"7th Heaven" Prepares Its Exit
"7th Heaven" has run far longer than anyone would have expected, replenishing its cast several times along the way. But now it's time to go. Here's the official announcement:
The WB Network and Spelling Television announced today that 7TH HEAVEN, the longest-running family drama in television history, will conclude its historic 10-year run on The WB at the end of this season.
The debut of 7TH HEAVEN launched The WB's first-ever Monday night broadcast on August 26, 1996, at 8:00 p.m. Remarkably, the series has remained in that timeslot ever since, holding its own against the 92 other series that have aired against it over the past 10 seasons. Recently the series celebrated its milestone 200th episode.
"We're announcing this decision now to ensure a monumental send-off for this series which has become one of the most important shows in the network's history," said David Janollari, President of Entertainment for The WB. "Brenda Hampton has already begun work on scripts for the second half of the season. These episodes will be filled with emotion and life-changing events. We owe a compelling and unforgettable final season to the Camden family and to the millions of viewers who helped grow this program into a huge hit. The WB is eternally grateful to Spelling Television, the producers, cast and crew of the little show that could — and did."
"7TH HEAVEN is as dear to my heart as any series I have ever produced," said Aaron Spelling, legendary executive producer of the series. "Not many shows make it to 10 years and it's even rarer for a series to go out on top after 10 seasons. That result is a huge testament to Brenda Hampton, who created the series, and the phenomenal cast who have made the Camdens America's number one family for a record-breaking decade. I thank all of them and The WB for putting on a family show when it wasn't very cool to do so and then sticking with it in the same time slot for the entire run of the show. When 7TH HEAVEN launched on this new, little network in 1996, we had no inkling that we would one day make history, but we did and for that I am grateful and very, very proud."
"Although we had anticipated this could be the last season, it was difficult breaking the news to the cast and crew," said Brenda Hampton. "At this point, we're all very much a family. However, just like the Camden kids, I think we've all grown up and it's simply time to leave home. We choose to feel happy and blessed to have been part of this series, and we are very grateful to all our fans."
"7TH HEAVEN has been a gift," said Stephen Collins. "Going to work on something every day that means so much to so many people is pure joy. Working with Aaron Spelling, Brenda Hampton and The WB, plus making a bit of TV history while watching our wonderful cast grow up in real time, has been the experience of a lifetime."
(end WB announcement)
The audience for "7th Heaven" is about 5.1 million viewers this year, well below its peak. While it was long the most popular show on the network, it has been eclipsed by the likes of "Gilmore Girls" and "Smallville." People also thought of it as a family show — a notion The WB embraced, but one I'd qualify as "a really bizarre family show with staggeringly inconsistent values" — and The WB has been trying to position itself as a more adult-skewing network.
When people look back at "7th Heaven" in a few years, they'll see a show that was in essence The WB's "JAG" — not especially hip, not likely to draw kudos from critics, but something that still had a loyal, week-in/week-out audience regardless of what else the network was doing. "JAG" was crucial to CBS as it made the transition to the network it now is; "7th Heaven" was important to The WB as it tried to get established.
November 11th, 2005 at 1:40 pm
I started watching "7th Heaven" during the summer of 1997, the re-runs of the first season. I became quite attached to the show because of many the messages that it was sending out to its viewers. The Camdens were a large family who through good and traumatic times really supported and loved each other. It dealt with issues present in society today, too numerous to mention here. The show also attempted to tell teenagers in today's society how to conduct and think of themselves the right way despite all of the peer pressures to do the wrong things - - smoking, drinking, pre-marital sex, drugs, and etc. It was a very positive message if teenagers were willing to have their eyes and ears open to the message being stated. As an example, Simon in last year's episodes was sexually active with many partners. One of his many girlfriends was previously infected with a sexually transmitted disease, only telling him so after they had sexual intercourse. Simon naturally agonized that he had contracted an infectious disease himself from her, until tests confirmed weeks later proved otherwise. Simon knew that he was very lucky. Simon wisely learned a powerful message about having sex with so many partners, even though they did use a contraceptive. We know though, as Simon foolishly chose to ignore, none of these devices are 100% safe. As through this example above, the Camden kids, through the show's run were by no means perfectly angelic kids, and they often realized and understood the consequences of their actions and its different reprecussions. The Camden parents, sadly unlike so parents today, spent the necessary time with their kids trying to teach them right from wrong, and were positive influences and role-model for their kids.
