The Neighborhoodbrings in consistently strong ratings, so fans have questions about why it’s ending after the upcoming season 8. Created by Jim Reynolds, who served as showrunner for the first three seasons, the CBS sitcom debuted in October 2018. The story explores what happens when Dave Johnson, the nicest man in the Midwest, moves his family into a Los Angeles neighborhood.
With a cast that includes Cedric the Entertainer, Tichina Arnold, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Sheaun McKinney, Marcel Spears, Skye Townsend, and Hank Greenspan,The Neighborhoodseason 8was announced as the last earlier this year. As it turns out, the decision has more to do with financials rather than its performance with viewers.
The Neighborhood Was A Strong Performer But Canceled Due To Cost
It’s Part Of An Overall Trend
At the time thatThe Neighborhood’s end was announced, it wasin the top four of live-action sitcoms on broadcast television. According toTVLine, it came in just behind fellow CBS comedy hitsGeorgie & Mandy’s First MarriageandGhosts.On the whole, for its seventh installment, the series averaged 6.5 million in the ratings when delayed viewing was taken into account.
Although these numbers are certainly solid,The Neighborhoodcoming to an end has more to do with cost. As reported byDeadline, the renewal for season 8 was not a guarantee. The show is expensive for several reasons. The major issue is that it features a relatively large group of main actors, many of whom are comedy veterans, such as Cedric the Entertainer, Arnold, Behrs, and Greenfield. The renewal only came after negotiations with the cast and new deals were cleared.
The Neighborhoodis also more costly because, in general,long-running shows tend to increase in cost due to higher pay for the cast and crewas the show ages. Looking at CBS alone, a similar calculus led to the ends of boththe cop proceduralBlue BloodsandNCIS: Los Angeles.
The frequent refrain is that networks and studios are often looking for ways to save on costs, often by favoring spinoffs or other types of continuations. Executives at CBS have explored this path withThe Neighborhood, as well, to mixed results.
Giving The Neighborhood A Season 8 Allows The Story To Be Wrapped Up Well
There’s Time To Say Goodbye
CBS explored aNeighborhoodspinoff focused on Marty and Malcolm, ultimately deciding not to move forward. A spinoff led bySNLand30 Rockalum Tracey Morgan is also awaiting a premiere date at Paramount+. The current status ofThe Neighborhooduniverse underscores the overall trend of cheaper spinoffs being favored over relatively more expensive, older shows.
The Neighborhoodwill nonetheless get a proper ending. Behrs, who plays Gemma Johnson, underlined this fact when she spoke of how the proper farewell stands in contrast to her past experiences with2 Broke Girls, which was canceled without a formal final episode.Behrs reflected on2 Broke Girls' cancelationin an Instagram post: “I’m just so grateful to @cbstv for a chance to say goodbye to GEMMA the right way.”
Although fans may be a bit annoyed by the cancellation and the financial justifications behind it, the news means that showrunners and executive producers Bill Martin and Mike Schiff will get the space to say goodbye to each individual character inThe Neighborhood. It’s a benefit that many beloved series simply don’t get.
