CBS axes four, renews five

UPFRONTS: US broadcast network CBS has axed four series, including sitcom Kevin Can Wait, and renewed four dramas, ahead of its Upfront presentation on Wednesday.

Starring Kevin James (The King of Queens), Kevin Can Wait has been cancelled after two seasons. The show’s executive producer Andy Fickman confirmed the news via social media yesterday.

Well folks that sadly is a series wrap on Kevin Can Wait. So proud of what we did and this remarkable and talented Cast, Writers & Crew. Also a special thanks to the amazing people of Long Island who welcomed us with open hearts! Onward to the next exciting adventures but will carry treasured memories of KCW with me!

A post shared by Andy Fickman (@herrdirektor) on May 12, 2018 at 2:30pm PDT

The multi-camera comedy about a retired cop was produced by Sony Pictures TV (SPT), CBS TV Studios, Hey Eddie Productions and Mohawk Productions, with SPT also distributing.

Other cancellations by CBS over the weekend include drama Scorpion, after four seasons, and comedy Superior Donuts, after two. One of the stars of Scorpion, Katherine McPhee, confirmed the news on social media, as did Superior Donuts star Maz Jobrani.

thank you so much to @CBS for this journey, to my awesome cast mates and crew whom I learned from every day and to all the wonderful @ScorpionCBS fans for being so passionate about what we created. we’ll always be a family. #TeamScorpion pic.twitter.com/ylAMMakQbT

— Kat McPhee (@katharinemcphee) May 12, 2018

Scorpion, loosely based on the life of computer expert Walter O’Brien, was produced and distributed by CBS TV Studios while Superior Donuts, based on the play of the same name by Tracy Letts, was from the same studio.

Just found out @CBS cancelled @SuperiorDonuts – it was such a fun show to do w/a great cast. Thanks to all who watched us and thanks to CBS for having us on. Here’s a letter my 7yr old girl wrote to them. On to the next phase! #SuperiorDonuts pic.twitter.com/bbISjp5FBp

— MazJobrani (@MazJobrani) May 12, 2018

CBS is also understood to have pulled the plug on sitcom 9JKL, after one season.

Aside from the cancellations, CBS has added dramas Elementary, Instinct and Criminal Minds, as well as comedies Life in Pieces and Man With a Plan, to its list of returning shows for the 2018/19 season.