Home Economics: Did We Just Watch the Series Finale? (We Better Not Have)
Home Economics wrapped its regrettably abbreviated 13-episode third season on Wednesday with an earthquake-themed finale, and ABC has given zero indication whether it plans to bring the supremely underrated sitcom back for Season 4. (When asked, an ABC rep tells TVLine that there’s no news to share yet on a possible fourth season.) And since we loathe uncertainty almost as much as we do premature cancellations, we rang up series co-creators/co-showrunners Michael Colton and John Aboud to get a temperature check on the show’s future.
TVLINE | So… was this episode a season or a series finale?
MICHAEL COLTON | We hope it’s a season finale. We’re optimistic. We know the network is very happy with the show. And we have a very devoted fan base. We’re just waiting for the right people to weigh in. It’s a process. But we’re planning to come back. We have a lot more stories to tell. We’re hopeful.
JOHN ABOUD | We designed this episode to either be the midway point of a 22-episode season, a season finale or a series finale. We planned for every eventuality.
TVLINE | What was the explanation ABC gave you for only ordering 13 episodes this season vs. 22?
COLTON | It was basically a shelf space issue… They have a [set] number of hours in primetime and they have new shows like [Gina Rodriguez’s] Not Dead Yet coming on… But It was a bummer. We would’ve much rather done 22. We have a lot of stories we want to tell. But every indication we’ve gotten is that the network is behind the show.
TVLINE | Let’s talk about the season finale. Connor had a bit of an existential crisis in the wake of the earthquake. He’s running for mayor of San Francisco?! Will that stick in a potential Season 4?
COLTON | We have some fun ideas on how to play the mayor thing out if we get a Season 4. I think it’s something we can have fun with for a few episodes. It’s inspired by the idea that when people have a certain degree of wealth they think that maybe they should…
ABOUD | … run everything! [Laughs]
TVLINE | Regarding Denise and Sarah’s IVF journey, why didn’t you have Sarah become pregnant this season since her portrayer, Caitlin McGee, was already pregnant in real-life?
COLTON | That would’ve been the easy thing to do. It certainly would’ve saved us from having [to make] her hold pillows and put fruit baskets in front of her. Timing wise, there were other stories we wanted to tell first. Once a character has a baby that [becomes their main] story; it’s hard to get away from that. And there were a lot of other things we wanted to play before we got to that point. And because we have a lesbian couple and it’s a very specific type of journey to get pregnant — the characters are based on my sister and her wife — we wanted to make sure we have the room to tell that journey. And had we [accelerated the story to sync up with Caitlin’s pregnancy] we would’ve jumped ahead and started Season 3 with her already pregnant, and [subsequently] missed the chance to tell some of the stories we want to tell about IVF. In [a potential] Season 4, we would have the runway to tell the story the way we want to tell it.
TVLINE | Casey Wilson was a great addition this season as Harmony. Might she return on a more full-time basis in a possible Season 4?
COLTON | Anything is possible. It’s a little early to have any of those conversations. But she’s hilarious and she’s ABC sitcom royalty. She added a whole new energy. We definitely want to bring her back.
To be honest I was surprised it was picked up last year, but it’s ratings have picked up this season after Abbott. I’d guess it gets picked up for at least a mid-season replacement.
Great show with a great cast, I really hope it comes back! And it’s always a delight when Casey Wilson pops up in a show.
This is such a great show. It’s early marketing did it few favors because it seemed like it would be preachy about economic issues. Instead, it is truly witty and funny.
I was surprised to see it renewed and thank goodness for fast forward.I agree with what Johann wrote.
This show has gradually grown on me and has become one of my favorites. I surely hope it is renewed for a fourth season. Casey Wilson would be a great addition too. She needs to be seen more.
I’m tired of a number of these good shows getting such short seasons this year! Really stinks! I really like this show. I love Topher Grace in everything! Hope it gets renewed!!
I really think that ABC was trying to save both Big Sky & Home Economics from getting cancelled last year and that the shortened seasons were the only option. So I’m thankful for this. Home Economics was great this season & Big Sky too.
It would be sadly ironic if Home Economics suffers the same fate as Casey Wilson’s Happy Endings (both “HE” SHOWS) and NOT get 4th season! Like Happy Endings which I still watch obsessively wherever it streams, I have to rewind Home Economics to savor the amazing writing and facial expressions of the cast
This show is so lame. Watched 1 episode last year & couldn’t even finish it. Not funny, & what they think is funny is just criticizing someone.
you must be a delight at parties.
Oh, this is a party and not an opinion forum?
you must have trouble reading.
This show is such a fun workhorse – funny, smart, and just slightly goofy. Fingers crossed for another season.
I like this show. I was wondering if there have been any updates?
Great show and cast. I really hope this gem comes back next season.
When considering next years Wednesday line up I hope ABC takes into account just how painful The Goldbergs has gotten. This show and Abbot On the other hand are breaths of fresh air. Guess a lot may depend on how the Gina Rodriguez show does
Hopeful for a third season. Although, I might be the only one that thought Casey Wilson’s bit was the weakest part of the season. Best parts are all the siblings and partners together.
Agree! And I love when the parents visit.
really? I’ve watch the halloween episode with her like 8 times. it’s hilarious
hmmm no one has a view of that bridge from residence. on either side of that bridge are parks and open public areas.
It’s just a tv show bud. Lighten up.
I thought this was a solid SEASON finale, one of their finest episodes as everyone had something to do, even the kids. This season has been great overall, though much too short, and I did miss Caitlyn McGee. Am completely happy with the producers’ decision not to incorporate her pregnancy into the storyline though.
All in all, this show has grown so much and become so sure of what it is I’m hopeful for a fourth season.
How is Connor running for mayor of San Francisco not a jump-the-shark moment? Every show, even good shows, cross that Rubicon and fail to bring the audience along with them, and this will be that moment for HE. People who post in fan forums love everything their show does, but shows exist on audiences on the margins who don’t post in fan forums and require some semblance of plausibility in their shows. Bye-bye, HE—hardly knew ye …
you must be fun at parties
Yes. HE is definitely cancelled. And deservedly so. ABC shouldn’t have drug that corpse along this long.
You must be a boring individual.
The 13th episode is not on Hulu.
This is a great show with a great cast. I hope it gets renewed.
I hope the show is renewed, I didn’t even think it would be picked up for a season 2 and we’re already on 3, so I’m already glad. But, man, I can’t even begin to describe how much I hated every second of every episode with Casey Wilson. I have nothing against the actress, I just don’t like her character at all and it was just so random, forced and not funny at all… If we end up having a 4th season, I hope they just kill her off, LOL (obviously I know they won’t, but a girl can dream).
Such an underrated show. I hate that quieter (while still being funny, fun, interesting, and with heart) don’t get noticed as much as louder shows, even when they’re terrible (I literally cannot stand to watch The Goldbergs anymore).
Really hope it gets renewed.
This show, although not top shelf, deserves to be renewed. The characters are top notch, and they leave me wanting for them to succeed.
Season 3 has been especially strong. This is one of the few shows that I laugh out loud at. But this last episode was kinda weak. I hope it was not the last.
I like this show. I was wondering if there have been any updates?
One of the few network sitcoms I watch right now, so I hope it’s back. Though I can’t say the same for Casey Wilson, who I only tolerated even on “Happy Endings”
I hope they bring back Denise sister ….. I like her with Connor…. Overall I love the show….
she’s starring in a new series this fall.
Really enjoyed season 3! I hope they don’t bring back Harmony – they have a great cast as it is.