Trib Total Media TV Writer Rob Owen Answers Reader Questions
Q: Why are they taking “Blue Bloods” off the air? I don’t believe their ratings suddenly fell. I think it’s because they prayed on every episode!
— Eileen, Hempfield
Rob: That doesn’t pass the logic test. If the family praying, which viewers have seen since the beginning, was a problem for the network, wouldn’t the network have canceled the show before — checks notes — 14 seasons had passed? As with most cancellations, it’s likely related to finances. Every year a show is on the air, the people who work on it expect raises. At some point, regardless of ratings, a show becomes too expensive to justify its continuation. That’s likely what happened to Blue Bloods, which returns for its final run of episodes at 10 p.m. Oct. 18.
Q: Why did WPXI-TV drop “Sherri”? Her talk show is amazing! I DVR “Sherri” and watch her every day!
— Jimmy, via email
Rob: I suspect Channel 11’s decision to drop Sherri was less about the show itself and more about another opportunity. As noted in the fall daytime TV preview, Channel 11 had success with Judge Judy in the afternoon as a lead-in to its 5 p.m. news. When Judy Justice became available, station executives jumped at the chance to use it as a lead-in to the station’s 4 p.m. newscast. Looking at the May 2024 Nielsen ratings, Sherri was the lowest-rated daytime show on Channel 11 among viewers aged 25-54. That’s likely why Sherri was cut. The new season began Sept. 23, and Pittsburgh viewers can still access episodes on the show’s website.
Q: I see that “Judy Justice” is now on WPXI. Has “Justice for the People with Judge Milian” been renewed? Are there any other new judge shows?
— Theresa, Irwin
Rob: I’m not aware of any new court shows in daytime syndication other than the Judy Justice reruns on WPXI. Many of these shows are produced by smaller outfits with limited promotion, which can make information hard to find. Justice for the People with Judge Milian appears to be airing reruns at 1 and 1:30 p.m. weekdays on WPGH-TV, Channel 53, but I haven’t confirmed whether it’s been renewed or canceled. The show’s website doesn’t list local stations, only cable and streaming channels.
Q: What’s the deal with the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire”? Word from a judge commenting on Facebook is that 35 new episodes are in the can but they haven’t aired any new episodes since last fall. Why are they holding so many episodes? Each episode features a smith who won and they all deserve to be seen.
— Doug, McCandless
Rob: This question came in a few months ago, but I didn’t get a satisfactory response from the network at the time. Earlier this month, History announced a premiere date: Forged in Fire returns with a two-hour episode on Oct. 2 at 9 p.m., followed by its regular 10 p.m. Wednesday slot starting Oct. 9. As for the delay, the network didn’t provide a reason, but it seems likely they prefer to debut new episodes in the fall to have fresh content available for advertisers leading into the holiday shopping season.
