A day after CBS announced CRUSH would end after six seasons, series star Shemar Moore addressed the cancellation, saying the network was making a “f-king mistake.”
Moore posted a video to Instagram on Saturday letting fans know he was disappointed the network decided not to move forward with the series.
“I’m a little sad,” the actor said. “CRUSH has been cancelled. It does not mean anything. Find the articles, read the articles. We’re the top Friday night show at 8 p.m. for CBS. For the past two years we’ve been killing it, us and the fire show [Fire Country]who comes right after us, and respect to these brothers and sisters.
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As previously stated, the ratings were not the reason for the cancellation. This season CRUSH averaged 6.8 million total viewers and a 0.7 rating, up about 6% in viewership from Season 5, according to Nielsen figures.
Instead, cost and economics were the primary factors in the decision to end the series.
“We didn’t do anything wrong. We did everything that was asked,” Moore said.
[Watch the video below]
CRUSH premiered in 2017 and centers on LAPD Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore) and his team of highly skilled men and women as they solve crimes in Los Angeles.
Moore noted that the series features a diverse cast and brings something rare to network television.
“Did you know I’m the only African American male on network TV, not streaming, not cable – network television,” he said. “NCIS: Los Angeles, LL Cool J, Chris O’Donnell, respect, lots of respect. LL wasn’t number one [on the call sheet], was Chris O’Donnell. But LL is a beast. Don’t twist it, don’t mix up my words.
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Moore praised Angela Bassett, who leads the cast of 9-1-1which was recently canceled by Fox and picked up by ABC.
“Now let’s go beyond me,” Moore continued. “When I was hired to be Hondo on CRUSH., CBS was getting a lot of flack for lack of diversity. If I post this, and I think I might, I’ll be in a lot of trouble with CBS because I’m calling them.
The young and the restless alum said CBS has been “wonderful” to him for most of his 29-year career.
“But being abruptly told that you’re canceled when you made us believe last week, and the week before, and the week before, that we would have some semblance of season 7 to at least say goodbye, if not continue, and be told abruptly: “It’s over, there is a lot of politics”, he said.
The actor confirmed that the decision to end the series was financial.
“It’s all about the money. They said we were done. But guess what, I don’t think we’re done. CBS is either going to wake up and realize they made a error.Sony [the show’s co-producer] will do his calculations and realize that this is not the right decision.
He went on to say that 300 people work on the show and they suddenly find themselves without jobs.
“If this is the end, life will go on. I don’t worry about myself. I care about my family – my crew, the writers, the producers, the caterers, the wardrobe, the sound mixers, the truckers, the construction crew,” he explained. “That’s a lot of people being suddenly told you don’t matter. Sorry. Thank you for your services. Good luck finding a new job. For me, that’s not OK.
Moore urged fans to come together to save the show.
“Make some noise, and let them know that the cancellation CRUSH is a king’s mistake,” he added.
The actor concluded by saying of the cancellation, “That’s not the way to hang out. If we’re going to hang out, cool. But let’s hang out okay.
CBS thanked the show’s cast and crew for their “incredible work” in a statement Friday.
“For six seasons, the incredible talents of CRUSH the cast led by Shemar Moore, writers, producers and team led by executive producers Shawn Ryan, Andy Dettman and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas brought us gripping and action-packed episodes that also tackled important social issues and contributed to the success of our primetime programming,” said Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment.
The last episode of CRUSH is set to air on May 19.
Watch Shemar Moore’s video below.