Tom Selleck Celebrates CBS’s Long-Running ‘Blue Bloods’ and Highlights the Value of Broadcast TV as Series Approaches Conclusion
Tom Selleck Expresses Gratitude to CBS as ‘Blue Bloods’ Heads into Final Episodes
Tom Selleck thanked CBS for the final eight episodes of the beloved family cop drama Blue Bloods, which begins airing tonight and will conclude the show’s impressive 14-season run.
“These eight episodes we can look forward to are a result of CBS’s desire to celebrate Blue Bloods and commemorate its legacy. I just wanted to express my gratitude,” the actor shared during the show’s panel at PaleyFest in NYC.
When Season 14, Part 2 wraps, the series will have aired nearly 300 episodes. Part 1 previously aired from February to May.
Deadline reported almost a year ago that CBS planned to end Blue Bloods. Network executives explained, “All shows have to come to an end. It’s important to us to refresh the schedule,” acknowledging the show’s status as a staple of the lineup. The financial implications of maintaining a long-running series likely influenced this decision.
Cast members have voiced their disappointment over the network’s choice to end a broadcast television show that still attracted a significant audience. Selleck, who portrays NYPD Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, expressed his frustration in earlier comments, saying, “The show was always taken for granted because it performed from the start.”
At the PaleyFest event, Selleck also emphasized the importance of broadcast television, which has faced challenges due to the rise of streaming services.
“I have great faith in broadcast television. I think it’s suffered from being placed in second or third place. Not everyone wants to spend an hour searching for something to watch,” he noted, expressing pride that Blue Bloods became “an appointment viewing” experience.
“That’s rare at 10 o’clock at night, and it’s a testament to the quality of our work,” he added.
Blue Bloods airs Fridays at 10 PM ET.
Selleck reflected on the clichés in series television, noting, “We acknowledge them, which enhances the audience experience. By the time we sit down for the family dinner, the audience knows many secrets that might not be known to everyone at the table.”
He referred to the multi-generational New York law enforcement family’s weekly Sunday dinner, which serves as a focal point in each episode.
During the event, Selleck read an emotional letter from the family of late executive producer Leonard Goldberg, who originally envisioned the dinner scenes as central to the show.
“People often thank us for those moments,” remarked Bridget Moynahan, who plays Selleck’s daughter, Erin Reagan Boyle.
Other cast members present included Len Cariou (Henry Reagan), Donnie Wahlberg (Detective Danny Reagan), Marisa Ramirez (Detective Maria Baez), Vanessa Ray (Eddie Janko), and showrunner Kevin Wade.
Cariou humorously acknowledged the six-year age difference between him and Selleck, while Wahlberg credited his time with New Kids on the Block for the show’s popularity.
The panel reflected on the bittersweet end of an era and a significant part of their lives. “I really miss the routine of working together,” Selleck admitted. “But what I miss most is my friends, my actor family.”
He noted the unique opportunity they had to come together every eight working days. “It’s like two families—the Reagan family and our acting family.”
The conversation followed a screening of tonight’s episode, “Life Sentence,” which involves Erin facing accusations of jury tampering, complicating Danny and Maria’s homicide investigation, while Eddie forms a bond with a child murder witness. Meanwhile, Frank finds himself in conflict with Archbishop Kearn (Stacey Keach) over the death penalty, and Jamie teams up with his nephew Joe Hill (Will Hochman) to recover a stolen car. Peter Hermann returns as John “Jack” Boyle, Erin’s former husband and a defense attorney.