Several years ago, I felt that the quality of the episodes grew weaker as there were simply too many cast members, and different plots on the shows. Personally however, I felt that the show made a strong comeback last season when the plots were focused back on where they needed to be, the Camden family and how they interacted with each other. Many unnecessary characters, (Ashley Simpson as Simon, then Martin's girlfriend) were eliminated last season and the show rebounded in quality. I also feel that this year, in what will turn out to be the final year, has especially been strong and powerful messages being sent with Martin having gotten an older college-aged girl pregnant and Simon being engaged in what would be a disastrous future marriage, and if he were smart, he would break it off with this Rose character ASAP. She is too demanding, controlling, manipulative, and self-centered. The entire Camden family sees Rose for who she is, except for Simon who would suffer the consequences if he does tie the knot with her.
One thing that I always wanted to ask Brenda Hampton the writer of the show. How can Ruthie, who in the first year of the show, (1996-97) was 4 years old and not even in kindergarten, now 9 years later be a sophomore in high school and age 15 going on 16? The math doesn't add up. They have re-runs of the show on another network and one particular episode happened to be one from the first season. Ruthie was a few years younger than her current twin brothers, (who are now 6) and in the particular episode, then, Mrs. Camden made reference to her age as being 4 years old! I'm sure that the writers had their reasons for doing this, because Ruthie is intellectually brilliant. But, I fail to see the point in aging her a few years from what she should really be chronologically in the show, (13 and not 15).
Still this has been a very important show to the WB network, I am sad to see it go after this year. Kudos to all of the actors and actresses in the show for their parts in helping make "7th Heaven" to be such an excellent family-oriented show, and one that is so necessary today if you compare it to most of the obnoxious junk proliferating network TV on so many channels.
November 11th, 2005 at 2:41 pm
You are obviously a bigger fan of the show than I am, so thanks for sharing your impressions of the show. As for the question about Ruthie's age, I came across a couple of Web sites referring to her being 5 in the first season. But TV math is often hazy when it comes to characters' ages — making them take a long time to get older or, in the case of child actors, speeding up the process. That way, a rapidly aging child actor still looks the age of his or her character; Mackenzie Rosman, who plays Ruthie, will be 16 in December (according to the Internet Movie Database). Also, aging may be sped up so the show's writers can deal with topics that might not be appropriate with a younger child.
November 14th, 2005 at 9:47 am
I was sorry to hear 7th Heaven will be going off the air after this season. I think it is the best family show going. I have watched it since it started in 1997 and will have to start taping them again so I can watch them over and over again.
Wish there was something the fans could do to keep the show going.
Hope the cast go on do do other things .
Sincerely
Helen kreitel
November 29th, 2005 at 5:29 pm
Hello,
I heard recently this is to be 7th Heavens
last season. I am very saddened by this. Even
though this show has enjoyed a long run, I
still enjoy it very much. These days, one does
not see too many family oriented programs.
There is far too much sex and violence in this
day and age. Though I didn't discover this
show until a few years ago, thanks to repeats,
I have seen every episode. This is a beautiful
show that teaches life lessons every week.
I have heard WB is taking it off due to
finances. That bothers me more than you will
ever know. If I thought the stars wanted to
end it to move on to other projects, I
could possibly find that acceptable. But to
take a beautiful show off the air because of
finances is totally un-acceptable. Take off
one of those sex/violence shows off the air
and leave our beautiful 7th Heaven alone.
I will close now because I have said my
peace and (no joke) I am ready to cry.
Please take my thoughts as well as others on
this boards thoughts into consideration and
fight to keep 7th Heaven on. PLEASE!!!!!!!!
