Kelsey Grammer’s ‘Boss’ canceled by Starz after two seasons
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE November 20, 2012 1:52PM
In this image released by Starz Media, Kelsey Grammer portrays Chicago Mayor Tom Kane on the Starz original series, "Boss." (AP Photo/Starz, Chuck Hodes)
Updated: November 20, 2012 3:25PM
“Boss” won’t be getting another term.
Pay-cable network Starz won’t pick up a third season of the drama, which features Kelsey Grammer as a ruthless Chicago mayor trying to hold onto power as he struggles with a progressive brain disease.
“After much deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with ‘Boss.’ ” Starz said. “We remain proud of this award-winning show, its exceptional cast and writers and are grateful to Kelsey Grammer, [creator] Farhad Safinia and our partners at Lionsgate TV.”
The series concluded its 10-episode second season in October.
Shot in Chicago, “Boss” made heavy use of local actors and technical crew members. Chicago Film Office director Rich Moskal says the show generated around $20 million per season in wages, equipment rentals and hotel stays, among other things.
He also says that while most primarily Chicago-based programs haven’t faired all that well over the years and none has attained blockbuster status, that’s simply par for the course. Many shows are short-lived or tank quickly, he notes, but “we tend to pay a lot more attention” because there’s far less TV production here than in New York or Los Angeles.
Discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of a two-hour conclusion to the series, but no deal is in place.
Grammer, an executive producer, received a Golden Globe for his first-season portrayal of Mayor Tom Kane.
Contributing: Mike Thomas
