Tom Selleck recently shared his thoughts on the “frustrating” conclusion of “Blue Bloods.” During an appearance on Ted Danson’s “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast, Selleck discussed the challenges the cast faced to keep the show running. Despite its success as the sixth-ranked broadcast show, the cast accepted a 25% salary reduction to continue the series.
Selleck clarified that the show lasted for 15 seasons, totaling 293 episodes. He described “Blue Bloods” as a “labor of love” for all involved, contrasting it with other shows where issues among cast members can make the environment difficult.
“’Blue Bloods’ was out of the top 100 shows on broadcast television, ‘Blue Bloods’ was No. 6 in our 15th year,” Selleck said, expressing his frustration with its end.
The actor, who played the family patriarch on the show, emphasized the strong bond among the cast and their willingness to continue. “Everybody wanted to come back,” Selleck noted. “We’d already taken a 25% cut in salary… But the show was very frustrating.”
Selleck praised the show’s ability to maintain the same cast for its tenure, highlighting the unique nature of their camaraderie. He noted, “You couldn’t very well replace Jamie [Will Estes] or Danny [Donnie Wahlberg] or anybody with another actor.”
Reflecting on the end of “Blue Bloods,” Selleck told TV Insider about his disappointment, despite the show’s success. He compared the show’s consistent performance to a network’s dream, guaranteed to win Friday night ratings.
“It’s going to take a long time to sort all of this out,” Selleck said, emphasizing the adjustment required to move on from the show’s ending.
Selleck also hinted at his reluctance to join Donnie Wahlberg’s spin-off, “Boston Blue,” believing his role is to ensure “Blue Bloods” holds a significant place in television history.
Brie Stimson, an entertainment and breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, covers stories from Los Angeles.