Well, this is unexpected. Mere hours after announcing an expensive new deal with Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen, CBS has elsewhere cleaned house, wiping seven series from its slate. Some, like Miami Medical, were expected cancellations, but others, including the eternally on-the-bubble The New Adventures of Old Christine -- which earned star Julia Louis-Dreyfus four Emmy nominations and one win -- were a little more surprising.
Among the victims were crime procedurals Cold Case, Ghost Whisperer and Numbers, Jerry Bruckheimer's drama dud Miami Medical, the Jenna Elfman vehicle Accidentally on Purpose, and comedies Adventures of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried. Meanwhile, Rules of Engagement and Medium are safe for another season.
Ghost Whisperer has regularly topped its Friday night time slot and was considered the most shocking cancellation, right ahead of Old Christine, which would have have started its sixth season next year. Christine fans shouldn't worry just yet, though, because ABC has been vocal about its desire to pick up the show if CBS drops it.
Yesterday, CBS ordered three dramas, a Criminal Minds spin-off and the comedy Bleep My Dad Says. The Tiffany network has until tomorrow's upfront presentation to decide the fate of its other on-the-bubble shows.