stop it! I see it from very first episode and each is a highlight. I m usually not that fast "addicted" to a show, but code black deserves that!!!!
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Such a great show! I do hope #cbs reconsiders, or is picked up by another network.
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This is a good show in spite of its soap opera tendencies and bogus emergency room procedures. The main problem is that the worst characters are the mom and daughter. Get rid of them and the show might survive another run. There is no way a hospital would allow the distractions from medical procedures for a doctor to interact with a family matter when lives are at risk. The show was much better when it first started and the Harden character was not in charge and there was no daughter. When the show went to making personal relationships more important than the patients it became an unrealistic pile of garbage. .
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#CodeBlack great show- keep it going
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code black was the best show that cbs ever had …..think they made a huge mistake
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O
Love Code Black as much as I loved another hospital procedural, Night Shift (NBC). Both shows were compelling and timely. It's such a shame that both clearly have a sizable audience, yet are ended far too soon. Last night's series finale opened so many possibilities. The characters still have many, many story possibilities.
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O
After watching tonight's finale, I am amazed that CBS would cancel such a well written and heartfelt drama! Seriously, I used to watch the scripted reality shows like Big Brother and obligatory Rose Shows, but can no longer tolerate the mind-numbing stream of stupidity generated there. We all see you see CBS: opt for the bargain basement soapopera that costs much less to make, and ignore the high quality and professional drama worthy of esteemed actors and writers. CBS, you have nothing left, and I hope that another network or production company will jump on their stupid mistake and continue with Code Black.
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PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS YOU HAVE ON CBS
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#savecodeblack
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Please please don’t cancel Code Black!!! I love this show. CBS will lose a lot of viewers by canceling the show. This is by far the best show CBS has on their network. I can’t believe they’re keeping Big brother and survivor over this show. This is just plain STUPID on CBS’ part.
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R
This is truly the show I wait each week to see. It is a breath of fresh air. Tired of all the realty shows which I no longer watch at all. Give us a story like Code Blue anytime. PLEASE DON'T CANCEL THIS! Too many of the really good shows are gone now.
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bunch of crap.. just like wgn america pulling outsiders.. do these idiots exist just to piss off the public...they just lost the wed. 10 pm hour in this house...i also deleted wgn from my tv listings.. hope they are happy...
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Please do not cancel this Code Black, it is one of the good ones that is left. Great acting and great story lines. And I love the fact there is no foul laungage
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What are the demos?
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The all-important 18-49 demos are solid for summer. I don't remember exactly but I recall seeing 0.7s and usually winning the slot. Not bad for summer .
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Just confirmed, Code Black is consistent almost every week with 0.7s .
That's ok for a 10:00 slot in the summer. If the show is too expensive, CBS can cut costs.
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That's my recollection as well, Fred.
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Code Black just hit a 0.8 last night. If it doesn't adjust down, that is pretty impressive . Brand new Reverie slipped to a 0.3
CBS should most definitely renew Code Black, or another network should pick it up.
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