FX has decided to end their Rescue Me series after seven seasons and 93 episodes. The show will go out as it began; closely tied to the events of 9/11.
Rescue Me follows Denis Leary as a hard-living New York fireman who balances the challenges of his stressful job and crazy personal life. The series also features the talents of Diane Farr, Adam Ferrara, Mike Lombardi, James McCaffrey, Jack McGee, Tatum O’Neal, Steven Pasquale, Andrea Roth, John Scurti, Daniel Sunjata, Larenz Tate, Callie Thorne, and Dean Winters.
Though it’s still a high-profile show for FX, Rescue Me’s numbers aren’t nearly as strong as they once were. The first two seasons averaged about 2.7 million viewers per episode. The fifth season has been averaging about 1.4 million and 914,000 in the 18-49 demographic. Variety reports that’s a 38% decline from season four.
The drop in viewership likely comes as a result of the show being off the air for an extended period of time. There was a gap of 18 months between the end of season four and the start of season five, largely due to the writers strike. A series of webisodes were released in 2008 in an attempt to bridge the gap.
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In February, months before the premiere of year five, FX announced that Rescue Me had already been renewed for a sixth season of 18 episodes.
Of the early renewal, FX’s President and General Manager John Landgraf said, “Rescue Me is one of the very best series on television and a tentpole program for FX. We’re amazed by the quality of episodes for the upcoming fifth season, which are some of the best they’ve ever produced. I believe this show will continue to maintain a level of excellence for several years to come, and we’re thrilled to pick it up for a sixth season.”
Now that the network has seen the numbers for season five, it seems their enthusiasm has waned and have decided to make the next round the show’s last. But, instead of 18 episodes as previously planned, the final group of episodes has been increased to 19. The extra installment will presumably be used to cap off the series.
Rather than airing all 19 episodes together, the new plan is to break them up into two smaller seasons. Season six will air in 2010 while season seven will be held until 2011. Peter Tolan, the show’s co-creator, says the plan is to run the final episodes to coincide with the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.
Of the final episodes, Tolan told TV Guide that Maura Tierney, who’s featured prominently in next week’s season finale, may pop up for the final episodes. He said, “We loved working with her — that was kind of a big deal to get her… She’s got Parenthood, but I think we have a deal where we can use her for four episodes. And since we have that deal, we will take advantage of it.”
What do you think? Will you be sorry to see Tommy Gavin and the other characters go? How would you like to see the show end?
Image courtesy FX.
It will be a huge dissapointment to see this one end. I am confident Leary can move on to something even better. Thank you for many great hours so far.
7 years in TV is a great run and especially in cable. It will go out on a good note and I like how they will say farewell around the tenth anniversary of the day.
Jack McGee’s character was killed off and the numbers havent been the same since….
One of the most original and darkly funny shows ever to air. It will be sadly missed. I have always looked forward to catching this series since day one! Even when it’s slightly slow it’s better than most shows on t.v. hands down.
KEEP RESCUE ME…I LOVE IT!!!
First they get rid od deadwood now Rescue Me come on reality tv sux next you’ll get rid of Sons of Anarchy Fx get with the program here people dont want dumb ass reality shows
This was a truly great show at one time… but not this year.
It’s been boring most of the time this season, and you get the feeling that Denis Leary was allowed too much control. Thus we see his improbably hot wife and hot girlfriend constantly fighting over this troubled, aging, alcoholic tomcat.
It used to be an ensemble show with strong subplots, but the bulk of each episode this year is all about Tommy’s women and their drama. Pfooie.
No way – please let it continue – best series out there……………..Please!!!!!!!
Man this sucks. I can’t believe they are sending it to the gutter. So much crap on TV these days, this was one of the only things I could actually watch and stay entertained.
Complete ********, nothing left on TV but brainless shows.
Hey this show is outstanding idk why in the hell they think of getting rid of it at all its amazing. Im only confused on how they will continue it with Tommy dead.
This is an outstanding show that earns nominations. Why would you hurt your network like this.
Keep this show going!!!!!
Sad to see it go. Should focus more on firehouse living then the private lives of the firefighters.Way to many commercials and the gap from season to season sucks. The last episode should be a tribute to the F.D.N.Y. the greatest fire department in the world.
This is one of the best shows on television. What a great blend of comedy and drama. The acting on this show surpasses any crap that has been in the movie theater that past year.
It is a sad state of affairs that FX is going to cancel this series. Perhaps FX should look at DVD sales and posts such as these before they decide to 86 this show. I already feel bad enough that Nip/Tuck is going into its final run, now Rescue Me too?!
Keep Rescue Me going. I`m a paramedic for the Lexington Fire department. In Lexington, Ky. And me all the other paramedics at station 20 were upset, and offended when we heard rescue Me was going to be cancelled.
We live that show. FX should get their heads out of their asses and keep Rescue Me o the air for a very long time.
Please don’t cancel, Its one of the best shows on TV I look forward to it every Tuesday night, last night was great…I can’t wait till next year to see what happens to Tommy, I Love Him…. Awesome Show:)