Will The Grand Hotel Shut Its Doors Forever – Will ABC Cancel Or Renew?

Fans and stars of the drama Grand Hotel are wondering whether the season finale on Monday, September 9, will end the series forever. ABC’s President of Entertainment, Karey Burke, promised last month that the network would not make a final decision to cancel or renew until after the end of the show, which has been on the bubble since it premiered in June to low ratings.

Clearly concerned that the ax will fall, series stars are rallying support across social media. Katey Sagal, who was cast against type and stole the scene as powerhouse mobster Teresa Williams, tweeted that she would “love more love for Grand Hotel.” Bryan Craig thanked the fans profusely but posted on Instagram that the “future for now is unknown.” Although his character, Javi Mendoza uses his prosthetic leg and fake stories about being a war hero to pick up women, Craig took the portrayal seriously, meeting with amputees and researching prosthetics and ramps to build a more believable character.

Reviews of the summer soap vary widely. While most can agree with TV Guide’s observation that Grand Hotel is “glamorous, sexy, and mysterious,” many find the show flat and lacking the heart and humor needed to connect with viewers. It has been called “a joyless slog” by TIME Magazine and “all froth, no fun” by the Hollywood Reporter.

Networks cancel TV shows based on dismal ratings and profitability and Grand Hotel faces an uphill battle in both areas. Ratings slumped over the Labor Day holiday to the lowest the show has seen since its premiere. However, all of ABC’s Monday night programs experienced a downturn, including a 10% drop for Bachelor in Paradise.

Despite the ratings slide, #GrandHotel was trending on Twitter after its most recent episode and fans are using the hashtags SaveGrandHotel and RenewGrandHotel to get ABC’s attention. Although the network has packed its 2019-20 schedule with comedies, its reported renewal of the dramas Station 19 and How to Get Away with Murder, both of which struggled in ratings, should encourage anxious Grand Hotel fans.

Part of what gives the show its movie-like quality is the visually-stunning wardrobe and set, which likely requires a significant production budget. The pilot episode was shot in the luxury Fontainebleau Miami Beach while later shows filmed on a set built to recreate four stories of the opulent Riviera Grand Hotel, including tunnels for staff. Actors not in hotel staff uniforms wear bright couture dresses and suits to reflect the class and sophistication of the Mendoza family and their guests and the vibrancy of Miami Beach. Grand Hotel, a reboot of the Spanish series, Gran Hotel, showcases a rich and ruthless world reminiscent of the 80’s classics Dynasty, The Colbys, Falcon Crest, and, of course, the original Hotel, set in the fictitious St. Gregory Hotel in San Francisco.

If Grand Hotel survives to play another season, its executive producer and guest star, Eva Longoria, has the experience to figure out why the show hasn’t resonated with more viewers, adjust the sails, and turn this ship to long-term success. She has persevered despite the cancellation of her other popular and groundbreaking shows, including Telenovela and Devious Maids. In Grand Hotel, she’s assembled a mix of veterans and young talent in a racially-diverse cast and placed powerful women at the center of the action. With a little retooling, that combination can only make for a more compelling and popular season two.

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