The long-running sitcom Girlfriends surprised many by returning for its eighth season last fall. The CW series was renewed for a full season of 22 episodes but, because of the writers strike, only 13 of those were completed. Now that the strike is coming to an end, the network is changing their plans. Would it have been better if the show had closed at the end of year seven?
The CW network has decided against putting the seasoned sitcom back into production for the remaining eight episodes. On top of that, they’re not bringing it back for season nine. Are this week’s episodes the last we’ll see of Joan (Tracee Ellis Ross), Lynn (Persia White), Maya (Golden Brooks), and the rest? Does this mean the fans will be left hanging?
Admittedly, Girlfriends’ season eight ratings haven’t been very good overall but it is the second most-watched sitcom among African Americans (bested only by Girlfriends’ spin-off, The Game). In late 2007, series creator Mara Brock Akil said she was hoping for the best but suspected that there wouldn’t be a ninth year. As a result, she conceived a contingency plan on how to end the show. She teased, “I think fans will be very happy.” Does that mean that Joan would get married? Akil would only say, “when we finally feel like Joan is really OK, I do believe the show is over.”
Unfortunately, with the network now cutting season eight short, it looks like she won’t be able to put that plan into action.
Though nothing is set in stone just yet, the network is currently considering putting together a special one-hour retrospective to close out Girlfriends. It would be made up of clips from past episodes. Though that sounds nice, it wouldn’t offer any kind of closure for the beloved characters — hardly a fitting send-off for a sitcom’s that’s been on the air for eight seasons. We’ll keep you posted on how this one develops. Stay tuned! 
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31 Comments on "Girlfriends: No Season Nine, Headed for a Disappointing Series Finale?"
I’m not African American but I still LOVE this show. One of my favorites!! I watched it when it first aired and here I am years later still watching it. I’m so pissed that they didn’t get their deserved season finale. All I gotta say is, OH HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLL NO!!!
Angela I said they same thing I could not believe they did not get a final season finale!!! One of my favorite shows!!!
I am very disappointed that girlfriends and now the Game is off the air. I was a loyal fan of Girlfriend since it began. I also remember when the Game first started. The CW should be ashamed of how this all went down.
I love girlfriends. Yall have to at least give them a proper season finale if nothing else. I have purchased the first two seasons and will be very dissappointed if there is no closure in the end.
girlfriends really touched home with me i had a similar situation with one of my friends that joan and toni went through and after 6 years we became friends again. I really loved that show it brought a side of me out i never new exist. whenever i was feeling down or mad i can always watch girlfriends and get a sense of confront. Im going to really miss that show.
I searched frantically through the channels trying to find my favorite tv show,girlfriends, when I could not find it I almost cried. You see(whoever is taking the time to read this) this sitcom made me feel like I had girlfriemds(which I do not) and I looked forward to seeing my girlfriends every week. I will miss laughing and crying with the most beautiful women on the TV Sceen!! sincerely yours,Mrs. McNeal
I love the show Girlfriends. I continue to watch it today. I am still seeing episodes that I haven’t seen. I hate the fact that the show had to come to an end, but I love the fact that it has my 4 favorite characters on it. (Joan, William, Mya, and Lynn)
I LOVED girlfriends and i was the only show i actually went out and bought. It was funny and true and i loved the characters. After eight long seasons I am very angry that this show has no finale!! CW is a piece of crap for being cheap on a show that obviously had many fans. Screw you CW!
That is whack.Cw u are lame. I think since ya’ll are not going to show more seasons of this show somebody needs to make a MOVIE for the close out of it.Just like Sex In The City.
cw11 what is wrong with you????????????????? First it was one on one, then all of us now girlfriend. They did not post anything about a SERIES FINALE, on any of these shows. I agree with T. Watkins. Sorry I’m late on writting this, I just found out today, about this website.
We knew this was going to happen Toni’s gone how much longer can you deal with Joan and Lynne . Maya was ok but Toni was the comedy .