In the network’s commitment to get out of the “sitcom business,” the CW has cancelled Everybody Hates Chris. There won’t be a fifth season but luckily series creator Chris Rock beat them to the punch.

Everybody Hates Chris is loosely based on Rock’s early life and features Tyler James Williams, Terry Crews, Tequan Richmond, Tichina Arnold, Imani Hakim, and Vincent Martella.

The show’s been around for four seasons and its viewership has been in decline for awhile. It certainly didn’t help that, this season, the CW decided to strand the sitcom on little-watched Friday nights. Added to the fact that Chris doesn’t exactly match the network’s targeted demographic, it was obvious that the show’s days were numbered.

Rather than take a chance on not being able to give the show a proper ending, Rock decided to finish the show on his own terms. The season four finale revolves around Chris dropping out of high school, just as Rock did in real life. If the series had returned for year five, it could have explored his journey to do stand-up but as it is, the season finale still works as a last episode. There’s even a not-so-subtle nod to the famous Sopranos finale at the end.

Williams is currently pursuing a film course at New York University and is satisfied with the final episode. He told TV Guide, “If it ends here, we ended it the right way.” Rock agreed, saying, “It might not be a bad way to go.”

Are you upset or glad that the show won’t be back for season five?

Image courtesy CW.