As the list of 2024 TV cancellations expands, the premature end of “NCIS: Hawai’i” continues to draw attention. The CBS procedural was axed after just three seasons, and its lead, Vanessa Lachey, expressed her surprise at the decision. Fans are now mobilizing to rescue the show, with much of the cast rallying behind the effort. Jason Antoon, known for his role as cyber intelligence specialist Ernie Malik, has been particularly vocal about the cancellation on social media. Recently, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach addressed the cancellation, citing the need to evaluate “financials and performance overall.” However, Variety reported that “Hawai’i” ranked in the top 20 for the 2023-24 season. Antoon humorously shared Variety’s post on X (formerly known as Twitter) to ensure his followers saw the news.
Financial considerations and performance are critical factors in canceling a show, especially if both are lacking. Filming in Hawaii likely contributed to higher costs, despite the success of another CBS Hawaii-set show, “Hawaii Five-0,” which concluded in 2020 after ten seasons. It was also reported that “Hawai’i” was set for a significant pay cut if a fourth season was ordered. Despite these challenges, the show’s strong performance—ranked No. 16 for the season—has garnered attention, and Antoon highlighted this following Reisenbach’s comments.
The cast appeared to be blindsided by CBS’s decision to cancel “NCIS: Hawai’i,” making the news even more shocking. Fans have fervently campaigned to save the show since the cancellation announcement, and stars like Antoon have joined in ridiculing the network. He aims to demonstrate that “NCIS: Hawai’i” should not have been axed. Although the show’s future is uncertain, the campaign to save it persists.
Another compelling reason for the show’s revival is its cliffhanger ending. Just as it seemed “Hawai’i” would conclude on a high note, Jane returned home to find Maggie Shaw with urgent news. Unfortunately, the episode ended before revealing Maggie’s message, leaving fans hanging. The cancellation of “NCIS: Hawai’i” is all the more heartbreaking given its strong performance. Fans and cast members are determined to keep fighting to save the show and attract more viewers, even resorting to trolling CBS if necessary. In the meantime, Paramount+ subscribers can stream all three seasons, potentially boosting the chances of a renewal.
