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.
 Loading ... |
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.
I’m gonna miss this show. 🙁
Best show ever.I see allmost all shows around,but this is the TOP OF THE TOPS! Tom-SLOVENIA-(EU)
its kind of funny though, this show is about firefighters, and i am yet to see them put out a fire, so far ive only seen them rescue people haha, just had to add that..
I just started watching this show about a week ago, me, my girlfriend, and my dad are hooked, weve watched 3 seasons in the past week, I hate to see this show end, i dont care how it ends, im going to watch every episode because the show gets better every episode, ive always wanted to be a firefighter, and i sure am going to miss this show. I hope denis leary and peter tolan work together on another series soon.
to me the show whent off its course in season 4 and 5, but for the final season it would be nice to find out who killed tommys brother
hey i am wondering when season six is going to come out it is when of the best showa
I really hate to see the show end, it is very well written. My husband is a retired firefighter, and he just loves the show, and most shows that have anything to do with firefighter he usually doesn’t like because they are so fake, and he has loved this show from the start, all he ever sez is how true everything is, and that they are giving away all their secrets. All the guys are just like the guys he worked with, he will sit there and say, that is just like Shawn or Kevin, or who ever. Denis Leary… Read more »
I’m sorry to see the show go off air. This is the 10th anniveristy of 9/11. I was a firefighter, This show showes what we go thruogh day & night. Please try to keep it going.Tommy will get together & prove himself.
I really do not want this show to end – it’s just like “The Job” – I fell in love with it and it ended very abruptly after 2 seasons – not fair!!! Denis, come up with something else, all my shows are gone – Cold Case, Without A Trace, The Closer is ending as well. It’s almost causing me to not want to get attached to a show, like now, I fear for Glee!
when is the season opener??
Fascinating, sometimes breath-taking, showing the real life – that is RESCUE ME for me. I hope ” the show must go on “. Hi from Buigaria! ( Europe)
i want season 6 to come out already and i would like to see Tommy Gavin actually become completely clean and the rest of his family again and see Tommy get back together with his seperated wife and get his whole life and see if he will get rid of seeing the ghosts and then live a normal life with raiseing Johnny’s son
The show had a good run. But like all shows, they can’t last forever. It’s strong and they’re idoits on the show but it was still fun to watch. I think, Tommy finally grew up and got his **** together. And I hope, Tommy and Janet stay together. After all, she’s the only one who can put up with his bull ****. Most women would have left by now. I know, I would have.
I’m looking forward to season 7. At the same time I’m very dissapointed it will be the last to say the least! There is nothing else on television that can hold my interest as much as Rescue Me. The talent assembled is amazing, the writing, the finished product, it’s raised the bar for anything else on the tube. It’s the only show that I will buy every dvd and watch them over and over. They say all good things must come to an end, but this isn’t one of them!
I just started watching this show because netfilx recommened it to me and i can not stop watching it!! every chance i get i watch it i’m now on season 5 vol. 1 and i’m still in love it i am really sad that they are ending this series!! =(
I started watching the show for the same reason but I really want to see season 6… i am sick of waiting and want it to come out now… totally addicted!!!! 🙂
Me too!!