Girlfriends: Cancelled, Proper Series Finale Too Expensive
As discussed here on Tuesday, the long-running CW sitcom, Girlfriends, is saying goodbye after eight seasons. As tough as that is for fans of the show to hear, it’s made even worse by the notion that the show won’t be going back into production to film any more episodes to give some sort of closure for the characters.
It turns out, as one might expect, that the reason is pure economics. The CW network has said that they’re only resuming production on TV series which the network is considering renewing next season. Since the ratings have been down for Girlfriends, they’re canceling the sitcom and that apparently makes it a lame duck.
Orlando Sentinel’s Hal Boedeker reports that a spokesperson for the CW said, “This was a very difficult decision for us, and was based solely on the considerable cost to license each episode in an extremely unusual business environment.”
But wait, after bringing the CW and UPN networks millions and millions of dollars in ad revenue over the past eight years, don’t the show and it’s fans deserve a proper send-off?
Girlfriends creator Mara Brock Akil is philosophical about the cancellation and said, “Although it’s always difficult to say goodbye, I choose to focus my energy on the history that Girlfriends has made, the human stories that we told, the beautifully complex images that we projected and the blessings 172 episodes bestowed on us, both personally and professionally.”
She went on to say, “I am immensely thankful to the amazingly talented cast, writers, directors, staff and crew for their endless dedication and hard work for eight seasons, to the network that always wanted us and the studio that always supported us, but mostly to the audience, especially African-American women, who took the time to tune into us every Monday night at nine to have a dialogue with us and who have been our partner in this journey.”
As far as the series finale, it looks like it will indeed be some sort of compilation of clips. Akil said, “I am currently in talks with the studio and network on putting together a retrospective show which will honor and celebrate this landmark series, so please stay tuned.” 
March 5th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I liked Girlfriends and though the show is not as good as it had been in the past, it deserves a proper send-off. The fans deserve closure. I think the CW needs to be reminded who supoorts its shows. Send your comments about their insensitive, greed-oriented reasons for refsuing to do a series finale to : feedback@CWTV.com. I got the email address from the CW’s website. Let them hear from us!
March 4th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
If its money we the “REAL” fans could do a fund raiser for a 30 min fair-well show.If we pool our money together and they(CW) come up with some themselves,it can happen! To just leave us hanging is an insult to me.I knew it had to end someday but not like this.My family knew Mondays and even the few Sundays it aired was leave me alone time. Flood their phones,website,and e-mail whatever it takes.If promoted correctly, it can happen people!
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
It is truly sad when we have positive shows that cast a relationship among black women in diverse levels of there adulthood get cancelled in the middle of a season without a finale. Even though Joan was not going to get married because her fiance was going to get killed in Iraq, they could have finished the season out with a reunion between her and Toni. Besides The Game and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, what do we as black americans have as a good tv anymore. It is always money and not a black thing, right???
February 25th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I know all about economics. But what happened to loyalty? CW owes it to the loyal viewers like myself who have hung in there with “Girlfriends”. Some, like myself, hung in there even after Jill Marie Jones left the show. It wasn’t the same. I didn’t like it as much but I hung in there. Since the very first episode, “Toe-Sucking” pilot, “Joan” wanted a husband and a family and now eight years later you are telling us that we won’t see it happen. How dare you treat fan this way. Give us the wedding. Let us hear Joan find out that she’s pregnant. Let us see Toni and Joan finally make peace with each other. YOU OWE US THAT!
February 24th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Why is it positive shows that respects us, never gets a fair deal? If it were a negative show it would still be on.
February 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
iI am recovering from a strock, Girlfriends was one of the shows that has brought me some joy. I don’t have much to look forward to but I had Girlfriends. If you can bring it back.
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Wow, I am outraged at this decision. I have always wanted to write for this show. Now, we have no major black cast on a major network…figures. Well, lets see what the futures hold for us now. They still should do a season finale spend a little extra cash and I am sure if they advertise/promote right they will regret making that the final episode
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Girlfriends has been cancelled. Only 13 episodes have been shot and they have all been aired. Even though the writers strike is over, The CW will not put Girlfriends back on for the remaining 9 episodes and they will not give Girlfriends a Series finale. The creator of Girlfriends is trying to get something done for Girlfriends but has no luck yet. I urge all fans of Girlfriends to call the following numbers to complain about the cancellation: 1-818-977-2525 (Dawn Ostroff, President of Entertainment (CW); 1-818-977-2537 (Traci Blackwell, Director of Current Entertainment (CW); 1-323-575-2380 (Nancy Tellem, President of CBS Paramount Network) or email Nancy Tellem at nancy.tellem@tvc.cbs.com Please no matter what don’t give up on Girlfriends. We fans have to do all we can to try to get Girlfriends back. The fans of Jericho got the network to bring it back so I think the fans of Girlfriends will be able to get our show back. Girlfriends is not the lowest rated show on the CW yet they are cancelling it. So, let us fans stick together and get Joan, Maya, Lynn, Monica, and William another chance because I’ve heard that the creator was gonna try to bring Toni back and I know everyone wants to see that. So, please call in and email and don’t stop til we get something moving. Much love
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
You have to do a series finale of Girlfriends after watching this show season after season waiting for Joan to finally have her man and get married. These women have put their heart and soul into this show and as for the people behind the scenes who work their butts off putting a show together week after week. It already is bad that I have gotten into so many shows and then they get cancelled without a proper good-bye. Expensive? Yeah right ! Come on and please finish the show the right way we all deserve to at least have the show be complete. Or if not we will be sitting somewhere and wonder how the show would end. I have always wonder how some shows from the past would end like Moesha, Missing, Eve, All Of Us, One On One, Half & Half, and etc. Please let at least this show get a proper send-off since I cannot get finales from other shows I have watched in the past.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
To expensive?? Give me a break, these people are making gazillions!!!! It goes to show that Hollywood doesn’t give a fluck about the African American community.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
[...] Figures. *unsheathes sword* [...]
