Tom Selleck Reflects on the End of Blue Bloods and the Legacy of Broadcast Television
Tom Selleck, the iconic star of Blue Bloods, recently expressed heartfelt gratitude to CBS and reflected on the end of the beloved cop drama, which is wrapping up its impressive 14-season run. As the series approaches its final eight episodes, Selleck took the opportunity during a panel at PaleyFest in New York City to acknowledge the network’s role in giving the show a proper send-off and to share his thoughts on the evolving world of broadcast television.
CBS and Blue Bloods: A Fitting Conclusion
Blue Bloods has been a staple of CBS’s lineup since it premiered in 2010. The show, which follows the multi-generational Reagan family of New York law enforcement officers, has maintained a dedicated fanbase over the years. With its heartwarming family dynamics, action-packed crime plots, and timely social issues, the series has resonated with viewers and become a Friday night favorite.
Selleck, who plays the stoic and principled NYPD Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, took a moment during the PaleyFest event to thank CBS for allowing the show to conclude on a high note. He acknowledged that the network didn’t just abruptly end the series but instead agreed to create the final eight episodes to celebrate and commemorate the legacy of Blue Bloods.
“These eight shows that we can look forward to are because CBS agreed and wanted to do that,” Selleck said. “They wanted to not only celebrate Blue Bloods but commemorate its legacy. And I just wanted to thank them.”
The Decision to End Blue Bloods
While Blue Bloods has remained a strong performer in the ratings, CBS made the decision to conclude the series after 14 seasons. As the entertainment industry faces increasing competition from streaming platforms, broadcast networks have had to reconsider their long-running shows. The financial strain of keeping such a large, star-studded cast on a long-running show likely played a role in the decision. Network executives acknowledged that Blue Bloods had been a vital part of their lineup, but as with all shows, its time had come to an end.
Selleck has been candid in past interviews about his frustration with the decision, feeling that Blue Bloods was sometimes taken for granted because of its consistent success. “My frustration is the show was always taken for granted because it performed from the get-go,” he said after the cancellation was announced.
The Power of Broadcast Television
During his remarks at PaleyFest, Selleck also reflected on the broader landscape of television and shared his belief in the enduring value of broadcast TV, even in an age dominated by streaming services. With viewers increasingly turning to streaming platforms that offer endless options, Selleck lamented how broadcast television has sometimes been pushed to the background.
“I have great faith and have had great faith in broadcast television,” he said. “I think it’s suffered from being put in second or third place.” In a world where audiences are inundated with choices, Selleck expressed his pride in Blue Bloods for becoming “an appointment,” a show that people would tune into each week at a set time.
“That was hard at ten o’clock at night … That’s rare,” he noted, emphasizing that the ability to hold an audience in a tough time slot was a testament to the hard work of the cast and crew. “As much as anything, it’s a reflection of the work we do. And that’s kind of the ultimate compliment.”
The Iconic Family Dinner Scene
One of the most enduring and beloved elements of Blue Bloods is the Reagan family’s weekly Sunday dinner scene. Every episode features the entire family gathered around the table, sharing a meal and discussing the events of their lives, often touching on the moral and ethical dilemmas they face as members of the law enforcement community.
Selleck discussed how these family dinner scenes became the heart of the show and a unique feature that set Blue Bloods apart from other police dramas. “We have an audience that, by the time we sit down to the family dinner, they know an awful lot of secrets that maybe everyone at that table does not know. And that’s the sense of discovery … ‘Hey, wait till he hears that’,” he explained.
The late Blue Bloods executive producer Leonard Goldberg, who first envisioned the family dinner as a cornerstone of the show, was honored during the event. Selleck began the evening by reading an emotional letter from Goldberg’s family, paying tribute to the man who helped shape the heart and soul of the series.
An Emotional Farewell for the Cast
As the final episodes of Blue Bloods begin to air, the cast and crew are feeling the emotional weight of saying goodbye to a show that has become such a significant part of their lives. Bridget Moynahan, who plays Frank Reagan’s daughter, Erin Reagan, shared how much the family dinner scenes mean to fans. “People come up to us and thank us for those scenes,” she said, reflecting on the powerful connection the show has created with its audience.
Donnie Wahlberg, who plays Detective Danny Reagan, and Marisa Ramirez, who portrays his partner Detective Maria Baez, were also on hand to discuss their deep emotional ties to the show and their fellow cast members. Len Cariou, who plays Frank’s father, Henry Reagan, humorously pointed out that despite playing Selleck’s father, there’s only a six-year age difference between the two actors.
The cast, visibly emotional, spoke about how they would miss the daily camaraderie and the routine of working on Blue Bloods. Selleck expressed how much he would miss the “actor family” and the opportunity to come together every eight working days to create something special.
“That opportunity that we had, that gift of once, every eight working days, seeing everybody … You could always look forward to that,” Selleck said. “It’s two families – the Reagan family and the acting family.”
The Legacy of Blue Bloods
As Blue Bloods heads into its final stretch, it leaves behind a lasting legacy. It’s not just another police drama, but a show that emphasized the importance of family, loyalty, and moral integrity. For 14 seasons, the Reagan family has captured the hearts of viewers with their relatable struggles and unwavering commitment to each other and their community.
For Selleck, the show’s success is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of everyone involved. While it may be the end of an era, the legacy of Blue Bloods will live on through the impact it’s had on audiences and the stories it’s told.
As Selleck said, “It’s been a gift, and I’ll miss it dearly.”
The convo followed the screening of tonight’s episode, “Life Sentence.” In it, Erin is accused of jury tampering, complicating Danny and Maria’s homicide case. Eddie bonds with a child murder witness. Frank clashes with his friend and confidant Archbishop Kearn (Stacey Keach) over the death penalty. Jamie joins forces with his nephew Joe Hill (Will Hochman) to recover his stolen car. Peter Hermann is back as John “Jack” Boyle, a defense attorney and Erin’s former husband.
