It's time to update your bubble show scorecard.

Multiple sources confirm that cost-conscious CBS has informed the producers of Without a Trace and Cold Case that the long-running procedurals are facing possible cancellation come May.

"They no longer have the type of ratings that justify the massive overhead," points out an Eye source, who adds that the Trace and Case bean counters at Warner Bros. are looking for ways to trim costs and avoid getting the axe. That includes convincing the casts of both shows to take salary cuts -- or at the very least forfeit their annual raises. (As I reported last month, CBS is implementing a similar salary freeze at most of its in-house dramas.)

But even if new figures can be negotiated, the insider stresses that "it's not a given that either show will be back." Reps for CBS and Warner Bros. declined to comment for this story.

On the bright side, at least we don't have to worry about perennial bubble candidate-turned-hit How I Met Your Mother this year! At least I don't think we do. We better not.

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/03/exclusive-witho.html

I hope Cold Case doesn't get canceled. It is a much better show than Without A Trace.

I hope Cold Case doesn't get canceled. It is a much better show than Without A Trace.
I agree - totally unlikely we'll see it on DVD and totally likely we'll see it all chopped up on syndication due to the music rights. Boo. :mad:

I like them both, but to tell you the honest truth, I haven't been watching either lately. I think that they are both getting a bit stale. I think all the crime dramas are starting to look too much alike.... and being a crime show junkie, I never thought I would see myself type that onto this board.

I know re DVD. The period music is what made cold case. Too bad. Copyrights are important to writers, but it makes it hard.

I read somewhere a couple of days ago that CBS will ever can Cold Case or Without A Trace. I think right now Cold Case has a bigger fanbase. I wish CC would get released on DVD but music copyrights have held the producers back from releasing DVD's. I heard somewhere that if DVD sets were to be released they would have retail at $90. CC doesn't get enough credit or good treatment. I wish it would air daily on a cable channel like how the CSI and Law and Order shows do.