Bless The Harts Cancelled After Two Seasons On FOX

FOX has canceled Bless the Harts after two seasons. The series had a rough go for the first season in terms of overnight ratings, and the show was subject to numerous delays as a result of NASCAR overruns. With the show having numerous production companies involved, FOX is showing preference to original animated series that have fewer hands in the profit pots, more-so series that are produced solely by FOX Entertainment and subsidy Bento Box Entertainment. We saw this on display back in January when FOX originally had scheduled Bless the Harts for a January 3rd special slot opposite The Simpsons only to replace that with The Great North, a far more profitable series from a production company point of view and which has already been renewed for a second season.

We were also the first to report that Bless the Harts was one of the series taken off the 20th Television website via Disney along with Duncanville. The latter series is possibly also on the chopping block for similar reasons, however, I’m told does well on Hulu, which could save it. The showrunners of Duncanville, Mike and Julie Scully, have just signed on with The Verve for representation.

Read our interview with Bless the Harts creator Emily Spivey.

Synopsis:

Created and executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Emily Spivey (“The Last Man on Earth,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Saturday Night Live”) and featuring a voice cast of comedy all-stars, including Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jillian Bell, Ike Barinholtz, Kumail Nanjiani and Fortune Feimster, BLESS THE HARTS is a half-hour animated comedy that follows the Harts, a Southern family that is always broke, and forever struggling to make ends meet. They one day hope to achieve the American dream, but they’re already rich – in friends, family and laughter.

JENNY HART (Kristen Wiig) is a single mother supporting her family working as a waitress in the small town of Greenpoint, NC. While Jenny’s the head of her family, she’s often at odds with, or scheming with, her lottery scratcher-obsessed mother, BETTY (Maya Rudolph), and her witty, creative daughter, VIOLET (Jillian Bell). Jenny’s doting, eternal optimist boyfriend of 10 years, WAYNE EDWARDS (Ike Barinholtz), is the love of her life and a surrogate father to Violet. He’s a charming dreamer who may never hit the big time, but he’s not going to give up the fight. Jenny’s even got a bit of divine power in her corner, as JESUS (Kumail Nanjiani) regularly appears to her while she waits tables at neighborhood restaurant The Last Supper, with her friend BRENDA (Fortune Feimster). In the end, the Harts may not have much, but they may just have everything they need. This season features guest voices Ken Jeong, Natasha Lyonne, Chris Meloni, Kristen Schaal, Mary Steenburgen and Drew Tarver.

BLESS THE HARTS is a co-production of FOX Entertainment and 20th Television. Animation is produced by Titmouse. Emily Spivey created the series. The series is executive-produced by Spivey, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Kristen Wiig and Andy Bobrow. Spivey and Bobrow serve together as showrunners.