Despite its enduring success, CBS canceled Blue Bloods, and the network made the cancelation even worse by announcing the procedural’s successor. The Reagan family show was on television for 14 seasons. Blue Bloods‘ success in its final installment proves that it could have gone for several more. Fans of the series vehemently opposed its cancelation, as did Blue Bloods’ cast. Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg, who play father and son Frank and Danny Reagan, respectively, have been particularly outspoken about their desire to see the show continue for Blue Bloods season 15. However, the show remains canceled.
In its final season, Blue Bloods left vital questions unanswered, proving the show had more material to continue its run. The cancelation of the beloved procedural ultimately came down to the cost of paying its cast members, whose salaries had increased with their time on the series. Still, considering the Blue Bloods cast’s loyalty, it’s a shame that Frank’s career development, Danny’s major life impasses, Erin’s (Bridget Moynahan) and Jack’s (Peter Hermann) remarrying, and Jamie’s (Will Estes) and Eddie’s (Vanessa Ray) journeys as parents won’t play out on the flagship.
SWAT Will Take Over Blue Bloods’ Time Slot After It Ended
CBS Will Shuffle Its Friday Night Programming
CBS worsened Blue Bloods‘ cancelation by announcing S.W.A.T. season 8 would take over Blue Bloods‘ time slot when Shemar Moore’s show returns from its midseason break. S.W.A.T. aired the first half of season 8 on Friday nights at 8 pm Eastern, and the second half of Blue Bloods‘ final season aired on Friday nights at 10 pm. After its midseason return, S.W.A.T. will slide into Blue Bloods‘ former 10 pm Friday time slot. The network’s decision means that Sergeant Daniel Harrelson, aka “Hondo,” will come to fans a few hours later on CBS’ programming roster heading into the weekend.
S.W.A.T. season 8 and Blue Bloods season 14 previously flanked the popular firefighting drama Fire Country, which holds CBS’ time slot at 9 pm Eastern. The schedule shuffling won’t affect season 3 of Max Thieriot’s drama about Bode Donovan and his firefighting journey. While S.W.A.T. could lose some viewers in the shuffle, the transition could ultimately garner more viewers in the long run. Alternatively, CBS’ Friday night programming could lose some appeal in general without Blue Bloods, which proved to be one of the network’s heaviest hitters, anchoring the evening.
SWAT’s Cancelation Was Reversed A Couple Of Times (Blue Bloods Wasn’t)
Movements To Save Blue Bloods And SWAT Existed
Considering what’s been happening with S.W.A.T. and Blue Bloods‘ renewal statuses, CBS’ schedule update is downright perplexing. Now airing its eighth season, CBS first canceled S.W.A.T. ahead of season 7. However, CBS reversed S.W.A.T. season 7’s cancelation due to unrest from fans and its leading “Hondo” actor over the decision. The network said it was bringing back the show for season 7 to bring closure to storylines and characters. However, instead of closing the series at the end of season 7, CBS returned the show for season 8.
