Why Was CBS’ So Help Me Todd Canceled?

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As a dedicated fan, I found “So Help Me Todd” to be an entertaining gem amidst CBS’ lineup of procedurals. Starring the talented Marcia Gay Harden, who seized the opportunity to showcase her physical comedy skills as Margaret, and Skylar Astin, it skillfully blended the lighthearted irreverence reminiscent of “Psych” with a robust foundation in procedural storytelling, all while maintaining a family-focused approach.

According to Deadline, it was one of the network’s top rating earners. Yet, surprisingly, CBS decided to call it quits after two seasons in 2024. I can’t help but wonder why such an engaging and well-received show didn’t get a chance to continue its story.

It appears there were several factors contributing to this, with one being CBS’ aim to revamp their main programming by introducing new series. “So Help Me Todd” wasn’t an exception as it, along with other CBS shows that boasted excellent ratings, was abruptly canceled. Discover the reactions of its fans and cast, find out why the show was axed, and learn where you can rewatch the series – here’s a comprehensive guide to the termination of this popular procedural.

Why did CBS cancel So Help Me Todd?

In April 2024, it was announced that the show “So Help Me Todd” was canceled due to being the least-watched CBS drama during the spring season, in both traditional television and multi-platform ratings. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the show was struggling — quite the contrary, it was actually delivering decent viewership numbers. Furthermore, Deadline noted that it even outperformed a number of series on other broadcast networks that have already been renewed for the upcoming season.

The issue arose as the series that came after it, titled “Elsbeth,” was surpassing its performance. “So Help Me Todd” wasn’t losing any prospective viewers from “Elsbeth”, but it wasn’t standing out either. With CBS recently greenlighting three new drama series (“NCIS: Origins,” “Matlock,” and “Watson”), something had to change. It was a disappointing turn of events for a series that had been unexpectedly successful during its first run in the 2022-2023 season. Its cancellation also put an end to the potential crossover with “Ghosts” that Skylar Astin, the star of “So Help Me Todd,” had advocated for.

How did viewers respond to the cancelation of So Help Me Todd?

When word got out that “So Help Me Todd” was getting cancelled, supporters swiftly rallied to try and save the series. On Change.org alone, over ten thousand people signed a petition to appeal to CBS. Disappointed viewers also took to Reddit to voice their dismay. On the Paramount+ subreddit, u/galactic_owl27 expressed shock and denial, stating “I can’t believe they cancelled So Help Me Todd. I just don’t understand how they could make that decision after only 5 episodes aired this season, especially not airing them back to back.” Meanwhile, u/AfraidAd7098 shared their confusion, mentioning “So Help Me Todd is the first show in years that I watch as soon as it premieres. I’m completely bewildered by its cancellation.

Fans gathered in protest to express their dismay about X. “@ReallyMighty” lamented, “This feels like a deep wound,” while “@JLNow2” was more straightforward, exclaiming, “Are you joking? So Help Me Todd is an outstanding series. CBS, you disappoint me. I’m tired of networks and streaming platforms abandoning shows with devoted fanbases and tremendous potential.

On social media, fans generally expressed shock and frustration, yet their heartfelt sorrow and entreaties for CBS to reconsider didn’t prevent the cancellation of the show.

What other shows did CBS cancel alongside So Help Me Todd?

On the same day, CBS announced the cancellation of both “CSI: Vegas” and “So Help Me Todd,” explaining that both shows were ending due to poor viewership numbers. At the time of this double cancelation, “CSI: Vegas” had slightly more linear Nielsen viewers (6.234 million) compared to “So Help Me Todd” (6.224 million). Interestingly, despite being among the top 15 broadcast series in terms of total viewers, CBS later decided to cancel “NCIS: Hawai’i” as well.

Regarding the challenging decision to cancel three of its top-rated shows this season, CBS’ entertainment president Amy Reisenbach acknowledged it wasn’t an easy call. She explained, “We faced some tough decisions this year.” The shows returned with impressive ratings, and there was a sense of continuity in the schedule, she noted. However, letting go of “So Help Me Todd” proved to be particularly difficult for CBS CEO George Cheeks, who said it was “heartbreaking” to cancel the show after having such a great experience with it. Despite attempts to keep “NCIS: Hawai’i” on air, viewers seemed unconvinced by the network’s efforts.

Where to watch Seasons 1 and 2 of So Help Me Todd

If you’d like to rewatch “So Help Me Todd” or if you didn’t catch it when it was originally aired, you can find both seasons on Paramount+, where all CBS-produced shows reside. Some Season 2 episodes are also available on the official CBS website, but you’ll need your cable or satellite provider login to access them. If you just want to watch a few episodes or missed some key moments, you can buy individual episodes from Apple TV+ and Fandango for $1.99 each, or purchase full seasons for $29 (currently on sale for $5 per season). So whether you’ve been a fan since the beginning or are just now ready to give it a chance, there are numerous ways to enjoy this series.

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2025-01-29 22:30