Blue Bloods’ overlooked cast victim debunks CBS’ reasoning for its divisive cancellation

CBS’ statement on the reason for Blue bloods Cancellation contradicts the sacrifice the cast made to make season 14. The Tom Selleck-led drama about a family of Irish Catholic cops was one of CBS’ most popular series throughout its run. However, the network announced that Blue bloods would end with season 14 despite its continued high ratings, and later confirmed it was sticking to its decision despite a massive fan-led movement to save Blue bloods.

The Blue bloods The workshop continues to hold out hope that the series will continue, but there are currently only eight episodes of Blue bloods Before the show leaves the airwaves for good. While CBS is reportedly considering a Blue bloods Spinoff, no such thing is currently in production. CBS justified its decision to take the popular police procedural off the air by saying that The plan needs to be refreshed Blue bloods Was on so longBut this explanation does not make sense in light of the circumstances of season 14’s production.

Blue Bloods cast has a 25% payout for season 14

CBS previously considered cancellation on financial grounds

CBS took a long time to decide whether to renew Blue bloods for season 14, which was surprising because the series was doing so well in the ratings. However, no new deal was entered into until May 2023. Although it was disappointing that Blue bloods Was only renewed for one season, it seemed likely that CBS would again wait until the last minute but eventually renew Blue bloods For season 15.

One of the reasons it took so long for CBS to give up Blue bloods Season 14 The Green Light was the price of the series. However, the cast and crew agreed to take a 25% payment for season 14 (via THR). The number cut was Enough to offset the production costs so that Blue bloods Can continue for another time. It’s unclear what would happen if the writers’ and actors’ strikes didn’t delay the 2023-2024 television season. The important thing is that season 14 is moving forward.

How the pay-cut decision contradicts CBS’s statement about why Blue Bloods was canceled

It is clear that the main reason for the cancellation of Blue Bloods is cost-related

CBS’ decision to cancel Blue bloods was upsetting for the fans who had hoped that their protest movement would change the network’s opinion. CBS’ stated reason was that the network wanted to refresh its schedule rather than keep the long-running series going (via Term), which seemed to dismiss the millions of people hoping for a reprieve as unimportant. In addition, this reason does not make sense considering that Blue bloods was almost canceled a year earlier due to financial considerations.

If the problem was that Blue bloods It was too long, then it was illogical for the series to get a one year retreat after the cast agreed to a pay cut. Thus, it is much more likely that the real reason was financial. Blue bloods was filmed on location in New YorkWhich is more expensive than filming on a soundstage in Los Angeles. It has a large cast that includes famous actors like Tom Selleck, whose fame demands bigger salaries, and many actors have been there since the first episode, adding to the cost.

Blue bloods was always an expensive series to produce. Meanwhile, networks have struggled financially since the end of the writers and actors strike in early 2024. So it’s understandable that when Blue bloods Resumed production, CBS realized it could not afford a fifteenth season and decided to end the show.

How the potential Blue Bloods spinoff could save costs for CBS

A new series will be cheaper to produce

There are many possibilities Blue bloods Spinoffs that would be cheaper to produce than the original series. An offshoot would presumably focus on a smaller group of characters, such as Danny Reagan and his son, or Erin and Anthony. Shrinking the cast in this manner would save CBS a significant amount of money, as the new series would not have to pay as many actors. Additionally, secondary characters could be played by people new to the franchise with smaller salaries. The challenge for any Blue bloods Spinoff would be to preserve the family values ​​without including the entire Reagan family.

At this point, there is little to no hope that CBS will change its mind about the cancellation, especially considering the financial factors that went into the decision. If CBS really wanted to refresh its schedule, it wouldn’t consider a spinoff, which keeps the Reagan family alive despite Blue bloods cancellation. Also should not have accepted the offer of a payment for season 14.

Source: THR, Term