‘Numb3rs’ a Real Plus for CBS

A TV show full of complex equations and statistics should add up to cancellation. After all, this is the subject most people dread: math.

But go figure. Despite and maybe specifically because of all the variables, “Numb3rs” has made it to a second season on CBS.

Viewers say they like to watch the show for the math, according to creators Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton. The married couple, who also are executive producers, explained their series appeals to viewers in much the same way that science-based “CSI” has attracted fans.

“Numb3rs” gives viewers a chance to feel smart, Heuton said.

“People don’t like to be made to feel stupid. A lot of people are phobic about math. But if you show it and explain it, people will say, ‘I kind of understand that.’”

Said Falacci, “It’s less like ‘A Beautiful Mind’ (a movie full of equations) and more like ‘CSI,’”

The series shows how math is used to solve crimes, and the underlying lesson is that people use math every day, Heuton said.

“We’re both math and science geeks,” Heuton said about herself and Falacci. “A mathematician looks at the world in a different way.”

But “Numb3rs” isn’t just about math. The series also explores the struggles in the relationship between math genius Charlie Eppes (David Krumholtz) and his brother, FBI Special Agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow). Charlie uses his math theories to help Don catch the villains.

Future episodes include:

A serial product tamperer who gets his hands on over-the-counter medication.

A case involving Native Americans; the episode guest-stars Graham Greene. The story focuses on a conflict between Native American beliefs and the science that the FBI uses.

A serial arsonist. “We worked very closely with arson investigators” to prepare the story, Heuton said.

Sleuth TV: NBC Universal said this week it will start a new cable channel, Sleuth, to appeal to fans of mystery and crime shows.

Sleuth will debut Jan. 1 and initially will be seen in about 5 million homes that have Time Warner Cable.

It will join the growing media company’s stable of networks, including USA, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC and Sci Fi.

For at least the first couple years, Sleuth’s programming will consist mainly of old reruns in the Universal library, such as “Miami Vice,”"The A-Team” and “Knight Rider.” The movies “Scarface,”"The Jackal” and “Casino” will also be in the mix.

“There definitely seems to be an endless taste for viewing of this genre that gave us a lot of confidence to go in this direction,” said Jeff Gaspin, president of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment.

Led by CBS’ “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” the genre is clearly the most popular in prime-time television these days.

Gaspin said he didn’t anticipate Sleuth will have any original programming for at least a couple years. The initial low distribution for the channel makes such an investment too costly.