Fox just announced that it will be cancelling two of its “highest-rated” shows—The Resident and 9-1-1—and fans are saying that, thanks to the controversial decision, they are “so over” the network.
Despite high ratings for both shows, and the fact that 9-1-1 is actually Fox’s highest-rated show overall, the network axed both in one of the most shocking decisions of the 2022-2023 season. Luckily for fans of 9-1-1, however, the cancellation doesn’t necessarily mean the end.
Fox has “cancelled” 9-1-1 their highest rated scripted show!! Thats after also cancelling The Resident, their #3 show. Does anyone watch anything scripted on Fox anymore?? https://t.co/UUlE6WcpSG
— Danny Manus (@DannyManus) May 1, 2023
The Resident
Fox's medical drama The Resident was cancelled after its 6th season, and unlike the luckier 9-1-1, it won't be returning on another network.
The series, which starred Matt Czuchry and followed the medical staff at Chastain Memorial Hospital, had received some lackluster ratings in its most recent season, which saw total multiplatform viewers down 12% from season 5.
Speculation that the drama was on the chopping block swept social media back in March when fans noticed several recognizable props used in The Resident at a "major network medical drama prop and liquidation" sale.
Series co-creator Amy Holden Jones responded to the cancellation news on Twitter April 6th:
It was a great run. #TheResident lives on @hulu where you can watch commercial free. Today is a day of gratitude for our amazing cast and crew and the life altering experience we shared. https://t.co/bP4mfOCPtt
— Amy Holden Jones (@aholdenj) April 7, 2023
9-1-1
Fox recently reported that the season 6 finale of scripted hit 9-1-1 will also be the last episode produced by the network. In a statement, Fox said it had "been an honor to be the founding network of 9-1-1" and that they were grateful to creators "Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear" along with the shows cast and crew for "delivering such an impactful series to Fox."
Even after 6 seasons, 9-1-1 was still Fox's top-rated scripted series for adults 18-49 and the network's most-watched series overall—but it was also Fox's most expensive series as well, with each episode costing about $9 - $10 million according to Deadline estimates. These high costs are attributed to the top-name talent attached to the show, including recent Oscar nominee Angela Bassett, and extensive visual effects and stunt work.
We are so excited to welcome 9-1-1 to ABC! https://t.co/UoRplWsvIF
— ABC (@ABCNetwork) May 1, 2023
ABC, for its part, seems thrilled to have snagged the big-budget show for its 7th season: "Thanks to the creative drive of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, as well as the talented cast, 9-1-1 has been one of the most defining and original dramas on network television over the last six seasons and we are honored to bring it to the esteemed group of series on ABC," said Craig Erwich, president of the Disney Television Group. "It's a privilege to keep 9-1-1 in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air."
Disney acquired 20th Century Fox Television along with other Fox assets in 2019.
