A television era has come to an end. Last Fridayβs Blue Bloods episode marked the final one, as CBS has canceled the show despite its consistently strong ratings. In my opinion, it was one of the best series on television during its 14-season run. As a lifelong New Yorker, I appreciated the stellar performances from a cast led by Tom Selleck and the show’s unwavering support for the police, as well as its advocacy for traditional family values.
Blue Bloods centered on the Reagan family, a multi-generational line of law enforcement officers in New York City. Frank Reagan, portrayed by Selleck, served as the NYPD commissioner, following in the footsteps of his father, Henry, also a former commissioner. Frank’s children, Danny (a detective), Jamie (a sergeant), and Erin (a prosecutor), as well as Jamieβs wife, Eddie Janko, were all involved in the NYPD. A tragic chapter in the familyβs story was the death of Frankβs older son, Joe, who was killed in the line of duty. Recently, Joe Hill, Joeβs son, emerged as a new member of the NYPD, using his motherβs surname.
While Blue Bloods certainly focused on solving crimes, it also explored the personal side of law enforcement, showing how the often difficult realities of police work affected the Reagan family. Unlike many other crime dramas, the show never bowed to political or corporate pressures to portray cops negatively, even during the height of the “Defund the Police” movement in 2020.
But Blue Bloods wasnβt about portraying cops as perfect. It showed them as human beings who face dangerous situations daily, willing to risk their lives for others, often making difficult decisions and dealing with the aftermath β including being second-guessed by critics who have never had to confront violent criminals.
As a recent Newsday article pointed out, Blue Bloods had a particularly strong following on Long Island, where many police officers and their families live, as well as commuters who travel to the city for work.
I admit to having a personal bias. My father served in the NYPD for over 30 years before retiring as a lieutenant. I also have many friends who work or have worked in the NYPD and other police departments. It was a privilege to closely observe police work during my time on the House Homeland Security Committee.
I had the chance to meet the Blue Bloods cast during visits to their Brooklyn studio and shooting locations on Long Island. All of them were exceptional people, especially Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg (Danny), and Will Estes (Jamie). Steve Schirripa, who played Anthony Abetemarco, was also a standout β just as genuine as the character he portrayed.
Iβm not one to be starstruck. Having met many public figures, I can say with certainty that the Blue Bloods cast was the real deal.
The big question remains: Why did CBS cancel a show with such loyal viewership and strong ratings? Was it because Blue Bloods resisted corporate pressure to be more progressive or βwokeβ? Were its traditional values, such as support for law enforcement, family, and patriotism, too out of step for some of its advertisers?
Regardless of the reasons, Blue Bloods fans will always have the memories of the Reagan family and their iconic Sunday dinners.
