Primetime Bombshell: The *Real* Reason CBS Canceled This Beloved Show
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CBS’ Bob Hearts Abishola came to a bittersweet end on May 6 after five seasons on air. Why was Bob Hearts Abishola canceled? Keep reading to find out.
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Bob Hearts Abishola (stylized as Bob ❤️ Abishola) was a CBS sitcom created by Big Bang Theory creator Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, Al Higgins and Gina Yashere. The series premiered in 2019 and centered on Bob Wheeler (Billy Gardell), a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit who unexpectedly falls for his nurse, Nigerian immigrant Abishola Adebambo (Folake Olowofoyeku), while recovering from a heart attack. The cast also featured Yashere, Christine Ebersole, Matt Jones, Maribeth Monroe, Shola Adewusi, Barry Shabaka Henley, Vernee Watson-Johnson, Bayo Akinfem, Anthony Okungbowa and Saidah Arrika Ekulona
In November 2023, news broke that the comedy had been canceled by CBS and would end with Season 5. After a reduced 13-episode season, the show wrapped up with an emotional series finale set seven years into the future. We have there is to know about the show’s cancelation below, including how the cast feels about it.
Why was Bob Hearts Abishola canceled?
On Nov. 29, 2023, CBS announced its decision to end Bob Hearts Abishola with Season 5. News of its cancelation came just a few months after it was reported that only Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku had their series-regular options exercised to remain on the multi-camera comedy full time. The rest of the 13-member cast were reduced to recurring as an effort to cut costs and secure a renewal.
“We are so proud to call Bob ❤ Abishola a CBS comedy as it helped establish a new generation of programming at the network,” Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, said in a statement at the time of its cancelation. “This series expertly showcased a family love story and workplace comedy about the immigrant experience with heartfelt humor and emotion while also authentically portraying Nigerian culture. It’s a testament to the incomparable Chuck Lorre, the amazing creative team led by Al Higgins, Gina Yashere and Matt Ross, and the talents of Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku and the entire cast for making this show and its characters come to life and resonate with viewers. We plan to celebrate it this spring and give fans the most amazing episodes to remember it by.”
The cancelation was likely a financial decision, as Bob Hearts Abishola had solid ratings throughout its five-season run. It premiered as the No. 1 new comedy of the 2019-20 television season and, along with its Monday time slot mate The Neighborhood, they were the top two comedies during the 2022-23 season among African American viewers.
Ahead of the Season 5 finale, Olowofoyeku reflected on the show ending. “It’s a bittersweet,” she told reporters. “Bitter because it’s coming to an end, sweet because of the work we’ve done here for the last five years.” She continued: ?It’s extremely impactful. I can speak for my culture, Nigerians, the reflection of these characters in such a positive light, is something we’ve yearned for, for so long. It gives context to our experience as immigrants and as Nigerians as a whole. I feel like the impact of this show will reveal itself for many more years to come. I don’t think we fully comprehend the work we’ve done here. I feel very grateful. I learned about gratitude on this show.”
The series had a satisfying ending, which kicked off with a seven-year time jump. In the future, Abishola completed medical school and was now a successful pediatrician; Bob had just retired; Dele moved to New York City to be on Broadway; Kemi opened her own food truck and Abishola’s mother Ebunoluwa had married Pastor Falade. The episode concluded with several flashback’s from Bob and Abishola’s love story, including their engagement and wedding.
Of the finale, Gardell told TVLine: “It really let us land the plane in a beautiful way, and we got to bring the entire cast back.”
“Because of economics, we couldn’t have everybody in every [Season 5 episode], so we tried to service a few people each week, just to keep us all connected,” he continued. “But to get us all back on the final show to see where they had matured, where Bob and Abishola had settled, what happened with Dele and how he had matured, and to give a nod to where they’re going and what they had also accomplished [was perfect].”
Episodes of Bob Hearts Abishola can be streamed on Paramount+.
For more on primetime shows, check out this gallery on your favorite primetime stars’ real-life partners.
