David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place. Death of a sitcom
This past Monday, The CW’s sitcom “Girlfriends” quietly passed into that good night, airing two barely-seen episodes that, given that the network isn’t bringing the show back even though the writers strike is over, served as the show’s swan song. This received scant attention, though Mediaweek’s ratings guru Marc Berman noted, “Considering Girlfriends aired for eight seasons, an official final episode would have been appropriate.”
Well, someone must’ve been paying attention and complained, because today, Mara Brock Akil, the show’s creator, issued this statement:
"Although it's always difficult to say goodbye, I choose to focus my energy on the history that Girlfriends has made, the human stories that we told, the beautifully complex images that we projected and the blessings 172 episodes bestowed on us, both personally and professionally.”
OK, that may be going a little overboard, but then she adds, “I am immensely thankful to the amazingly talented cast, writers, directors, staff and crew for their endless dedication and hard work for eight seasons, to the network that always wanted us and the studio that always supported us, but mostly to the audience, especially African-American women, who took the time to tune into us every Monday night at nine to have a dialogue with us and who have been our partner in this journey.”
OK, that may be going a lot overboard, but then she adds, “I am currently in talks with the studio and network on putting together a retrospective show which will honor and celebrate this landmark series, so please stay tuned.”
It seems that once a show has eased past its prime and no longer puts up the numbers it once did, networks are no longer as kindly disposed to them and can pay them short shrift when it comes to giving them an appropriate send-off. It’s happened a few times over the years – to “Gilmore Girls,” to “Quantum Leap,” to “Arrested Development,” to “Angel,” to “Everwood,” to “Married With Children,” to “The Secret Diaries of Desmond Pfeiffer” (just kidding) and it almost happened this year to “Scrubs.”
So what these showrunners should do is, when they’re in the middle of their halcyon days, when they’re able to throw their weight around at the network, shoot a far-sighted episode that can serve as their series finale or nail down an iron-clad agreement with the network to shoot such an episode. And then fans won’t be denied a sense of closure when their favorite shows flatline. Because, you know, attention must be paid.