As the list of 2024 TV cancellations grows, the untimely end of “NCIS: Hawai’i” continues to stand out. The CBS procedural was axed after just three seasons, and its star Vanessa Lachey revealed she was blindsided by the decision. Fans are now rallying to save the show, with much of the cast supporting the effort. Jason Antoon, who played cyber intelligence specialist Ernie Malik, has been particularly vocal about the cancellation on social media. Recently, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach addressed the cancellation, citing the need to evaluate “financials and performance overall.” However, Variety reported that “Hawai’i” ranked in the top 20 for the 2023-24 season. Antoon humorously shared Variety’s post on X (formerly known as Twitter) to ensure his followers saw the news.
Financial considerations and performance are key reasons for canceling a show, especially if both are lacking. Filming in Hawaii likely contributed to higher costs, despite the success of another CBS Hawaii-set show, “Hawaii Five-0,” which ended in 2020 after ten seasons. It was also reported that “Hawai’i” was slated for a significant pay cut if a fourth season was ordered. Despite these factors, the show’s strong performance—ranked No. 16 for the season—has drawn attention, and Antoon highlighted this following Reisenbach’s comments.
The cast seemed unaware that CBS would cancel “NCIS: Hawai’i,” making the news even more surprising. Fans have passionately campaigned to save the show since the cancellation announcement, and stars like Antoon have joined in mocking the network. He aims to show that “NCIS: Hawai’i” should not have been canceled. Although the future of the show remains uncertain, the campaign to save it persists.
Another compelling reason for the show’s return is its cliffhanger ending. Just when it seemed “Hawai’i” would conclude on a positive note, Jane returned home to find Maggie Shaw with urgent news. Unfortunately, the episode ended before revealing Maggie’s message, leaving fans in suspense. The strong performance of “NCIS: Hawai’i” makes its cancellation all the more heartbreaking. Fans and cast members are not slowing down in their efforts to save the show and attract more viewers, even if it means trolling CBS. In the meantime, Paramount+ subscribers can watch all three seasons, which might boost the chances of a renewal.
