TNT has announced that their Holly Hunter drama is coming to an end. Interestingly, it wasn’t exactly the network’s decision. But, regardless of who’s responsible, the fans will have to wait quite awhile to see the story wrap up.
Saving Grace focuses on a police detective, Grace Hanadarko (Holly Humter), wo’s great at her job but finds her personal life far more challenging. The series also features Leon Rippy, Kenny Johnson, Bailey Chase, Laura San Giacomo, Gregory Cruz, Lorraine Toussaint, Dylan Minnette, Bokeem Woodbine, Mark L. Taylor, and Tom Irwin.
The show debuted in July 2007 and attracted 6.4 million viewers, making it the highest-rated cable premiere so far that year.
Season two’s debut attracted 5.2 million and, this past June, season three’s return drew just 3.5 million. TNT remained very positive about the series, likely because it consistently rates first with adults 25-54.
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Last season, the network ordered a second season of 15 episodes. The first nine aired during the Summer of 2008 and the other six began running last March. TNT ordered the same number for season three and the first grouping finishes its summer cycle this Tuesday.
According to THR, TNT wanted to pick the series up for a fourth season but Fox TV Studios actually declined the offer. The drama is an expensive one to produce and there’s apparently not enough profit in the cable deal for the studio to continue.
A spokesperson for Fox told Variety, “In today’s rapidly changing television world, shows need to drive revenue off too many sources in order to be profitable for all the partners. Unfortunately, the economics of the series mandated stronger international and ancillary revenue than the show was able to generate. We thought an appropriate ending after three extremely successful seasons was the best outcome for all parties involved.”
Since the series has several ongoing storylines, Fox and TNT agreed to produce three additional episodes to wrap up any loose ends. The network will combine them with the remaining installments from this season and hold them until next Summer. So, fans will get some closure to the series but they’ll have to wait a few extra months to get it.
Michael Wright, TNT’s Executive VP head of programming, is sorry to see the show end. In a statement, he said, “The show’s continued success is thanks to the amazing talents of Holly Hunter and [series creator] Nancy Miller, along with a tremendous ensemble cast and a highly skilled production team. They have taken us on a unique journey, and we look forward to seeing where it will ultimately lead.”
What do you think? Are you ready t say goodbye to Grace Hanadarko? Would you like to see the cast return, perhaps in TV movies?
Image courtesy TNT.
I hate that the show is ending but am glad that they chose to do a wrap up of the series. It is funny how many people actually criticize the show and I have to agree, if you don’t like it, change the channel. I was really surprised that it was based in Oklahoma. I am from Oklahoma and we don’t get much attention down here so this show was great for us. I was actually very upset when I discovered that it was ending. This last episode left me confused and I purchased it off of Amazon because I… Read more »
I have been following this link and up until now I have mostly agreed with what you all are saying. But you have lost me now. I love a good cop show and was really bummed when NYPD Blue finished it’s run. At least it was allowed to go away on it’s own. There wasn’t a good cop show until Southland came along. So I was really upset when it got cancelled after just 6 episodes. I went to NBC and wrote a scathing letter and I guess a lot of others did too. So, it got pickup up by… Read more »
@ Ray and Barb – I apologize for never having watched Southland and being able to sing its praises. But the ads I have seen really do not evoke any desire in me to see it. I am not criticizing the show, I’ve just never seen it and quite frankly, for me to give up my favorite show and have it replaced by one that could not last on a network is not a fair trade. Based on your review, I will watch it. But I still do not want to lose Saving Grace!!! Last night TNT was advertising its… Read more »
Ray and Barb – I too loved NYPD Blue, also Hill Street Blues. I do love good cop shows. But The Shield with its corrupt cops (or those who gave the appearance of corruption) turned me off so badly that I gave it up after seeing only two episodes. And the ads for Southland look like the same kind of ads for The Shield. So maybe it’s “guilt by association” that keeps me away. Have you seen Leverage and The Closer? Those I truly enjoy. And I adore Castle! I do not look to television for reality cop shows; I… Read more »
There is a second petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/saving-grace-on-tnt – I don’t know why are two, but it wouldn’t hurt to sign both of them… http://www.petitiononline.com/TNT37/petition.html – I just found out that billionaire Rupert controls 1/3 of all American media – and he has the nerve to say that Saving Grace is too expensive to produce? I think he just doesn’t like to give us Emmy nominated shows, or angels! C’mon Rupert, why are you sticking us with drivel and taking away the good shows? Do you really think that we are too dumb to be provided with thought-provoking material? You can… Read more »
I hate to see saving grace go off the air..I enjoy the show bvery much. I look forward to the new shows. I would rather take off the closer.If they woulf of kept saving gvrace right after the closer they wouldnt have no problems.I dont like southland or leverage. So i willnot be watching tnt for awhile. I will miss saving grace and my family will too. becky
@ BECKY – Don’t give up TNT until Grace is gone!! It’s the ratings that make a difference. If you boycott her now, they will have won!
I’m sorry you haven’t seen the fun and cleverness of Leverage – I love the relationships and humor in that show!
Have you signed the petitions to Save Saving Grace? One of them is at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/TNT37/petition.html – We have no proof that anyone with authority to bring her back even reads these comments – the petitions will be seen and need all the signatures possible!
