Sitcom Saga: No Finale For 'Girlfriends' and Litigation Looms

Posted Mar 28th 2008 5:05PM by Jawn Murray
Filed under: BV Buzz

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Don't hold your breath waiting on a proper finale for the long-running sitcom 'Girlfriends.'

I reported in the BV Buzz on February 12, 2007 that the Kelsey Grammer-produced sitcom, which stars Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White and Reggie Hayes, was one of the first casualties following the end of the Writer's Guild strike and that The CW had opted to cancel it without fulfilling its remaining nine episodes.

Well I've now learned exclusively that The CW made the cast members an offer to return for a "retrospective" episode that would feature recaps of the previous shows and cast members reflecting on those shows.

The CW apparently only offered to pay the actors half of their episodic salary to shoot the makeshift finale, thus the stars collectively opted not to participate.

In addition, several people close to the show tell me that The CW refuses to honor the contracts of the principal cast members and does not intend to pay the actors for the nine episodes that will not be taped.

Now the show stars have hired a litigator who will file a joint lawsuit on behalf of the talent, suing the network for the money they are due.

"The network told them point blank, 'Sue us!' After using this show to help build its name, The CW has turned their back on them and disrespected them in the most horrible way," said someone associated with the show, who spoke under the condition of anonymity.

A rep for The CW was unaware of a pending lawsuit or the latest developments with the show's finale.

"To the best of our knowledge no lawsuits have been filed. Nor is there any new word on finale special," said show publicist Paul McGuire via e-mail.

The CW announced its early renewals for the fall television season at the beginning of March. 'Gossip Girl,' 'One Tree Hill,' 'Smallville,' 'Supernatural,' 'Everybody Hates Chris' and 'America's Next Top Model' were the shows picked up.

No word on the fate of 'The Game,' the 'Girlfriends' spin-off also produced and created by 'Girlfriends' executive producer Mara Brock Akil.

The CW has however allowed 'The Game' to fulfill its commitment for its remaining new episodes for the current season, but whether it will return in the fall has yet to be determined.

Reader Comments

1. Man why cant we just get along? I was hoping to see a girl friends movie like the one they are doing for sex and the city.

Jarobie Anderson at 8:27PM on Mar 28th 2008

2. I am really getting tired of the networks screwing us like this. The CW could allow a final episode to clear up the loose ends. ABC pissed me off with My Wife and Kids.. I am about to stop watching these shows completely because when I show interest then "Bam" it is gone...WHO in the hell want to watch Alien in America???? WTF that is the show that should have been canceled!!!!

Rhonda at 2:55AM on Mar 29th 2008

3. I've seen about 3 episodes of "The Game". I watched "Girlfriends" when the network was UPN. I hope to see these women in other sitcoms. They are all such great actors.

Pumpkin at 9:33AM on Mar 29th 2008

4. I totally agree with Rhonda. Why isnt Alien in America still on when Girlfriends and The Game are in trouble?(Well Girlfriends is gone and the Game is up in the Air). What I dont understand is why arent their more black shows on t.v. Everytime we find one that we like they find a way to yank it off. I am not racist or anything but I can better relate to Black shows. I am not into the Hills,One tree Hill,Smallville or shows like that. They dont interest me one bit. And the reality shows I am just scik of altogether. Everytime you turn around its another reality show about something. NO MORE PLEASE. I would rather watch old Re-run shows like Goodtimes,Martin,and so on and so fourth.

Quinda at 9:41AM on Mar 29th 2008

5. This is terrible I love this show, girlfriends is the best sitcome out here today what is wrong with everybody? Noone can expect great actresses to work for half of their salary. If you ask me and no body has but I think they should be getting tripple the salery that thwey were getting these girls are great. thanks Karen Walker a 53 year old grandmother who loves the show

Karen Walker at 9:52PM on Mar 29th 2008

6. This sux. I hop they do sue CW needs 2 hour the contract.

@ Rhonda, @ Quinda : I agree . Aliens needs 2 be cancelled, who da fvck watched it?

