TNT has announced that their Holly Hunter drama is coming to an end. Interestingly, it wasn’t exactly the network’s decision. But, regardless of who’s responsible, the fans will have to wait quite awhile to see the story wrap up.
Saving Grace focuses on a police detective, Grace Hanadarko (Holly Humter), wo’s great at her job but finds her personal life far more challenging. The series also features Leon Rippy, Kenny Johnson, Bailey Chase, Laura San Giacomo, Gregory Cruz, Lorraine Toussaint, Dylan Minnette, Bokeem Woodbine, Mark L. Taylor, and Tom Irwin.
The show debuted in July 2007 and attracted 6.4 million viewers, making it the highest-rated cable premiere so far that year.
Season two’s debut attracted 5.2 million and, this past June, season three’s return drew just 3.5 million. TNT remained very positive about the series, likely because it consistently rates first with adults 25-54.
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Last season, the network ordered a second season of 15 episodes. The first nine aired during the Summer of 2008 and the other six began running last March. TNT ordered the same number for season three and the first grouping finishes its summer cycle this Tuesday.
According to THR, TNT wanted to pick the series up for a fourth season but Fox TV Studios actually declined the offer. The drama is an expensive one to produce and there’s apparently not enough profit in the cable deal for the studio to continue.
A spokesperson for Fox told Variety, “In today’s rapidly changing television world, shows need to drive revenue off too many sources in order to be profitable for all the partners. Unfortunately, the economics of the series mandated stronger international and ancillary revenue than the show was able to generate. We thought an appropriate ending after three extremely successful seasons was the best outcome for all parties involved.”
Since the series has several ongoing storylines, Fox and TNT agreed to produce three additional episodes to wrap up any loose ends. The network will combine them with the remaining installments from this season and hold them until next Summer. So, fans will get some closure to the series but they’ll have to wait a few extra months to get it.
Michael Wright, TNT’s Executive VP head of programming, is sorry to see the show end. In a statement, he said, “The show’s continued success is thanks to the amazing talents of Holly Hunter and [series creator] Nancy Miller, along with a tremendous ensemble cast and a highly skilled production team. They have taken us on a unique journey, and we look forward to seeing where it will ultimately lead.”
What do you think? Are you ready t say goodbye to Grace Hanadarko? Would you like to see the cast return, perhaps in TV movies?
Image courtesy TNT.
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I can remember clear back to the early 80s when Cagney and Lacey was saved because viewers got angry over its cancellation.
And that was a show about two strong women, as well. I don’t buy this BS about needing better “ancillary revenue,” etc. I think it’s because no one wants to spend money to pay a top-notch team that thinks, that answers and addresses the huge questions, that has an amazing woman, fierce, tender, “like a force of nature,” as Holly Hunter said.
Sadly, women such as Grace and those before her and probably those after her will continue to lose support — and it will be blamed on money. What I want to know is……why are we still linking women with money? That’s sickening. I’m going to sign the petition and really, really, really, really do everything I can and hope and pray that Saving Grace does come back like stupid Southland, etc. It deserves it.
You are KILLING me, you kidding right? OMG I agree one of the best shows I have ever seen and the cast is awesome. Keep telling people about the petition, by the way, little chance of keeping it on? Might be, but Southland made it back due to pressure from the fans and networks alike, and that is one STUPID show, ditch Southland and keep Grace, I tried to watch Southland …..boring, we don’t need yet one more Law and Order, Adam 12 type show, keep Grace and throw out Southland, I actually switch to Discovery or History Channel now when Southland comes on…..Leverage is highly entertaining as well as the Closer, but Saving Grace tops them all with content and keeping you on the edge of your seat…………….I vote keep Grace ….ditch Southland, so a lot to be said for shows all being about NY, LA, Vegas, trust me there are plenty of other interesting places for storylines in the USA…….Don’t let Grace die !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Cheshire Cat, unless you are talking about the finances of the two shows being “against” each other, and getting rid of one of them based on cutting production costs, then Grace and Brenda were never up against each other; as a matter of fact, Brenda led us to Grace.
Did you see the post from Admin? No matter what we say or do, the statement is: “I don’t think they’re going to change their minds but you never know, they could do TV movies.”
As far as I can tell at this point, the only possibility for keeping her on the air is that another production company with another network picks up the contract and gives her back to us next spring. It has happened with other shows, maybe we’ll get lucky and it will happen with Grace. Look how long it took for Nip/Tuck to get back on the air…of course, they’re gone as of this week. But the writers and script twists killed that show, and that’s a whole different story.
Keep sending the petition to your friends. If it means nothing to TNT and Fox Studios, maybe it will sway someone else.
It must be about the money and it was always up against TNT’s “darling” Kyra on The Closer. This show has the most powerful message about redemption and THAT is why it is being cancelled-folk don’t like that kind of reminder…Grace Rocks!
Marilyn, I’ve also posted the petition link …maybe they are deliverately deleting it so that they will not be forced to face this really bad decision! We get Grace reruns at 4:00AM and they are giving us 4 hours of Southland in primetime tonight? It seems that they are showing us what they think of our preferences and it isn’t much!
I still say that Emiliano (who refused to continue production of Saving Grace) should be fired and someone with a brain should replace him!
@Mary Sagor: If you’ve gone through the comments and don’t find the one you’re looking for, perhaps you posted it on another site. Posts with petition links aren’t deleted.
