Amid renewals and cancellations, CSI: Vegas was one of those that was on the bubble and, unfortunately, the show did not make the cut. The show was canceled after three seasons on air.
The spinoff to the original CSI began airing with original series stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox starring in the first season. Soon, Marg Helgenberger would come back to star in the series, reprising her role as Catherine Willows.
Even though we saw the original series cast join, we also met new characters such as Maxine Roby, who is now the head of CSI and has a new team of agents helping to solve cases. Despite making it for three seasons, difficult cuts had to be made to make room for new shows and other programming that CBS had lined up.
Some of their new programming includes NCIS: Origins, Matlock, and Watson. Now one of the only shows left up in the air is NCIS: Hawaii, which is also in its third season.
Why was CSI: Vegas canceled by CBS?
According to Deadline, the Nielsen ratings for CSI: Vegas saw the series standing at 6.234M viewers. Even though the ratings had been decent, CBS also had to make decisions about their shows given their current lineups with their already renewed shows and new shows coming in the fall.
CSI: Vegas has four more episodes left to air since it has a shorter season due to the strikes last summer. So now, unfortunately, the third season finale will be its last. In the synopsis for the episode, which will air on Sunday, May 19, the team will investigate an explosion in the lab.
According to the synopsis:
" After an explosion in a bio lab, the CSI team races to determine which nerve agent left one of their own unconscious, while the others explore a dangerous underground tunnel to find another CSI who got kidnapped during the blast."
Will CSI: Vegas end on a cliffhanger?
In the wake of the cancellation news, if there’s a possibility it ends on a cliffhanger, hopefully, they could have the chance to do a special episode to wrap things up. Otherwise, there may be questions left unanswered, such as if Catherine will get to put Raphael Tarquenio behind bars or if Josh and Allie will figure out their relationship.
Sometimes shows do plan for the possibility of a final season, so that could happen as well, even though it would be bittersweet. But it is disappointing to no longer watch these beloved characters.
There will be a new episode of CSI: Vegas on Sunday, April 21 at 10/9c. You can also stream it on Paramount+.