Why Was ‘Scorpion’ Cancelled?

CBS premiered Scorpion in 2014, and the series was a hit from the get-go, the most-watched network's highest-rated drama series. Loosely based on the top-secret exploits of its executive producer, super-genius Walter O'Brien with the Department of Homeland Security, Scorpion follows the fictionalized O'Brien (Elyes Gabel) and his assembled team of geniuses as they tackle complex, high-technology global threats that Homeland Security doesn't have the manpower, or know-how, to deal with.

Initially, it had the help of having spiritual cousin The Big Bang Theory (then CBS senior executive vice president Kelly Kahl called it an "extension" of the sitcom, but in the drama world [per The Wrap]) lead-in for the first few weeks, but held its own. After four seasons, Scorpion was stung by CBS and axed. Why? It doesn't take a team of super-geniuses to figure it out.

Low Ratings Squashed 'Scorpion'

Scorpion certainly started strong and found a passionate fanbase, but by the time the second season rolled around, the numbers had fallen off from its first. Third-season viewership fell even further, placing it on the renewal bubble, and by the end of the fourth season, the series about secret agent nerds, once the pride of CBS, had become the least-watched scripted series on the network. After stopping all manner of global threats with their smarts and skills, Scorpion's team of geniuses was squashed by the most banal of reasons: low ratings.

Those passionate fans weren't willing to just let Scorpion go without a fight, however. Those fans launched a petition to save the show on Change.org, saying:

At last count, 40,000 fans had signed the petition, but it wasn't enough as the series would not be given a fifth season.

CBS' Troubles with Monday Nights Didn't Help 'Scorpion'

Viewership may have been the boot that squished this Scorpion, but CBS didn't itself help matters with its lackluster Mondays. Scorpion and its Monday night kin had the luxury of CBS having the rights to broadcast the NFL's Thursday Night Football games, which allowed them to move The Big Bang Theory to Mondays for critical ratings weeks. But in 2018, the rights fell to Fox, and The Big Bang Theory was now the lead-in for its spin-off series Young Sheldon. Left alone, Scorpion, along with Code Black, were casualties of a disastrous Monday night lineup, while Elementary would only get one more season before it, too, was cancelled. For what it's worth, the much-hyped Murphy Brown reboot was speculated to be the Monday night savior for the network (per TVLine), but, even after being given a prime Thursday night spot, it failed miserably, lasting only one season.

Scorpion's cancellation may have taken its fanbase by surprise, but the cast had already been prepared for the eventuality. American Idol alum Katharine McPhee, who played den mother Paige on the series, tweeted upon the news of Scorpion's demise: “Thank you so much to [CBS] for this journey, to my awesome castmates and crew whom I learned from every day and to all the wonderful [Scorpion] fans for being so passionate about what we created. we’ll always be a family. #TeamScorpion." Co-star Robert Patrick, who played Department of Homeland Security liaison to Team Scorpion Agent Cabe Gallo, added his own sentiments: “Thank you to all the fans! The writers, the crew, the cast, and [CBS] it’s been a great story to tell and a hell of a run! On to the next! #loveya #TeamScorpion.”

But sometimes fate rights its wrongs, and Scorpion, 6 years after it breathed its last on network television, has found new life on Paramount+, ranking third among all shows on the streamer as of August 2024, closely behind Yellowstone and South Park worldwide. Take that, CBS.

Scorpion is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Watch on Paramount+