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Kari Grier Evjy
Waltham MA
December 13th, 2005 at 6:09 pm
I have been watching 7th Heaven since I was 14. At first, the main reason for watching the show for me, was Barry Watson. But as I grew older, I yearned to see the show every monday, even the episodes that didn't have Barry Watson in them. The show has taught me a lot about life, love, and responsibility.
March 5th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
please please do not cancelled 7th heaven
March 6th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
I was very sad to hear that 7th Heaven was going off the air. I have watched the show for years with my family. It is one of the only shows that I feel comfortable letting my children watch and it has frequently led to a lot of disscusions in our home around the issues that the show has covered. With all of the shows on tv centered around sex and violence it is refreshing to have a show centered around a family with strong values that also covers the issues of today. I know there is probably no way the producers will change their minds and continue the show so all I can suggest is to not let the wedding happen between Simon and Rose. The characters over the years have really focused on their christian faith and to let this wedding happen would be counter to the last 10 years of lessons. The character of Simon hopefully will realize that he could not spend the rest of his life with someone who is so selfish and a nonchristian more than anything else. I hope that television will realize that there are families out there that really value family show that are really family shows and will produce more of these in the future.
March 26th, 2006 at 5:15 am
Dear Aaron Spelling and Brenda Hampton:
I just want to make it clear about a few issues. You have done a marvelous job creating such a blessed story on 7th Heaven. But now I am dissappointed BECAUSE as much as all the people who have watched faithfully that you have now hurt them and I am speaking on behalf of myself. Yes we all know that its over, but for you to just CUT IT OFF just like that with no happy ending is sinful. We loved the characters and of course you two, but why such a horrible ending. The Campdens was a spiritual family and you brought in some crazy girl for Simon as this is nothing spiritual about her and this charcter for SImon is not good. Why can't you end the show with everyone saying Goodbye in a group and everyone happy..You told us that Mary was going to play a role and I waited and waited and not a sign of her. I can speak about myself, that my feelings have been hurt becuase of the way its ended, and yes I agree the characters now have to move on in their real lives and I have accepted it, but to leave the show up in the air with no memory of how they will be leading thier lifes. I refuse to watch another show from you two because it hurts at the end. You did a great job with Happy Days when they all got together at the end of the last of the series and said goodbye and thanks and so WHY CAN'T YOU DO IT AGAIN WITH THIS ONE. Start thinking of our emotions and our hearts and minds of those who faithfully watched that 7th Heaven. I don't have a tv program and I don't watch much tv, so I don't know when AND IF your going to do anymore about the show. So start thinking of the people and their feelings and not just because you have to end the show. You can arrange somethng that will stay on the minds of the people forever with a Lovely, Blessed Farewell from the cast of 7th Heaven. Signed Reverend M. and again if I would have know it was going to end and its now gone just like that, that I would have not even got started to watch knowing I would be hurt at the end.
March 26th, 2006 at 5:23 am
We agree totally of what rev Maggie wrote. There is no excuse why your cast of 7th Heaven can not say good by and thanks as a finale. Maybe all can't make it, but at least the ones who can speak for them. We too won't watch anymore of your shows if endsing are CUT and DRY. We are people with feelings and how we intrepret the program can very well hurt our feelings and by you cutting the program series right off without any notice is by all means hurting us. After all it was all of us who PAID TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM ON THE AIR, AND THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO US.
May 8th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
We have been watching this show since the beginning. It was something we all sat and watched as a family. I'd like to see it come back next year. I felt as if it left us hanging. What happens with Sandy / Simon & the baby. What happens with all the children all having twins. Ruthie and Martin need to get together. Bring it back 1 more season. It's a better show then all these "reality" shows. Don't leave us all hanging on this last finale!!!!
May 8th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
i love this show. i just watched the very last episode and im crying my eyes out. Whoever is reading this please do something for this show. this may sound dumb but this is what keeps me alive all day. i go throug as much drama as 7th heaven and i dont just want this show. i need it. this show is like my 7th heaven
May 8th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
That last one is signed emily. i promise id do anything to meet Beverly Mitchell and get this show back. this show reminds me there still is hope especcially for people like me. please let me keep my seventh heaven. Signed Emily
May 8th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
There is so much disgusting filth on television. I recently discovered this show and loved it!
