Is 'Bob Hearts Abishola' ending? Fans left devastated after CBS removes series regulars in a massive shakeup
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: CBS sitcom ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ has always managed to receive a lot of love from viewers and continues to win hearts with its heart-warming storytelling. However, the network has taken a sudden decision to reduce the show’s main cast for Season 5. The series primarily focuses on Bob Wheeler, owner of a compression sock business in Detroit, who falls in love with Abishola, a nurse at Woodward Memorial Hospital. The series is all about their relationship and how they live their lives despite having differences with each other.
For four seasons, the CBS series has managed to spread an uncountable number of laughs because of witty dialogues and brilliant performances. The renewal was expected, but there are some big changes coming to the show in Season 5 that might shock a lot of people.
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11 out of 13 series regulars have been 'demoted'
According to a report by Deadline, almost all of the series regulars are getting demoted to recurring guest roles in the upcoming season. The report also indicates that only lead actors Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku have been upped as series regulars, meaning they are the only actors in the series who will be paid for every episode of the upcoming edition. This also means that all the other 11 series regulars from the previous season have now been brought down to recurring status and are only guaranteed to make appearances in five episodes of Season 5.
The report also suggests that actors can now take other TV jobs if they want to. They would just have to notify the producers about their new gig so that they can get enough time to not include their character in that particular episode.
The series regulars that have been demoted to recurring cast members include Matt Jones (Douglas), Christine Ebersole (Dottie), Maribeth Monroe (Christina), Shola Adewusi (Auntie Olu), Vernee Watson (Gloria), Barry Shabaka Henley (Uncle Tunde), Bayo Akinfemi (Goodwin), Travis Wolfe Jr. (Dele), Gina Yashere (Kemi), Anthony Okungbowa (Kofo), and Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Ebunoluwa).
Citing sources, the media outlet also reported that ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ might come to an end with a 13-episode Season 5. However, some believe that CBS will order nine more episodes to bring the upcoming season in line with Seasons 3 and 4.
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Without any guesses, fans were left stunned as soon as the news of this “demotion” surfaced online and expressed their disappointment on social media. One of the fans wrote, “Really disappointing that 11 of the series regulars have been demoted to recurring with only a 5-episode commitment for Season 5 of #BobHeartsAbishola. This is a very funny show with a talented cast. They manage to have 13 regulars each week on a sitcom & make it work.” Another social media user tweeted, “The powers that be messing with one of the best comedy ensembles on network television.” Another fan noted, “This breaks my heart. This is my fav show. This will be the beginning of the end. The ENTIRE CAST makes this show such a hit.”
“This demotion of the majority of the cast is so upsetting!” wrote another user. “This makes me pretty sad, Bob Hearts Abishola is genuinely a fantastic sitcom, easily one of the best shows I watch for work,” tweeted another one. “Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku are terrific, but the reason #BobHeartsAbishola is as good as it is is because of how well Gardell and Olowofoyeku play off of the rest of the ensemble,” wrote another one.
The massive shakeup means that Season 5 will mainly focus on Bob and Abishola and their relationship. It would be interesting to see how the creators will be able to handle these changes.
The release date for ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Season 5 hasn’t been announced, as of yet.