NBC Cuts Dick Wolf’s Most Realistic Firefighting Show Short
Realism doesn’t seem to sell.
Summary:
- While the most famous firefighting TV series on NBC is undoubtedly Chicago Fire, there was another show on the network that followed real-life cases.
- Created by Dick Wolf, LA Fire & Rescue offered a glimpse into the harrowing reality of being a first responder.
- Despite the show's popularity with viewers, LA Fire & Rescue was canceled by NBC after one season.
No matter how hard the writers of procedural dramas try to capture the attention of viewers, they can never come close to the terrifying reality of being a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic. The real stories, on the other hand, no matter how exciting or extremely dangerous, don't seem to satisfy viewers used to the soapy twists of fictional dramas.
Even under the careful direction of Dick Wolf, who has been in the entertainment business for decades now, the reality show LA Fire & Rescue, which aired on NBC for just one season in May of 2023, didn't manage to survive.
It turns out that no matter how hot (no pun intended) the topic of the show is, the moment the program doesn't match the perfectly balanced mix of rescues, love story and dramatic twists, the execs lose all interest. Even its 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating didn't seem to affect LA Fire & Rescue's chances of staying on the air for another year.
Why Was LA Fire & Rescue Canceled?
While we all know and love the fictional first responders, the characters of those who actually risk their lives every day to keep Los Angeles safe did not seem to be entertaining enough or mysterious enough to keep the show going into its second season. Despite a 90% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, LA Fire & Rescue failed.
However, the firefighting reality isn't the only show to fall victim to NBC's summer schedule cuts, which many have linked to the upcoming Olympics requiring extra TV coverage. Along with LA Fire & Rescue, the network also said goodbye to another show created by Peacock, Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.
But if you're craving some first-responder action, don't worry: NBC still has you covered. Chicago Fire, part of the massive One Chicago franchise, also guided by Dick Wolf these days doesn't seem to be going anywhere. If anything, the show is just getting started after another round of casting changes.
So be sure to tune in to Chicago Fire season 12 every Wednesday on NBC to never miss another episode! The first season of LA Fire & Rescue will still be available for a rewatch on Peacock.