Paula Newsome of 'CSI: Vegas' Expresses Shock Over CBS' Series Cancellation

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Arnold Turner

Paula Newsome, star of CSI: Vegas, has decided to speak out about CBS' choice to remove the show from its primetime schedule. She recently opened up about the cancellation in an interview with TVLine, just days before the final episode of the CSI spinoff on May 19.

"I was surprised when my showrunner, Jason Tracey, told me the news because our ratings have been doing so well," she shared with the outlet.

CBS introduced CSI: Vegas in 2021, with a fresh cast including Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon, and Mel Rodriguez in new roles for the long-standing franchise. Despite reaching nearly 6 million viewers in its third season, according to TVLine, the show is currently the network's least-watched original drama.

Newsome was surprised to see that our numbers were higher than many shows on other networks. Despite the tough nature of the business, Newsome is now deciding to stay positive and make the most out of this unexpected situation.

As actors, part of what we do sometimes involves waiting in between roles. It's important to embrace this time and enjoy it. For example, before landing the role in CSI: Vegas, I had no idea about it until two minutes before receiving the call. The same goes for Spider-Man: No Way Home, where I played an MIT bigwig. There's always time in the hallway, so make sure to make the most of it. When you have downtime, use it to travel, relax, or work out more.

Newsome, 62, is known for her roles on TV's Chicago Med and Barry, as well as in the film Spider-Man: No Way Home. In CSI: Vegas, she portrays Max Roby, the head of the Las Vegas Crime Lab. In the series finale airing on Sunday, her character is on the trail of a villainous tech boss who is using AI robots to manipulate DNA.

"In the past, a show with our numbers would have continued for a few more seasons without a doubt," she expressed. "But yes, it's been a good run. It could have been longer. I am extremely proud of what we accomplished."

CBS has recently canceled several shows, such as NCIS: Hawai’i and the legal drama So Help Me Todd, which featured Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden in the cast. So Help Me Todd will be airing its final episode on Thursday.

At a recent press conference, CBS CEO George Cheeks emphasized the uniqueness of each show. He expressed gratitude for the experience with So Help Me Todd, describing it as a moving one. Moving on to the CSI franchise, there are ongoing discussions about potential spinoffs. CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach believes the franchise is still thriving and remains a significant part of the network's history.

Editor's P/S:

Paula Newsome's comments on the cancellation of CSI: Vegas highlight the complexities of the entertainment industry. Despite strong ratings, the show's fate was sealed due to its low viewership compared to other CBS dramas. Newsome's resilience and positive outlook serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the business and the importance of embracing downtime as an opportunity for growth and rejuvenation.

The article also sheds light on the recent trend of show cancellations at CBS. NCIS: Hawai'i and So Help Me Todd have met the same fate, prompting discussions about the network's programming strategy. While CSI: Vegas may have ended abruptly, the franchise remains a cornerstone of CBS's history, and spinoffs are still under consideration. It remains to be seen if the network can maintain its dominance in the competitive television landscape.