Blue Bloods continues to be one of the most consistently popular shows on CBS, and network executives are clearly pleased with its continued high ratings. But despite the best efforts of the cast and crew, who for 13 full years on the air have become a family no less tight-knit than the Reagans themselves, to renew the show, Season 14 will definitely and irrevocably be the show’s last.
Unfortunately, not only the efforts of the Blue Bloods team, but even the desperate pleas and demands of the fans are unlikely to turn things around. This sounds rather ridiculous in the context that after the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the release schedule is supposed to be freer than ever.
But CBS has other plans. Without further ado, let’s find out why nothing will help Blue Bloods, including an active fan campaign supported by the cast members.
A Vigorous Effort to Save Blue Bloods
Even before the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, Blue Bloods was in a precarious position, and the cast and crew agreed to take a 25 percent pay cut to ensure that the beloved project would be renewed for at least one more season. The enthusiasm of the cast is not limited to just one season, and many have expressed their desire to continue working on Blue Bloods. Among them was Tom Selleck.
‘CBS will find an awful lot of people aren’t ready to say goodbye to it. The show’s more popular than ever, and I think [numbers] will increase with the interest this year. We’re certainly not out of ideas,’ the actor told TV Insider enthusiastically. ‘I’m not counting the days so I can do something else. I love the work. Sometimes the hours are a little harder because I’m older, but so what? I want work as long as they’ll have me.’
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As a result, in March 2024, fans launch an Internet campaign to save Blue Bloods. Viewers demand that CBS renew the show for at least 7 more episodes, ending the long-running series with the 300th episode. But there are also hopes for a new season alltogether. As a result, the Change.org petition has garnered over 17,000 signatures and plans to reach 25,000.
Even Donnie Wahlberg supported the cause.
The Decision Is Made. But What Is the Actual Reason?
But alas, no matter how loud the demands made not only by the fans but also by the cast themselves, CBS’ decision to cancel Blue Bloods is final.
CBS held a press conference on Thursday, May 2 to announce a new fall schedule with a focus on new series. Speaking about Blue Bloods, Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach said that ‘all shows have to come to an end.’
‘We love this cast, we love their passion for the show. All shows have to come to an end. It’s important to us to refresh the schedule. We are going to end the show come December,’ Reisenbach shared.
So it is with great sadness that we have to admit that the beloved procedural and family drama that has been a mainstay of Friday night television since 2010 will come to an end before the end of 2024.
However, we still have two more episodes of Season 14A to look forward to: Episode 9 will air on May 10, and Episode 10 will air on May 17 at 10 p.m. EST. The second half of the final season will air in October 2024 and will consist of 8 episodes. Specific air dates will be announced later this year.