February 19th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I had a feeling the show was ending when Toni left and I’m glad it hung around long enough for Joan to get a man but to end it like they did was a slap in the face of all the fans! The letter about Aaron coming home was a beautiful touch but what would be more special is the actual reunion of Joan and Aaron and end the series with their wedding. And as big as Monica was in that last episode, she could possibly go into labor just as Joan is about to say “I do”. Just a thought.
Let’s pray that the bigger networks will come up with more ethnic shows for us to watch. I still have Shemar Moore on CRIMINAL MINDS and Lucy Liu on CASHMERE MAFIA. The cast doesn’t have to be predominantly African American, Hispanic or Asian not to mention the many other minorities under-represented on television. And when they do come up with the shows, let’s pray they aren’t stereotyped as they have been in the past because believe it or not, we’ve all evolved and television needs to reflect that!
February 19th, 2008 at 6:12 am
I am so disappointed!! I faithfully watch Girlfriends every Monday night. Actually, this is the only show on tv that I schedule throughout the week to watch. Everythin else is hit or miss, but I didn’t miss Girlfriends. Friends and family knew to not call me Monday nights at nine :). I know all good things must come to an end, but I hate to see my girls go from tv. Thanks for the memories. Maybe another network can pick it up?!?!
February 19th, 2008 at 12:23 am
I am disappointed that a show featuring women of color has been cancelled. I was not happy however as to the way Lesbians were portrayed (The Lynn episode) it was particularly insulting to me as a ******* of color. Then when I find a reasonable character in Alicia Lawson (played by Lourdes Benedicto) on Cashmere Mafia THAT story arc is torpedoed.
I’m gonna stop watching television.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
It’s true that there are not enough shows where minorities can relate to. I have seen a lot of good shows come and go, and my weeknights at home are becoming more disappointing. I hope that another network picks up Girlfriends and bring back Toni Childs. I guess the only shows we have left are Everybody Hates Chris and The Game. When they’re gone what’s left.
February 17th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
After 8 seasons, Girlfriends has earned a series finale. Please give the fans something! We’re talking about a show that has survived for 8 years, just one year shy of The Cosby Show’s record seasons. If a 1-hour finale can’t be produced, can we at least get a 30-minute finale for closure?
February 16th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
A proper ending is too expensive? C’mon now!! I enjoy this show for 8 years, and I would like to see a better ending of the series. Give us a proper series ending PLEASE!!!!!!!
February 15th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
It really is messed up. I feel like Maya feel when Monique appeared on the show as herself saying ” I spented five years watching The Parkers she can give me five mins of here time to talk and come to Joans restaurant”. Well I spent 8 years of my life watchin Girlfriends started watching it since I was 12 years old with my mom. If there was still a UPN it probably would have got a series finale because I believe that show made it the network it was. But The CW don’t care its just two lame networks put together to make one lame network. They say that it is to much money for a series finale The CW network produced at least 30+ episodes and UPN produced at least 130+ episodes and you telling me that it can a few more dollars on two more episodes. Well black people correct me if I’m wrong so that gives us 2 black shows thats left on a major network. Maybe, just maybe another network will pick it up perhaps FOX but I doubt it. I just said to myself not to long ago that I couldn’t believe that the show has been on for 8 years it might make it to 10 years, well I was wrong. CW please give Girlfriends a series finale or at least a hour long look back at the past 8 years with the cast and creator.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
This is so messed up! I know the show was ending but the fans don’t even get a proper series finale. WOW, that’s is too unfair. I’m going to miss the Girlfriends especially Maya! We should get some kind of 30 min finale or something.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:05 am
It is not always about the money. It is always about greed. This was a great show. I am sadden that I have seen the last of the show Girlfriends. It ended before it really got started for 2008. Shame on you!! Please give a respectable ending or endings to this series.