Sitcom Saga: No Finale For 'Girlfriends' and Litigation Looms
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, 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 built 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 showsNo 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.
Wow this is really sad... I'm speechless
