(Photo by Virginia Sherwood/NBC)
Tonight marks the end of the road for Detective Harlee Santos on NBC‘s Shades of Blue TV show. The writers knew that this would be the final episode so they had time to try to make it a satisfying series finale. Did the cop series receive a fitting send-off? Would you have watched a fourth season?
Shades of Blue stars Jennifer Lopez, Ray Liotta, Drea de Matteo, Dayo Okeniyi, Vincent Laresca, Hampton Fluker, and Sarah Jeffery. The mystery thriller follows Harlee Santos (Lopez) and her work “family” of Brooklyn detectives, including the enigmatic Lt. Matt Wozniak (Liota), whose shades of blue skew grey.
It was announced back in April that season three would be the end for Shades of Blue. According to Lopez, she had made the decision to end the series. The star and an executive producer on the series, she said, “I have enjoyed producing and starring in this beautifully complicated world and playing such an empowering yet flawed character – a woman, a detective but, first and foremost, a mother.” At the time, the network said that season three would bring the story of Lopez’s character to a fitting conclusion.
While NBC no doubt liked having the Lopez and Liotta vehicle on the network, it’s never been a hit in the ratings. The first season averaged a 1.17 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 5.79 million viewers. Season two attracted a 0.76 demo (down 35%) with 4.30 million (down 26%).
The abbreviated third season of 10 episodes has been drawing a paltry 0.51 in the demo (down another 33%) and 3.16 million (down another 27%). Had the series not ended on its own, it’s hard to imagine that the peacock network would have renewed it anyway.
But, what do you think? Should Shades of Blue have ended? Should NBC have renewed it for a fourth season — potentially with limited involvement by Lopez? Would you have kept watching or, was this the right time to end the show?
Great show, one of my favorites, hate to see it go. Another innovative, intelligent, well-written, well-acted series doomed by the top brass idiots who pander to the masses for the all-mighty ratings and $$$ chase. God forbid any show with a bit of quality should actually succeed.
I loved the sow but it needs to recast Lopez’s character to bring it back. Ray Liotta is the Bomb and with him in it, it stays really great. Sorry to see a good show end with all the other junk that stays on year after year. There are not that many really good and well acted series on TV anymore.
Bring it back with a new detective to replace Lopez.
The ratings on this show were pathetic from Season One, Episode One. NBC wanted to develop a business relationship with Jennifer Lopez, so the show kept getting renewed. Better shows with better ratings on NBC were Cancelled so that this could stay on the air. It is time for it to go .
I just couldn’t wait for each Sunday so that I could watch my favorite show on tv ” SHADES OF BLUE. ” I really hoped that ” NETFLIX “would have picked it up due to the fact that at times NBC really pisses me off by canceling really good shows and replacing them with garbage. Even though Jennifer did a fantastic job, Mr.Liotta has always been my favorite. IF ( that’s a BIG IF ) ” NETFLIX ” brings back ” SHADES OF BLUE “, IT WOULDN’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT THE SAME CAST OF CHARACTERS. They all deserve a… Read more »
Netflix should definitely pick Shades of Blue up. At least give this show 3 more Seasons and that’s it.
I have enjoyed this TV show and I’m unhappy that NBC chose to cancel the show. It was well written, well produced and I especially liked Ray Liota and Jennifer Lopez in the starring roles. I just don’t understand why good shows like this one get cancelled and all these reality shows like the Bachelor and The Bachelorette are still on.
I LOVE Shades of Blue!!!!! so well written, really good acting—PLEASE bring it back!!!!!
Really unfortunate to end the show! ALL actors work SO WELL together and kept your interest. ALWAYS looked forward to next episode!!!!!
I loved the show and wanted it to continue. I thought it was a really great crime drama and the chemistry between Jennifer Lopez’s and Ray Liotta’s characters made the show so awesome along with the remaining cast who just amplified their performances even more so each season. It was so different than other crime dramas that I have watched, and dealt with current social issues as well as the personal lives of each character on the show, as well, which made it that much more interesting than most cop shows today. I am really going to miss this show… Read more »
I enjoyed the show. Bring it back
My husband and I loved the show. Hate to see it go. Would keep watching if available! Need good shows with good actors! Sorry to see it end
I loved that show. It was the BEST out there. It SHOCKED me when they decided to end it. WHY WHY WHY
Bring it back. Liotta was the draw anyway. Recast Harley.
Liotta’s the bomb no matter what role he plays HE DOES IT RIGHT!!!!
Jennifer Lopez wanted it over, either she was bored, or saw money signs elsewhere
Yeah it looked that way…
she was co – producer. she’had the $$$$ for shades. now someone else is needed with $$$$ to take her place to bring back shades…..PERHAPS MAYBE NETFLIX ?????
Series should continue. I would definitely watch it faithfully. Please bring it back, it was very entertaining. Thank you.
I agree, love the show, please bring it back..
Yes! I’m so sad! Best show on TV! Nothing else is good! Thank God it’s Football season!!