Pirate Master is Canceled

I'm bummed, as it seems that CBS has canceled Mark Burnett's latest reality show, Pirate Master, just as it was getting good. The show was somewhat ridiculous from the start, complete with the contestants dressing up as pirates and more than a few of them getting way too into their roles. But it was fun, and the challenges were interesting - perhaps the biggest flaw in the show was that they showed so little of those challenges, which had to last for hours and really be, you know, CHALLENGING.

Last week, the pirates who'd been cast away (kicked off the show) came back as a Ghost Crew, and for once, the gimmick of having evicted houseguests, etc., return made sense. Not only was there a real motivation financially (splitting what turned out to be $50,000) but the emotional motivation seemed palpable. Unfortunately, inane stripper/scientist John messed up and it was not to be.

But I just don't get it. The rest of the show is "in the can" and it's the middle of the summer. Can CBS really not bear to show more reruns of 48 Hours or Cold Case or whatever it might be? Shows on hiatus aren't a big draw - we love CSI but haven't even thought about watching the reruns. I don't really understand the thought of canceling shows that are essentially already paid for -- during sweeps, etc., I know ratings are KEY, but in the summer? Who really cares? All these decisions do is piss off the fans who were devoted enough to keep watching. To quote Husker Du, it makes no sense at all.

And for what it's worth, is the bloom off the Mark Burnett rose? Certainly, his other major offering, On The Lot truly deserves to get whacked as it's barely watchable. And with The Apprentice turning to a Celebrity edition next season (UGH), it seems that Burnett might be phoning it in these days.