You’re absolutely right, and I apologize. I first posted mine on 2/27, having copied it from an earlier posting by someone else. I simply did not scroll back up to find it. I was responding to Marilyn’s 3/2 post which said she didn’t know what happened to it.
I am very glad to see that you are continuing to monitor our posts. Is there any possibility that Grace can be renewed before the final episode is aired? It could be difficult to pick the story up after all loose ends are completed and Grace and Earl have completed their mission in whatever way it’s going to be tied up.
I have even written to TNT and other networks suggesting that they find a new production company so that we do not have to lose this wonderful Emmy nominated show. I have suggested that News Corp fire Emiliano and get someone with a brain to replace him and keep Grace. Truthfully, is that a possibility, or are you just going to turn your backs on us?
@Mary Sagor: I don’t think they’re going to change their minds but you never know, they could do TV movies.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/TNT37/ This might be a second posting, I don’t know what happened to the first… this is the link to sign a petition to keep grace on. With all the blogs I’ve read, there are only about 3800 signatures! Please send it to everyone you know, sign it yourself, get busy and lets Save Grace! SIGN THE PETITION AND SAVE OUR GRACE!!!!! Honestly, it only took me about 3 minutes to sign the petition and it gives you an opportunity to send a message to the network. Sign this folks! Lets do what we can other than bitch and gripe.
Update 2/2/10: The Futon Critic is reporting that Saving Grace will return earlier than expected on Monday, 29 March @ 9pm when viewers will get back-to-back new episodes from 9 to 11pm (“Exclusive: ‘Saving Grace’ Returns to TNT on March 29,” 2 February 2010). The next week it will assume its regular 10pm timeslot, though that will be interrupted by the NBA playoffs as of 19 April. There are 9 new episodes left to air in its final season.
Wow, Are you for real… Dose anyone remember a little show called seinfeld, or friends.. Some of the biggest shows in history and for the first few years both of them had crap rateings. How would you know how much money a show is going to make in the future? I’m so sick of networks putting shows on, getting people interested in that shows plot and then pulling the plug.
I hope to god that there is a public outrage for this show to continue. It is one of the best shows on television. There is not to many of those left. Why dont you try to stop investing in the new crap shows that you plan on airing and stick with the ones that work. HEH FOX NETWORK, GET A CLUE!!!!
If you missed the earlier notification, a petition to save Grace has been started. You may sign it at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/TNT37/
I CANNOT believe this!! Finally, a reason to add TNT to my absolute favorite channel list……Saving Grace—a CAN’T MISS show…….and you’re letting it go…….UUGGHH!!
It’s not about your other shows, which ones we like or dislike and how many times we’ll sit thru re-runs…….. WE LOVE SAVING GRACE!!! You do too!! Don’t let this happen!!
Stephani, I agree that most shows these days are designed for 12-year-olds, but there are a few that are not only intelligent but have good humor, as well: even though someone else who wants to save Grace does not like Leverage, I thoroughly enjoy it. Let’s not forget Bones and NCIS. Castle is another excellent show in danger of the ax. There are light-weight but thoroughly enjoyable shows on your hated network, USA: White Collar, Burn Notice, psych among them. I will admit that TNT, which bills itself as the “We know Drama” network, is losing its edge. From what I can tell, the only original show other than Grace which is worth watching now is The Closer, which returns next month. They are showing a lot of syndicated shows, many of which I like, but which are also available on other channels. If TNT has any sense at all, they will find another production studio and keep Grace on the air.
Just another network I won’t watch anymore. I stopped watching USA when they took off The Dead Zone and 4400. All the good shows are taken off and all the reality shows are kept on which are brainless. What about those of us who like to watch intelligent TV?
Dear Katie15, I am sorry that you haven’t gotten into Leverage…it is a fun show, to me a very updated Mission Impossible. I like the characters and that they always get he job done while making me laugh out loud several times during each eposode. That being said, I agree entirely that Saving Grace is one of the best shows on the air. I have suggested that writing to Rupert Murdoch, owner of the production company and a lot of other things, with a request to fire that idiot Emiliano (the one who refuses to produce any more episodes of SavingGrace) might be a way to start.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo! Or as they say in Oklahoma, “Do wut?” I love this show! The cast is outstanding and every one of them has a new fan, me! Lately I’ve seen quite a few of them on some of their earlier projects and quickly noticed their talent. After seeing them separately, then as an ensemble, I’m convinced the casting person for SG is a true genius! Good eye!
Not only is it sad that we will not get to see them in Saving Grace, it is even sadder that a quality show depicting life somewhere other than New York, LA , Miami or Vegas will be taken off the air. If for not that reason alone, PLEASE reconsider. One of the reasons I began watching the show was because I grew up in Tulsa. Daddy was a truck driver and sometimes would let me go with him to Oklahoma City, Stroud, McAlester, Enid, etc… Admittedly it’s been fun re-visiting childhood times through watching SG. I am deeply saddened to see it end.
Seriously. I hate these networks. You’ll keep crappy shows like law and order running and leverage but you’ll end one of the best shows I’ve ever seen! I’m a dedicated watcher and this makes me really start to hate tv altogether. This show really is My saving grace and now you’re taking that. It’s bullshit and you know it. I’m done watching any of your shows now. You just lost a viewer.
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