When the CW cancelled Girlfriends in February, fans were shocked and dismayed that the long-running sitcom would be left without a proper conclusion. The reason? Simple economics. After the completion of this season’s 16th episode, show production was shut down because of the writers strike. When the strike ended, the CW decided it didn’t make financial sense to resume the series and cancelled plans to film the season’s remaining nine episodes.
As a consolation, it was announced that the CW was considering a retrospective episode to close out the series. The characters’ storylines wouldn’t get any kind of resolution but at least the sitcom would have a series finale. Now, it looks like that’s not going to happen either.
BlackVoices has reported that the network asked the cast to appear in an episode in which they would introduce clips and reflect on their favorite episodes. The CW reportedly offered the actors half of their usual episodic salary to take part. The actors collectively turned them down.
Aside from being insulted by the reduced pay offer, the actors may also be upset that the CW won’t be paying them for the nine episodes that were ordered and later cancelled. It’s rumored that the actors want to sue the network for the episodes but it seems unlikely they’d have much luck. During the strike, networks and studios invoked a “force majeure” contract provision. The standard clause essentially allows them to cancel a contract if work cannot be performed due to an extraordinary event or circumstance — in this case, the writers strike.
Girlfriends creator Mara Brock Akil seems philosophical about the way the series closed out. She said, “Did I like the way it ended? No. Would I have liked it to have a proper ending? Of course. Unfortunately, this was one of those budget decisions. To put value into a show they knew wasn’t coming back when they were trying to keep life in others, I understand it. When the news came, I chose to focus on the blessings… Nobody wants to end this way. But after 172 episodes, we had a wonderful ride.” Stay tuned! 
CW’s abrupt cancellation of ‘girlfriends’ shows a lack of consideration for the ‘girlfriend’ viewers and is a reflection of their value, simply put…they do not value / respect their african american viewership. the show ‘friends’ albeit, a total different network, would have never considered cancelling a long running show without a season finale!
I am so very Pissed this show was cancelled, True its a white Black thing when you bring back a dumb show like 90210 focused on RICH WHITE SUBURBAN LIFE how could this not be about BLACK OR WHITE that show was spectacular, Funny it related to real life situations and for it to be the 2nd longest running African American show next to the COSBY’S it was obviously a favorite amongst many. Please continue to call and complain 818-977-2525 for Dawn and 323-575-2380 for Nancy these are executives at the CW.
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH EVERYONE HERE.I AM ALSO A LOYAL FAN OF G/F AND IS VERY PISSED THAT THEY DID THAT MESS TO MY FAVORITE SHOW .I HATE TO SAY ITS A BLACK AND WHITE ISSUE BUT IT IS .HOW IS IT THAT A SHOW EVERYONE LOVE ,HAS NO ENDING……… ITS UNBELIEVABLE! CW IT IS ONLY FAIR TO GIVE US AN ENDING …. (BRING TONI BACK FOR JOAN WEDDING)PLEASE ………………………………………………………………………………..
CW’s refusal to give fans a series finale is simple; it’s an African American show. Somehow I believe if it were not an African America show, there would have been a series. The show was going to go down, I knew it after the whole deal with Tomi and decreasing pay came about. Like CW has just way too much African American Shows. As much as I love GG, not one main black character. WHatever!
I am upset about the news and hope that another network will see how great the show is and pick it up. we all would have liked to at least see joan finally get married. Maybe they will make a movie later on down the line like sex and the city.
I am deeply sadden to see Girlfriends come to an end, but I do hope that the writers contact Tyler Perry or some other director/producer that knows the value of Black Film/TV. We like to see our people living good also, it was a great show that dealt with real issues. I would love to see Girlfriends “The Movie” I think it would do wonderful at the box office. If Sex and the City can make a comeback, so can Girlfriends, if not now, maybe later.
i can not belive it why not bring the only reason i watch the cw network
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE
ARE THEY SERIOUS
LIKE HOW INCONSIDERATE OF CW
AS THE FANS THEY OWE US A S ERIES FINALE
JUST CUTTING IT OFF WITH NO CONCLUSION ISNT ETHICAL
I PLAN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS
CW WILL DEFINATELY BE HEARING FROM ME !!!!!!!!!!!
I’m always surprised by blatant disrespect. The CW has a whole line up of lame shows and they decided to cancel the one show where blacks were real professionals with realistic lives, and replace it with aimless women whose lives are centered around a bunch football players (The Game)?? IT’S NOT A FAIR TRADE! I expected more from Kelsey Grammer.
All I can say is what the f*#@! I mean I just can’t believe they did one of the best shows on tv like this. Girlfriends was my favorite way to unwind and see someone like me on tv. I’m soooooo sick of this sam bs reality freakin tv. Are we that uncreative that we can’t keep shows on the air that actually have a story line. I guess if joan and the rest of the cast had their rear ends and boobs hanging out and smacking each other around then it would still be on like flavor of love… Read more »
This is ridiculous. There are other shows on television that should be off rather than Girlfriends. I’ve watched every single episode and i deserve a finale. This is just not right. Please give us a season finale. Joan didn’t even get married.
too bad gf is off the air. no ending,no k## my a## or nothing just gone they wouldnt do
gossip girl or tree hill like that and besides why pay the gf star half pay for a final
like they say first hire first fired……..they’ll might use the other half to pay for the girls
lunch all i half to say is sorry mangement they should of let( t.v one ) take over they ‘ll know what to do.
CW is very rude, and this is not acceptable! The viewers that dedicate their time to watching “Girlfiends” deserve a series finale. We deserve to have the show continued. I am very upset with the station, how dare you sit back and say that it’s too expensive for a final episode. I am a loyal viewer, from the begining. We need a finale episode even if it’s just joan finally getting married and william having a baby, we need that. The show can show arron coming back and he and joan getting married, then monica goes into labor at the… Read more »
I am shocked at this news! I also was a faithful viewer of Girlfriends since the beginning, and this is very dissapointing to me. To have no closure after years of faithful viewing is just not right. I understand that in show business it is always about the dollar, but I feel that this network did a huge disservice to all that watched this show and helped this network through some dissapointing times (remember One on One?)! A few years ago, Girlfriends was the #1 show on this network, so it seems to be a slap in the face. But… Read more »
It’s unacceptable for CW to not consider a series finale show for “Girlfriends”. I’ve watched the show since the beginning and feel this is an integral component of TV history especially for African Americans where we were invisible for so many years. Disregarding a proper series finale is a disservice to the shows many fans as well as the network audience. The series will lose me as a loyal viewer and many others who feel the same way. As respect for the viewers and the cast give “Girlfriends” a proper series finale.