CBS crime drama Smith has been axed after just three episodes.

The network has announced that the show, which was up against Law and Order: SVU on NBC and ABC's Boston Legal, has been pulled from the schedule. CBS has not yet issued an official cancellation announcement, but the show's producers have not been informed of a return date and its official web page has been pulled from CBS.com's show list.

Smith's failure means that CBS is in the ignominious position of being the first network to axe a show - NBC's Kidnapped, which was not picked up for a full season run, is at least being allowed to play out its original 13-episode order, albeit on a different night.