Could we be witnessing the first inter-series feud within the “NCIS” universe?
Fans of “NCIS: Hawai’i” are pointing fingers at the forthcoming “NCIS: Origins” for the abrupt cancellation of their beloved series, and they’re making their grievances known on X, formerly Twitter, through a combined boycott and renewal campaign. Their concerns are diverse: some believe CBS couldn’t sustain both “Origins” and “Hawai’i” financially, opting instead for the seasoned franchise lead in a new series rather than an uncertain future. Others, like @nicolebbdos1, highlighted the budgetary implications, suggesting that both shows couldn’t coexist simultaneously.
Meanwhile, @julianna_author subtly suggested a boycott, while other fans raised issues about potential diversity shortcomings in a Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) origin story compared to the inclusive representation in “Hawai’i.” Speculations even surfaced that CBS might favor the demographic appeal of a show like “Origins.”
But was the cancellation truly driven by the potential overshadowing of a dark, possibly divisive Gibbs origin tale? According to CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach, the decision boiled down to a financial equation: balancing costs against revenue from ratings and other streams. She emphasized the network’s commitment to maintaining a dynamic schedule and evaluating overall performance post-SAG-AFTRA strikes, as reported by Variety.
Why, then, prioritize an untested series like “Origins” over a proven hit like “Hawai’i”? Interestingly, CBS may have been influenced by the success of “Young Sheldon,” a profitable spin-off from “The Big Bang Theory” that explores origins. This success demonstrated a strong audience interest in origin stories. With “Origins” set to feature narration by Harmon himself, there’s a deliberate attempt to replicate this formula more robustly when the series debuts this fall.
The decision-making process behind the cancellation appears multifaceted, with CBS navigating financial constraints and strategic scheduling choices. As tensions rise among fans, the introduction of “NCIS: Origins” signals a new chapter in the franchise, prompting varied reactions and highlighting the complexities of managing long-standing television properties.
Source: Looper