I missed ten years of wonderful family television viewing and now it's cancelled. All of you who have been privileged to see it the whole ten years were lucky. I came in on the tail end. What a bummer.
I only watch 2 shows on television and both were cancelled this year.
It's time to give up TV.
May 9th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Why did they have to cancel 7th Heaven right as it was getting good? Why did they leave us confused, not knowing what was going to happen with all of the kids' news? I want to see what happens. The way the finale ended confused me. It was great, but I want to see more
May 10th, 2006 at 9:13 am
hello brenda this is holly a big 7th heaven fan and i wondered if your going to have a spin off i mean cause lucy,sarah.and mary are pregnant and it just dont make since to end it after 10 years. i love that show please make all the box sets DVD for 7th heaven. please have a spin-off! also please e-mail me back at this e-mail address. thank you hellokitty192844@wmconnect.com
May 11th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
I watched the last episode ever of 7th Heaven.
I have to say I am in mourning. I feel like I
have lost something very dear to me. Simon did
not get married after all. But Matt and Sarah, Mary and Carl-
os having twins then Lucy and Kevin having
twins too. I would've loved to see that evolve.
I wish I wasn't left hanging. I also wish
there had been a goodbye scene where the cast
comes out and thanks everyone. I honestly
thought, by the title, that this was going to
happen. No coverage of it in magazines either.
This show means alot to me and even though
it is in syndication, it still is not the
same.
Thank you for listening to me.
Best Regards, Kari
May 11th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
The final episode was great. Of course a little far fetched regarding one set of twins due and another set of twins due and then another set. Being that Eric and Annie had 7 children then there should have been 7 grandchildren but instead you made it 8 children. Oh well. Glad that Simon didn't marry. Glad Mary stayed married, as well as Sarah and Matt. Good show and good ending. BUT please in near future bring them back for a reunion. I am now watching the repeats. Blessings to all and thanks for 7th Heaven. Hey there producers, how about making another family program.
May 11th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
Hey everyone. 7th Heaven came to us all for a reason to watch. Its now over sad to say, but this is television life. Lets consider this program as a message to all of us now as we now go forward in life. The lessons taught here are to be kind and considerate to one another, no lieing, loving and forgiving to all the people we meet. There are many lessons to be learned by watching this program. We watched it faithfully with loving hearts and open minds. Now lets all put these lessons into our daily lives by practising and living these pure virtues every day of our life. 7th Heaven was not only to be watched, but also to learn from it and like I said, it came to us for a reason. Most of Hampton programs always does. The show is over and thats all there is to it. Maybe in future there will be another family program in the making. As for Simon and Sandy, you have to use your imagination. As for the others having babies, then so be it as their life moves on as well. Ruthie is still growing and same with the twins. So use your imagination and accept that the show has ended. And yes it was a special loving program and yes there will be more similar.. Thanks producers and God Bless.
August 31st, 2006 at 4:24 pm
I just started to watch 7th heaven this summer. I really fell in love with this family. Oh so sorry to say good-by to them.
September 24th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
I absolutely love this show. It rocks. I am so excited about the 11th season. I can't wait. I will be glued to the tv on September 25. I am looking forward to seeing Stephen Collins!!
October 5th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
I would like to meet all the actors that play in 7th heavens show and so u know that im hard of hearing to
October 16th, 2006 at 8:58 am
I have watched and enjoyed 7th Heaven from the first episode to the present. That the show is coming to an end is sad, but what really saddens me is the insuation from Sunday's show that Eric has some incurable illness. I would much rather have them move to some faraway place than to have them die. Hey, I'm a sucker for a happy ending. Regardless, of how it plays out, I will be there for the end just as I was for the beginning.
November 5th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Please consider another season. I want very much to see Ruthie and Martin really fall in love and marry.