Looks like the CW will let "Girlfriends" end without a decent farewell. According to my boy Jawn Murray over at BV, the suits at the network made an offer to return for a "retrospective" episode that would feature recaps of the previous shows and cast members reflecting on those shows. The catch was, that they offered only half of their episodic salary for the half-baked finale!

To make matters worse, word is that they don't want to pay them for the remaining nine episodes left in their contracts that they plan not to shoot due to the writers strike. The cast is said to have hired a litigator to file a lawsuit against the network.

It's a crying shame that they torture us with other crappy shows and won't honor the one show that made the network popular.

Have something to say? Send it to the CW!


Send your letters of support to:

President of Entertainment – CW Network
Dawn Ostroff
818-977-2525
Dawn.Ostroff@cwtv.com

Director of Current Programming – CW Network
Traci Blackwell
818-977-2537
Traci.Blackwell@cwtv.com

President of CBS Paramount Network TV
Nancy Tellem
323-575-2380
nancy.tellem@tvc.cbs.com

Labels: Golden Brooks, Tracee Ellis Ross

I wasn't going to believe it until I heard some kind of official word from CW and, well, it came...and I am thoroughly disappointed! Good thing I tuned in Monday to see this week's episodes.

Due to costs, the CW decided to cut the show short and end the series. Here is the statement released by CW rep, Melissa Burton:

"The prolonged strike has changed business conditions and our programming strategy for the balance of the 2007/08 season. To better focus its creative and financial resources, The CW will only resume production on shows that are in consideration for renewal next year. As a result, we will not order additional episodes of the long-running comedy, `Girlfriends,' which planned to conclude its 8-year run at the end of this season. This was a very difficult decision for us, and was based solely on the considerable cost to license each episode in an extremely unusual business environment.

The affection, appreciation and respect for the show's accomplishments and the talents of the artists could not be greater. 'Girlfriends' was a landmark comedy that helped anchor important nights for both The CW and UPN, and proved to be one of the most enduring and popular shows in TV history with African-American viewers.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for eight great seasons from creator Mara Brock Akil, stars Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Jill Marie Jones, Reggie Hayes, Khalil Kain, Keesha Sharp and all the cast, crew and production who have worked on the show. We are in discussions with Mara and the cast to bring closure to the show and its fans with a retrospective special to air this season." [SOURCE]

I think it is pretty shady that the CW dropped its most popular show, after they continuously shifted its time slot, and poured money into horrible shows like "Aliens in America" and "Reaper." They could have saved that money to show the one consistent hit they've had some due respect. I feel horrible for Mara Brock Akil and all the actors.

Send your letters of support to:

President of Entertainment – CW Network
Dawn Ostroff
818-977-2525
Dawn.Ostroff@cwtv.com

Director of Current Programming – CW Network
Traci Blackwell
818-977-2537
Traci.Blackwell@cwtv.com

President of CBS Paramount Network TV
Nancy Tellem
323-575-2380
nancy.tellem@tvc.cbs.com

Labels: Girlfriends, Golden Brooks, Jill Marie Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross

Say it isn't so! There have been reports that the CW's Girlfriends have been canceled! Despite been one season away from becoming the longest running African American sitcom (9 seasons), some say that the CW has pulled the plug. To make it worse, reports say that the last 9 episodes won't be taped, even though the writers strike has finally come to an end!

No official statement from the network, however according to the CW website, the new mid- season line up has Girlfriends moving back to Sundays along with Everybody Hates Chris and The Game. Below is the new line up for Sundays, so I sure hope this is all hear say and not gospel because the 2 episodes last night leave too many questions. Plus, some say Toni Childs was to come back to the show...

Sunday (Beginning February 10)
7:00-7:30 p.m. “CW NOW”
7:30-8:00 p.m. “EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS” Encores
8:00-8:30 p.m. “EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS”
8:30-9:00 p.m. “ALIENS IN AMERICA”
9:00-9:30 p.m. “GIRLFRIENDS”
9:30-10:00 p.m. “THE GAME”

Developing...Keep You Posted

Labels: Girlfriends, Tracee Ellis Ross

With Girlfriends returning this fall for it's eight and final season [October 1st] everyone is wondering if Jill Marie Jones will reprise her role as Toni Childs. So Jawn Murray asked the best person, executive producer Mara Brock Akil that exact question...

"I know that a lot of the audience really missed Toni in the show. I completely understand it and I think I've mentioned it a few times in different articles that it was a disappointment to me as well. But you have to move on. This is part of the business side of things that sometimes affect the creative," Brock explained. "This is just one of the things that's out of my control. I don't have the control to make an actress come back to work." [READ MORE]

She says that Jill is more that welcome to return to the show, but that the show will be successful with or without Toni. Dubbing this season's theme as "Joy and Pain" Brock Akil is looking to end the show at its best. There is sure to be pain because a new character won't be returning! Joan's new husband-to-be, Aaron [played by Richard T. Jones] has a new show, so there is definitely a twist off the bat...will there be a new Aaron or will Joan find herself alone again? I don't know, but if one former lover could come back, it would be Malik Yoba back as Brock!

Labels: Girlfriends, Mara Brock Akil, Tracee Ellis Ross

Target hosted the release party for Common's new album Finding Forever, which is a pretty hot album I might add! So go ahead and cop that! Common looked comfortable and casual and those cheek bones are to die for!

Labels: Common, Evan Ross, Lauren London, Serena Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross

Labels: Big Boi, Ciara, Fonzworth Bentley, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Justin Timberlake, Keyshia Cole, Rihanna, T.I., Tracee Ellis Ross

Labels: Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah, Tracee Ellis Ross