I like Game but Im so pissed @ Mara that it needs 2 be cancelled so she gets her wakeup call. She gave the WB\CW\K Grammar & great show & when they didnt support her she shoulda been fighting.

lilkunta at 4:20PM on Mar 31st 2008

7. @ Rhonda & & @Quinda: I agree. Aliens shouldnt have even been made. I get it but come on, racist ppl in US thinking every1 is a terrorist so they aint watching the show , they dont want to open their minds !

lilkunta at 4:21PM on Mar 31st 2008

8. Once I wrapped my mind around the fact that I have traveled this long path with Joan to matrimony and NOW I WON'T EVEN GET TO SEE THIS BROAD GET MARRIED! I'm angry! How difficult would it be to end the show on a high note?

Pamalicious at 10:01PM on Mar 31st 2008

9. Just like Fox, the WB, UPN, CW, or whatever they call themselves, used Black shows and audiences to build up their network and then dumped them for goofy white programming. When will we learn?

Tierra at 12:25AM on Apr 1st 2008

10. HOLLYWOOD STOP IT!!! BRING BACK GIRLFRIENDS TO FINISH OUT IT'S SEASON PROPERLY. THIS IS SO TYPICAL OF HOLLYWOOD!!! GIRLFRIENDS AND THE GAME JUST ABORTED T.V WITH NO COME BACK OR PROPER ENDING FOR THE DEDICATED FANS LIKE MYSELF. YOU GUYS SUCK!!!!! ALL THE OTHER SHOWS ON YOUR NETWORK ARE COLORLESS AND HORRIBLE. EVENTUALLY THEY WILL GET CANCELLED TOO. BUT I'M SURE YOU GUYS WILL AIR THE SH-T OUT OF THE PROMOS FOR THE FINALE EPISODE. TO ALL MY BRILLANT BLACK ACTORS ON GIRLFRIENDS AND THE GAME DON'T WORRY MORE SHOW'S WILL COME AND MOVIES. THEY CAN'T STOP US!!!!

PEACE

pris at 1:45AM on Apr 1st 2008

11. The only show I will watch on the CW is Everybody Hates Chris. If this show ever gets cancelled, I won't be watching at all. I hope they win the lawsuit. They deserve better than this.

BeautifulLovedBlessed at 7:40AM on Apr 1st 2008

12. It's all racist, because I'm sure if it was Sarah Jessica Parker and her friends, they would have had a proper sendoff, but I guess that's what happens when you have a succesful black sitcom.

Kay at 9:03AM on Apr 1st 2008

13. I agree with all of you I would love to see Joan get marry finally, also, I love supporting my people by watching their shows and getting hook on them and once I'm hook looking forward to next week they, are no where to be found until 1 year later an they are showing reruns from the very beginning that sucks also Mara and Kelsey Grammer which we all knows he don't care cause everything is going to fall back on her(mara)

Ernestine Forbes at 10:45AM on Apr 1st 2008

14. Girlfriend should continue to be shown. If you are like me I will not watch another show on CW unless Girlfriend is shown on it. I say hit them where it hurst and that is on the screen. Stop watching that channel all together and watch what happens. Ratings will drop and then they will have to regroup and show what the people want to see.

debbie at 11:06AM on Apr 1st 2008

15. Just goes to show you how much hatred is still in the world and on the air. I don't particularly care for shows that has brought cartoon animations to life. I think the line up is so artificial I purposely bypass the channel all together. We have the right to see adversity on T.V., but that is not what we as the public see. Get real, how long do we have to be in LaLa land before they realize that supernatural is not everyones thing. If you're going to cut a show give them their due respect and allow them to have their final good-bye with the same pay and grace that you've given the other shows. Just plain HATRED.

L. Hill at 11:21AM on Apr 1st 2008

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