There is a second petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/saving-grace-on-tnt – I don’t know why are two, but it wouldn’t hurt to sign both of them… http://www.petitiononline.com/TNT37/petition.html –
@ Jill: Dancing With the Stars is not on TNT. The Bachelor was and will never be again, if there is a timeslot god!
Saving Grace would have been renewed by TNT if the billionaire Murdoch, who controls 1/3 of all American media, were not so greedy. It was his decision to scrap Grace and Earl because they did not bring enough money into his multi-billion dollar kingdom.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,,,the best show on TV SCREW Dancing with the Has-Beens and the Bachelor…ugh
@admin: Will you please tell us the REAL reason that Rupert and Emiliano have refused to continue producing the show? “Too expensive” might mean that money was being embezzled or that they were buying $1,000. hairbrushes…Why not just change accountants? Or was it that the show was approved by the man that Emiliano replaced and they are not keeping anything he touched? That’s cutting off their noses to spite their faces, wouldn’t you think? According to the article I read, FOX has been losing money ever since Emiliano took over. Wouldn’t it be better to get rid of him and… Read more »
It wouldn’t be Saving Grace without Holly Hunter. Obviously you don’t get it. Without her, there is no show. No one could step into her shows when it comes to this role.
i LOVE Saving Grace (and Holly Hunter 😉 i really hate 2 see it end. i agree… there really should be a movie. are we likely to see Grace anywhere else?
or….. carry on without Holly. The rest of the cast could probably hold up their end.
clif
I LOVE THIS SHOW! What is FOX thinking -” 24″ AND” Saving Grace?” no more?
yet people watch crap like biggest loser? I hope FOX is not jumping on the reality show bandwagon. I might just sell my TV if I have to watch low budget reality shows.
FOX, not TNT, has decided that we are too dumb to appreciate excellent programming…TNT offers The Closer and Leverage, which are both very well-written and acted, and very entertaining. USA has some wonderful shows, as well. NONE of which have the qualities of Saving Grace. I would not want to give them up at all, but SOUTHLAND?????? I’d rather watch reruns of CSI or Law and Order!!!
C’mon, TNT, find a way to let us keep Grace and Earl…PLEASE!!
There’s got to be another production company somewhere that knows a good thing when it’s offered to them!!
Sandy When I made the blog your comments had not been posted yet. I certainly wasn’t referring to your post when I said what I did about using spell check. So please don’t be offended when others agree with what I wrote. Even in your case, as difficult as it may be I’d use spell check… however, there is nothing wrong with your post! you are writing from the heart and that comes through loud and clear even without an explanation of your writing style. You’re doing a remarkable job with your limitations and I salute you for taking time… Read more »
If you read my letter closely you would have read my apology, I was having seizures and was in the hospital for a few months. (car accident I was at a red light and a teenager doing over the 45 speed limit was talking on her cell phone and didn’t even brake) Each time they tried to get me out of my coma my organs would shut down one by one and then I was back on life support! I am typing with my index finger that is in pain like the rest of my hands, arms. legs, and spine!… Read more »
Author: Mary SagorComment: AMEN TO MARY SAGOR/COMMENT! SHE PUT IN WORDS THAT I WAS TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE! THERE IS A MOREL TO EVERY EPISODE! IT MAKES ME THINK OF ANGELS AND GOD A HECK OF A LOT!!!! IF OTHERS DON’T WANT TO WATCH AND GET ENLIGHTENED SO BE IT ITS YOUR LOSS1 I THINK IT IS ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS I HAVE EVER WATCHED!!!!NOT ONLY HOOLY BUT THE CATING DEPT CUDOS TO YOU! ALL THE CAST MEMBERS THAT YOU PICKED ALL MAKE THE SHOW EXCELENT!!I COULD EVEN STILL WATCH IF IT IS HOLLY WHO WANTS TO LEAVE, WELL… Read more »
Sandy, I apologize for the criticism of your typing style! FOX – if you read this, can’t you see how important this show is, to people of all walks of life? For Sandy to make the effort, despite her limitations, to get the message to you, indicates more than any of the rest of us could say! Sandy, I presume that you have signed the petition, but if you haven’t, it’s very simple. Click the link – http://www.petitiononline.com/TNT37/petition.html scroll down, and click the button. That’s all you have to do. Then send the link to as many people as you… Read more »
well each person has a right to their own opinion and the person who last said they are glad to see Grace leave the air needs to figure out how to turn the channel on the remote. If you understood one inkling of what the show is about you’d realize that Grace is in therapy, the therapists name is in the form of Earl, and he’s representing the most almighty counselor we will ever have a realtionship with. She isn’t portraying all officers, she’s portraying one lost, lonely, confused, abused person, a real person, not a cop, the cop comes… Read more »
Glad to see Saving Grace go. The episodes I watched give police officers everywhere a black eye. The character, Grace need to go into therapy and undergo counseling.
Our Police officers put their lives on the line every day and don’t need to be portrayed as adolescent juveniles. So, yes I am glad to see this show taken off the air.
Guardian, you need to read Marilyn’s response! If you are so shallow that you do not see that in every episode there is growth and enlightenment, then you must have some very difficult relationships in your life! If you don’t want to watch her, fine, but don’t try to keep ME from seeing Grace and Earl every week! (I bet you the Simpsons more to your liking.) See, I don’t care what you watch. I just know that if you do not have the capacity to see the value of Grace’s expanding consciousness, then you really need this show more… Read more »