Rizzoli & Isles canceled??? Last week at the Television Critics Association winter press tour Kevin Reilly, president of TBS and TNT and the chief creative officer for Turner Entertainment, mentioned that this summer will be the last for Rizzoli & Isles.
The news took most critics by surprise, as it did fans. As for how the cancellation of Rizzoli & Isles came about, Reilly said: “I think both ladies have had a really satisfying experience, and sort of indicated that — look, I don’t know that they wouldn’t do any more, but I think they felt very comfortable. The producers felt that way. It’s had a good run. It felt like it was time, and we all kind of discussed it, and everyone said, ‘Yeah, let’s go out, finish 13 great ones, and call it a day.’ Everybody felt good about that.”
Well, everybody but the legions of fans who have been watching the series since Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander introduced us to Boston detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles. The series has consistently ranked year-over-year in cable’s top TV series lists. In our 2014 Channel Guide Magazine’s Viewers Voice Awards, Angie Harmon schooled all other TV cop shows in the Top Cop category taking 97% of the votes. Even at this year’s 2016 People’s Choice Awards, which aired last week, Sasha Alexander won for Favorite Cable TV Actress.
“This is amazing! I got a People’s Choice Award!” said Alexander. “I’m really, really grateful for the fans. Thank you for watching, thank you for following my journey and jumping from one series to another and I’m really grateful.”
It’s not surprising that the Rizzoli & Isles’ cancellation has ignited fan disappointment on social media, as well as in our inboxes. Here’s what some of the fans are saying:
“This guy is a idiot maybe he should go to OZ and ask the wizard for a brain, Rizzoli & Isles is one of the highest rated shows on TNT.”
“What an ungracious way to end TNT’s top-rated show, Rizzoli & Isles. Kevin Reilly said, ‘Everyone felt good about that.’ He needs to look at the TNT R&I Facebook page and read some of the comments by viewers who are angry, sad, and bewildered at his decision. Oh, and somebody needs to post an announcement there of the cancellation decision to show some respect for the viewers.”
“This sucks, I love Rizzoli & Isles. Never fails get into a program and they want to cancel it, just like Longmire going to NETFLIX. I guess they think that everyone should get that in order to see it. I hate TV networks.”
Some fans are even giving detailed advice to how they want the final episodes to play out. “Dear Kevin Reilly, TNT, WB, Jan Nash & Writing Team: This is my very personal plea … Now the bizarre decision has been made to end the top rating show Rizzoli & Isles, there are just 13 episodes that remain to be written and filmed. Please, please, please do not waste precious screen time with lame stories involving the minor characters.”
The final season of Rizzoli & Isles will be 13 episodes and will air this summer on TNT. What are your thoughts on the series being canceled? Do you agree it was time?