On April 11, CBS saved S.W.A.T. from cancellation, for the second time no much less.
This reprieve got here after three characters had already been written out this season. And extra exits could also be coming, because it was hinted that Commander Hicks may be departing to care for his ailing lover on S.W.A.T. Season 7 Episode 9.
So, who precisely will probably be within the 20 Squad returning for S.W.A.T. Season 8? Hondo, Powell, the brand new man who changed Road, and who else?
Ah, nicely, that is an issue for the collection’ showrunner and writers this summer time. At the very least salaries for lesser-known actors ought to be much less of a chew on the funds.
One facet impact of this shock rescue of S.W.A.T. is that Blue Bloods followers need their present, now in its 14th and supposedly ultimate season, saved as nicely.
First off, let’s keep in mind it is a unhealthy time to be a scripted community collection. Simply ask followers of Station 19, The Good Physician, and Younger Sheldon, all happening after their present seventh seasons.
The bloodletting really started again throughout The CW hearth sale, when most of that netlet’s scripted programming was jettioned over a few seasons in favor of actuality reveals and reruns of scripted imports (primarily from Canada).
Following the brand new contracts with the Writers’ Guild and SAG-AFTRA, the networks adopted go well with, cleansing home. Unable to win the standard battle towards the better-funded streaming providers, they opted to seek out cheaper methods to maintain their revenue margins.
To proceed oversimplifying TV economics, newer collection are usually inexpensive whereas long-running reveals develop extra expensive. And in case your fave is not a part of a franchise, it has no cowl.
Networks need to monitor down a Tracker or have a Fireplace Nation catch hearth, in different phrases.
Completely none of those causes work in favor of Blue Bloods.
Some would argue that the politics of Blue Bloods damage it. However be severe. The favourite shade of the networks is not blue or pink. It is inexperienced.
One sensible transfer was splitting the ultimate 18 episodes into two blocks, eight now and ten subsequent fall. Nobody desires to overlook the collection finale as a result of it aired at the beginning of a sunny August weekend.
That break up additionally permits producers to kick the can down the street by way of securing one other season. Possibly the rankings may develop sufficient to pique Paramount’s curiosity.
Nonetheless, such a transfer by NBC did nothing for Magnum P.I. followers aside from give them false hope.
To this point, Blue Bloods hasn’t been shedding characters similar to S.W.A.T. has, which is an clever transfer in case an unlikely renewal occurs.
That is about it for positives by way of getting renewed.
Essentially the most vital impediment is the altering community monetary surroundings detailed above.
The Blue Bloods forged and crew took a 25 p.c pay minimize to get CBS to comply with this “ultimate” season as a way to wrap all the things up in a blue bow. So, that expense card probably cannot get performed once more.
Reupping S.W.A.T. has decreased the prospect of Blue Bloods immediately being renewed as a result of there’s that a lot much less cash within the programming funds.
Certain, CBS additionally canceled CSI: Vegas and So Assist Me Todd. Nonetheless, what it prices to provide a three-season program and a two-season present wouldn’t offset the price of a long-running collection similar to Blue Bloods.
Additionally, whereas Blue Bloods dips into present occasions to tell its narrative, it is a household drama earlier than it is a procedural.
So, what extra can viewers study in regards to the Reagan household that they have not already over 13-plus seasons?
Here is a handful of potentialities:
Will Erin and Jamie maintain shifting up professionally?
Will Erin and Danny discover love once more?
Can Danny proceed to maintain his profession from imploding?
Will Frank retire or get pressured out by the mayor? If that’s the case, who will exchange him?
Will there be a token demise within the prolonged household? If that is the case, be careful, Henry.
That hardly looks as if one other complete season’s price of fabric. Why, it probably could possibly be addressed through the the rest of Blue Bloods Season 14.
Not like a youthful collection similar to S.W.A.T., Particularly with all these new characters.
The one different choice storywise can be to comply with the lead of Dick Wolf’s reveals and turn out to be far more topical — one thing like Regulation & Order: The Reagans.
However then it would not be Blue Bloods anymore, wouldn’t it? Identical to you by no means see any scenes with Olivia Benson and her squad hanging out collectively at a bistro after hours.
In any occasion, it is going to be this late fall earlier than any renewal miracle may happen. Possibly the rankings will soar (uncertain with its ageing viewership), making Paramount assume twice, and Blue Bloods will probably be saved. Once more.
Within the meantime, there are every day alternatives to revisit what has come earlier than, each on cable and streaming. The nice outdated days actually aren’t that far eliminated.
The following few months, particularly through the summer time doldrums, can be a great opportunity to make psychological notes of the questions you need answered by the collection’ conclusion, each time which may be.
Here is hoping the present’s producers can stick that touchdown when the finale does arrive.
Have you ever been holding out hope that the collection could also be a last-minute reprieve?
