Image Credit: The CW
It wasn’t entirely unexpected, but CW topper Dawn Ostroff told advertisers today in New York that One Tree Hill will return to the network’s midseason lineup next year for its final 13 episodes. It will be the drama’s ninth (!!!) season.
Miraculously, the long-running series was given the greenlight for another year — a pretty remarkable feat, since the drama has set some sort of record for having been a bubble show every season for the past eight years.
The CW will attempt to lure Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) and Hilarie Burton (Peyton), both of whom left in 2009, back for the show’s final episodes.
Wait, One Tree Hill is still on?
There’s one on every board. It stopped being funny about 5 years ago.
In Matt’s defense, I honestly thought didn’t know the show was still on either.
Yeah, same, I seriously thought it was already cancelled
Seriously. It’s like 7th Heaven all over again. How did this show survive this long?
Actually, it’s not like 7th Heaven at all. 7th Heaven performed strongly for the WB (it was it’s highest rated TV show ever) and when The WB merged with UPN to become the CW, it continued to do well. When the 10th series “finale” did extremely well for the CW, (watched by 7.5 million viewers), they opted to renew for an 11th (and final) season. However, they ended up moving the show to Sunday nights and because of budget cuts, not all cast members made regular appearances. Ratings fell and the show ended (this time as scheduled). It wasn’t a “bubble” show (except for possibly the 11th season) like OTH and was always a high ranking show for the WB and for the most part, the CW.
Wow… you know a lot about the history of 7th Heaven! I just meant in terms of crappy-show-that-somehow-remains-on-the-air, the two are very similar.
It remains on the air because it has a loyal following that sticks with the show no matter what. It’s never been the top-rated show or most buzz-worthy show but its filled with characters that the fans love and root for and because of that, its always been relatively stable ratings-wise. Whether you love or hate the show, you have to give credit where credit is due. I don’t think any other show could survive losing two of its stars, multiple time jumps, a different time slot practically every season, two mid-season premiers and still maintain its core fanbase nine years later.
Seriously dude, stop using my name!!! People are going to think I’m some snarky catty punk.
After the finale, I was prefectly happy with the show’s ending. It really came full circle. Maybe now they can get old favorites, like Lucas, Peyton, Deb, and Karen to return to say good-bye
I agree. This season finale felt like a series finale, but I think they’ll do good things in the episodes that are left. Hopefully more Dan, Deb, Karen!
that is all i want. the 8th season finale felt like a series finale but i wouldn’t have been satisfied without Leyton there for the final farewell of the much loved One Tree Hill!!
It is and it is better than ever. I’m one of the few who enjoys not having Lucas and Peyton on there. They were too whiny for me. This season’s finale would have made a great series finale. It wrapped up nicely.
Agreed on all points!
Agree about Lucas/Peyton characters and how it’s been better than ever!
I agree – I was a late comer to the series and it definitely was more enjoyable with Lucas and Peyton gone. Although I could have done without Quinn.
EAF, I could have done without Quinn too. Pointless character imo.
I agree. I haven’t missed CMM or Hilarie at all.
Yes, they should have ended it there because it was a perfect series finale. I assumed they thought they would be done, that’s why they moved forward through 6 months in one episode.
Jennifer, I totally agree, by the end of them leaving I couldnt wait and they were one of my favorite couples. I love the new cast and I am glad the get to come back for at least 13 episodes and hope they do come back with the other cast members for a perfect good bye. If it would have been the series finale i loved how they did come for circle.
im sorry but the one just went down hill when half of the cast was fire anyways Peyton now on White Collar and Lucas is suppose going to be on the Good Wife
Oh. No. Please no. Please tell me CMM isn’t going to be on The Good Wife.
That doesn’t mean that, schedules permitting they can’t be lured for the final episodes, like many others have done with their respective shows, despite current jobs, in the past.
They weren’t fired – they chose to leave. I think it was largely due to salary issues.
Are Lucas and Peyton coming back for the series finale?
Are they?
Are they?
ARE THEY ?????
*tears* Are they ?????
CMM already said he’d come back for Season 9 if he was asked. I wouldn’t hold your breath for Hilarie. She had a pretty lame excuse as to why she couldn’t make Brooke’s wedding and with White Collar filming, I doubt we’ll see her again. She’s made it pretty clear she has no desire to return.
It certainly beats standing on the side of the road with a “Will work for food” sign.
WOHOO!! YES!! I thought that show was going to outlive us all!
It should have been cancelled by now week! I’m so tired of it.
The series had some positive qualities but they are really dragging it on now without any direction and no stories left to tell. They should have made it shorter but better written and they would have been able to have ended by now.
It never fails to astound me that this show survived when Gilmore Girls didn’t. There is no justice in this world.
Well, with Gilmore Girls it was more that Lauren and Alexis wanted out.
And it lasted 7 seasons so it was hardly short lived.
Exactly. As much as I love Gilmore Girls, it was time for it to go. The stars wanted out and Amy Sherman Palladino had also left and the show took a distinctly different tone once that happened. It went out on a positive note!
How long did you want that show to go. It had 7 perfectly good seasons and premiered three years before OTH did. You can’t expect it to outlast every show ever made.
13 episodes…. I would have been fine with this season being the last if they had given the show runners the news and allowed them to write definitive end of series episodes. They have been on too long not to give the fans (And yes, there are fans!) a decent ending. I just really wanted them to have the same courtesy as Smallville and not get screwed over at the last minute like GG, Veronica Mars and Everwood did. But I do agree that it needs to end. And had this been the end, I would have been ok with the way it was written…. but it ISN’T and I am THRILLED!!
And also, tvline is saying that Chad and Hilarie will definitely be back for at least part of the season. They have a while to work out the kinks since the season won’t premier until 2012.
The season finally could have been perfect for the series finally. I can’t imagine what they need to wrap up.
I stopped watching when CMM and HB left, but I’m very proud of the show for making it this long. Perhaps if Chad and Hilarie return, I’ll catch up and watch the final season.
LOVE the show and bummed to hear it’s ending. IMO it’s gotten so much better since Peyton and Lucas left. The show has matured and focuses on real issues while still having the typical “drama” you’d expect from a series. The actors and writers are doing a fabulous job! The season finale did fit as a series finale but I’m glad they’ll be back for at least another season! Granted, with all that happened in that one episode, they could have had another full season or 2!
I thought the finale was great, and was really convinced it was the end. After being heartbroken that I’d just seen the last episode of One Tree Hill, I googled it and found this? I agree that the show is able to continue for another season, if some new characters are introduced, or even better with Chad Michael Murray or Hillary Burton coming back, as I think that would provide a complete end of the show for the viewers, however the chances of that happening are quite slim. I think that the season finale was great, but should have been the series finale, as it brought closure – but it’ll be interesting where it goes from here.
The finale looked like an ending. It’s not Smallville, everything was wrapped up nicely, just let it be done. I love the show but they seriously were running on fumes this season.
THIS IS AN INSULT FOR A SHOW IN IT’S 9TH SEASON.
That would be “its” – not “it’s”.
the most convoluted,perplexing,tortuous and maddening show ever
I honestly thought this went off the air a few seasons ago.