CBS Cancels Two Original Series: Poppa’s House and The Summit
CBS has announced the cancellation of both Poppa’s House and The Summit, each of which struggled to make it past their inaugural seasons.
Overview of Poppa’s House
Poppa’s House featured the dynamic duo of Damon Wayans, known for his roles in My Wife and Kids and The Last Boy Scout, and his son, Damon Wayans Jr., recognized for his work on New Girl and The Other Guys. The show revolved around the character “Poppa,” a talk-radio host whose perspectives are put to the test when a new female co-host joins the crew. At home, the challenges of fatherhood become apparent as he navigates parenting his adult son, Junior, who is striving to balance his dreams with the responsibilities of being a husband and father.
As part of the ensemble cast, Wayans Jr. portrayed Junior, alongside Essence Atkins as Ivy, Poppa’s co-host, and Tetona Jackson as Nina, Junior’s wife. The production was handled by CBS Studios.
The Summit: A Quest for Adventure
On the other hand, The Summit was a riveting reality competition that thrust 16 contestants into the treacherous landscapes of the New Zealand Alps. Their mission: to summit a formidable mountain within two weeks, battling natural obstacles and personal limitations along the way. Each participant carried an equal share of a staggering $1 million prize, ultimately awarded to the victor.
Hosted by Manu Bennett, The Summit was produced by Endemol Shine North America, with executive producers Kevin Lee, Tina Nicotera, Sharon Levy, and Michael Heyerman at the helm. The series was adapted from a format developed by Endemol Shine Australia and Nine.
CBS’s New Offerings
While CBS has bid farewell to these two series, the network is simultaneously expanding its lineup with exciting new content. On the same day, CBS confirmed the series orders for a one-hour drama titled Einstein and a single-camera comedy, DMV. Moreover, CBS has also greenlit CIA, a spinoff of the popular FBI series, set to premiere in the fall. This new series will explore missions within the Central Intelligence Agency, retaining the universe established in FBI.
Starring Tom Ellis, known for his role in Lucifer, CIA is produced by Universal Television, alongside Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment and CBS Studios. Notably, the series initially was intended to be spun off from FBI with a planned introduction of characters in the current season. However, producers pivoted to secure a direct series order instead, and they succeeded in their efforts.
CBS continues to evolve its programming to cater to diverse viewer interests while ensuring a robust lineup for the upcoming 2025-26 season.