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“Is CBS on the Brink of Another Major Misstep? The Equalizer’s Future Hangs in the Balance!”

Added on April 3, 2025 inEntertainment News Cards, TV News Cards

As the stars align and we inch closer to the exciting world of upfronts, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re on the brink of some emotional roller coasters. Seriously, with May just around the corner, it’s like waiting for a cosmic event that could shift the trajectory of our beloved shows! Remember last year, the shock waves rippling through fandoms as NCIS: Hawai’i got the axe despite its hefty viewership? It felt like a celestial body crashing down, leaving diehard fans lost in space, much like myself.

Now, I’m looking at The Equalizer, and I can’t help but wonder—are we witnessing a similar cosmic fate? With April blooming and the spotlight on this Queen Latifah-led drama growing dimmer, it begs the question: Is CBS setting us up for another gut punch? It’s the only scripted drama left on the network without a clear path ahead, and as a faithful viewer, the tension feels palpable. So, let’s dive into the whirlwind of deadlines and ratings, the fresh contenders in programming, and all the astrological signs pointing (or not) towards The Equalizer’s fate. Buckle up; it’s about to get wild! LEARN MORE

There’s never a dull moment as we approach upfronts because there’s almost always some shows in jeopardy in the lead-up to May.

Last year, it was NCIS: Hawai’i, which was ultimately canceled despite being one of the most-watched shows on broadcast TV.

As a diehard NCIS: Hawai’i fan, the decision from CBS to end the show without so much as a conclusion was a gutpunch.

(Michael Greenberg/CBS)

I’m concerned that The Equalizer will meet the same fate this season.

We’re at the beginning of April, and it’s the sole CBS drama still awaiting word on its future.

Blind Justice - The Equalizer
(Michael Greenberg/CBS)

The network banished the Queen Latifah drama to the 10 p.m. slot on Sundays to make way for freshman dud Watson.

I’m calling that show a dud because its numbers haven’t been great, and the plot hasn’t been the most creative.

Watson is a Dud, and You Won’t Change My Mind

Simply put, the series has a fantastic cast buoyed by Morris Chestnut, but there isn’t much of note going on to make me want to tune into every episode.

Admittedly, I was stunned to hear that it had been renewed because it’s usually easy to tell which shows resonate with the CBS audience.

(Courtesy of CBS)

Moving The Equalizer to a later time period understandably resulted in reduced on-air numbers.

There’s a case to be made for the series to air in the 8 p.m. slot because it features high action, with a dash of procedural elements that make it perfect for leading off the night.

Had CBS been more interested in salvaging the series, it would have been better off trialing it out in the 8 p.m. slot another night of the week.

With S.W.A.T. on its way out the door, there’s certainly room on Fridays.

Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson
(Sergei Bachlakov/CBS)

Some of CBS’s longest-running shows have made Fridays their home, and rather than sacrifice a fantastic show like The Equalizer, it would have been better to try it on a new night.

CBS can brag about Watson’s success all it wants, but the series has flatlined after its premiere, which had a strong lead-in to help numbers.

The Equalizer Had Strong Ratings

The Equalizer was once very competitive in the 8 p.m. timeslot. It did move to 9 p.m. out of Tracker and remained a hit because the shows were tonally compatible.

I can’t help but think that Watson would have pulled in relatively similar numbers to what it’s pulling in now in the 10 p.m. slot.

(Courtesy of CBS)

I can’t shake the feeling that CBS is purposefully harming The Equalizer to make its inevitable cancellation seem justified.

12 scripted shows have already been renewed, and some spinoffs are on tap for the 2025-26 season, so there’s a lack of schedule space for The Equalizer.

Since it’s the only scripted drama on CBS still to hear word on its fate, I hope that negotiations are underway to keep the show around in some capacity.

The more likely scenario is that The Equalizer will get the pink slip, and a spinoff will follow.

(Michael Greenberg/CBS)

That would leave Robyn McCall and everyone in her orbit’s storylines incomplete, which isn’t the best way to promote a spinoff.

All I can do is wait to find out what becomes of the show, but I’ll die on the hill that CBS harmed the show and will end it with a less-than-satisfying finale.

The same happened with NCIS: Hawai’i, and it’ll continue to occur because networks can get away with it.

Over to you, The Equalizer Fanatics!

(Michael Greenberg/CBS)

What’s your take on the way the series has been handled?

Do you think CBS has made a big mistake?

Hit the comments.

Watch The Equalizer Online


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