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.
It looks like Fox is doing what CBS did in the 60’s. They cancelled Wild Wild West, Beverly Hilbillies and a few other shows despite their great ratings. I know this show has an adult theme, yet the acting is great and better than most shows. This show has a spiritual undertone and doesn’t push religion like previous shows. The crime drama and the jokes are great. The show actually shows what you can find in a well oiled team of people who have worked together for a number of years. The only show that comes close to this show… Read more »
Except for some AI and Dancing with the Stars, I don’t watch reality TV. I don’t watch much TV at all, actually. Saving Grace was one of those rare shows that had multiple themes and created so many wonderful metaphors. I know reality shows in general are less expensive to produce but at some point, people will only be watching the cable TV shows if they cancel all the quality programming. I don’t know where the numbers are derived from, where the supposed audience is tested but I do know that with this one, lots of people aren’t happy.
I can’t believe they are doing this to Grace, this show has been amazing from the start and they are crazy for canceling it, I will watch the remaining episodes but will not ever get interested in their programs again
So it’s a FOX show…no wonder they cancelled it. That company is full of greedy idiots. All they need to do is take some of the money they waste on Fox News Channel and use it to cover some decent programming instead of that garbage they call ‘Fair & Balanced’ news. Why would Grace be anymore expensive to produce than other shows? I’m sure they have to pay Holly Hunter a big salary, but the rest of the cast aren’t award winning actors (not to say that they couldn’t be though). I’m guessing they got heat for presenting GOD as… Read more »
the men that handle the money are nothing but greedy ********.i myself cannot comprehind what they can do with this money in a lifetime and what his family could do to lose all this money and property over the next no telling years.like scrooge i’m sure there is a good amount of dough to pay for grace and the cleaner ————————-[(i’m not just talking about the good shows cancelled with excuse of money i’m also saying every tv network talks money ) the unit ——-jay leno does not deserve a five day a week show–maybe 2 or 3–i have always… Read more »
FOX = IDIOTS.
I can’t believe this show is going off the air. It is ridiculous that every really great show ends up making way for the same old garbage. What is wrong with the network? Too bad, this was a great showcase for Holly
Fox strikes again. I didn’t even know until this story broke that Fox had anything at all to do with Saving Grace. If I had, I probably wouldn’t have even started watching it in the first place after what Fox did to Firefly. Hopefully, another network will see the value of Saving Grace and pick up production. As for Fox, my wife and I have pretty much sworn off of Fox programming (we still watch Bones), but here’s a thought – maybe if some of Fox executives made a bit less, they wouldn’t have to be quite so concerned with… Read more »
This is ridiculous. It is now at the point of not even bothering to start watching any new shows. While Saving Grace is an excellent series, the “major” networks continuously drop the ball and now the studios are calling the shots for them ? I’m am extremely upset to say the least. I believe that HBO or Showtime might be interested in this show. That is where I am watching the majority of my television viewing as of late anyways. Honestly, what advertisers are going to stick around and support the making of these programs when the networks and studios… Read more »
Another GREAT show bites the dust. Typical. For what? More reality crap?!? Soaps? What a huge disappointment and thank you, t.v. execs for giving your viewers absolutely no credit whatsoever. Once again. Ooooh maybe they’ll bring back another crappy 80’s show….sheesh.
Let’s see good writing, sexy, enthralling stories drawing me in deeper each week. A talented cast that makes it all too real. I don’t think it’s the public that isn’t ready for Saving Grace, it’s the TV production networks that can’t make this show fit into their limited view of what they think we should watch. Maybe if the networks figured out how to market their shows for the non MTV generation they would be making money.
-G in Portland
Too expensive to produce? I guess it’s just easier to put some cameras in a house and spit out “reality” show banality than to offer a creative, intelligent and exciting show like Saving Grace.
I’m crushed…..I’m absolutely crushed. Saving Grace is my all time favorite show………I feel that as a viewer I have been waiting a long time for something worthwhile and exciting to be made for television. Here it is ….and even though the show has millions of viewers and fans….that’s not enough to keep it going? This show gets under my skin and makes my heart ache ……it makes me laugh ’til it hurts………..I can’t believe there’s no value in that.
Gosh I can’t believe it. I so look forward to that show on Tuesday nights, and even when I watch the first episode, I often look at the repeat to see it again, to clarify anything I may have missed. I am sad to hear this. This is very disturbing news. I was not aware of this until a minute ago. Wish there was something the viewers could do to change this. Holly Hunter is fantastic in this show. Hope they can find something else to continue to show her talent.
Gee, maybe they can put in a reality show or a game show. Whatever Fox decides to do, hopefully it won’t cost too much money. Apparently content and gravitas has to big a price tag. Typical decision making by penny pinching bean counting tasteless corporate a holes.