It’s one and done for CBS‘ comedy series Poppa’s House, starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., which is not being renewed for a second season. It was CBS’ only freshman scripted series on the bubble and the only one to get canceled.
The others — dramas Matlock, NCIS: Origins and Watson and comedy Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage — all have been picked up for next season.
As Deadline reported last month, Poppa’s House had been vying for a single remaining comedy slot on CBS’ 2025-26 schedule with three half-hour pilots: the single-camera DMV, the multi-camera Zarna, and The Neighborhood planted spinoff. It come down to DMV, Zarna and Poppa’s House, with DMV ultimately getting the spot with a series order. It was the end of the road for the others.
While Poppa’s House has been a respectable performer, earning a full-season order in November with a pickup of five additional episodes, its ratings were below the three other current CBS comedy series that have been renewed for next season: Ghosts, picked up for two seasons, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage as well as The Neighborhood, picked up for a final season.
To improve its renewal changes, Poppa’s House was asked to trim its budget. While it is multi-camera, the more cost-efficient comedy genre, the series boasts top on-screen talent in the Wayans father-and-son duo.
With the cancellation, Poppa’s House joins CBS dramas FBI: Most Wanted, FBI: International and S.W.A.T., which also won’t be returning next season. The decision on Poppa’s House leaves drama The Equalizer as the only CBS scripted series still on the bubble with its odds for renewal considered 50-50.
In Poppa’s House, Wayans and Wayans Jr. star as father and son opposite Essence Atkins and Tetona Jackson. Wayans Sr. portrays the legendary talk radio host and happily divorced “Poppa,” who has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host is hired. His home life is no better, as the patriarch of the family finds himself still parenting his adult son, a brilliant dreamer who is trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband.
Dean Lorey, Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. executive produced for CBS Studios.
