CBS doesn't want to host a Nancy Drew series because it's 'too female'

So much for a modern, non-white take on the classic Nancy Drew book series on CBS.

The broadcasting giant is reportedly passing on an opportunity to host the series, titled Drew, after further consideration this past weekend.

Why?

Because it "skewed too female" for the network's schedule, according to Deadline.

Reactions to the controversial news circulated social media over the weekend. Many essentially called the decision a blatantly sexist reason to cancel a TV show and commented on how it reflects on the male-driven state of the industry.

"How can something be 'too female?' like full offense but there is not enough women onscreen," Tumblr user hedaalexxa wrote in a post. "I want a show, hell a network, run solely by women; that is about women, just for women. Show me more woc, w'w, older women, hell just women in general! Give me more women."

"Does cancelling a show for being 'too female' mean that we can also cancel 90% of TV 'cause 'too male' or nah?" User pepitamia wrote.

Others sounded off on Twitter:

Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/731949346669764608
CBS reportedly passed on the Nancy Drew series because it's "too female".

Let that sink in for you. CBS thinks TV can be "too female".

 Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/731884540436709376
Nancy Drew had three male co-stars and the show was still deemed to be "too female". Cause. Of. One. Girl.

 Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/731961444913143808
#toofemale CBS rejects Nancy Drew because that would mean hiring female writers, too. That's a slippery-slope folks.

 Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/732036954645233664
Nancy Drew is "too female" just like the sky is "too blue" and oxygen is "too breathable". Get it together, @CBS. #toofemale

 Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/732219070104240128
CBS cancels Nancy Drew pilot for being "too female". This was obviously a huge detriment to the 56 original books.

 Tweet Embed:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/731932037918171137
if nancy drew is 'too female', I guess I'm too female to watch any of your shows. have fun losing 50% of your viewers @cbs! #toofemale

And the winning reaction is...

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https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/732216678214447104
CBS passed on Nancy Drew reboot bc it "skewed too female" and "men didn't like it enough"https://t.co/BJzlFXXLHL pic.twitter.com/yOkzjT4fZh

Drew is set to star Iranian-Spanish actress Sarah Shahi as a 30-year-old Nancy Drew working as an NYPD detective in Manhattan. 

The network was deciding between Drew and Doubt, according to Deadline — both by Grey's Anatomy alums Tony Phelan and Joan Rater — and went with the latter. The show is now being shopped to other outlets by CBS TV Studios.

The silver lining? Doubt will enter uncharted territory for trans people. 

Described as a "legal drama," the show's regular cast includes trans activist Laverne Cox and thus will be the first broadcast series to feature a regularly recurring transgender character. 

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