In a TV landscape where risk-averse networks often play it safe, The Neighborhood has quietly become one of CBS’s most resilient and heartfelt comedies. Now entering its eighth and final season, the show is giving fans more than just a farewell — it’s serving up a glimpse into a potential future that won’t come to pass, at least not yet. Monday’s Season 7 finale doesn’t just close out another chapter for the Butlers and the Paytons; it doubles as a backdoor pilot for an unpicked spinoff that CBS passed on, much to the disappointment of Cedric the Entertainer and the show's loyal audience.
How The Neighborhood’s Unused Spinoff Found Life In The Season Finale
The unscripted heartbreak behind The Neighborhood’s canceled spinoff is made all the more bittersweet by the fact that the creative team got to pitch it in the most old-school TV way possible — through an episode. Cedric the Entertainer, who not only stars in the series but also serves as an executive producer, revealed to TVLine that the network’s decision not to greenlight the spinoff was partially influenced by the current state of broadcast television. “They’re not doing a lot of pilots anymore,” Cedric explained. “They’re not spending a lot of money… we thought we did a great job, but ultimately there wasn’t enough room in the budget for what we had.”
The episode in question — airing as the second half of the hour-long Season 7 finale on May 5 — features Malcolm and Marty Butler (Sheaun McKinney and Marcel Spears) heading out on their own. The premise was simple but full of promise: two familiar characters stepping into adulthood in a new environment — Venice Beach — that’s as vibrant as it is different from their old neighborhood. With guest stars like Justin Long and Angelique Cabral adding flavor to the mix, the episode was designed to serve double duty as both a series installment and a pilot for what CBS hoped might be a new youth-centered comedy.
Why The Spinoff Didn’t Make The Cut, And Why Fans Should Still Rally For It
According to Cedric, the decision not to move forward wasn’t due to a lack of quality or vision. It was a numbers game in a broadcast ecosystem that’s rapidly shifting toward streaming and cost-cutting. Still, that doesn’t mean he’s ready to give up on the idea. In fact, he’s urging fans to make their voices heard. “I want everybody to write in [to CBS], because I think people are going to see this season finale and be, like, ‘That’s a great show! Y’all should do that show!’”
There’s something deeply meta and almost comic-book-esque about pitching a spinoff through a backdoor pilot — and then asking fans to champion it the same way they might rally to save a beloved superhero property. It speaks to the passion behind The Neighborhood and its creators, who have managed to strike a balance between humor and heart throughout the show's run. The proposed spinoff wasn’t just about extending the brand; it was about giving Malcolm and Marty their own stories, free from parental shadows, in a setting that promised new cultural and comedic dynamics.
Crutch Will Fill The Spinoff Void With Tracy Morgan Leading The Charge
While the Malcolm and Marty spinoff won’t be happening, Cedric teases that another The Neighborhood-adjacent project is on the horizon — and it sounds like a wild ride. Crutch, a new multi-cam comedy headed to Paramount+, stars Tracy Morgan in a brand-new role (not as Calvin Butler’s brother Curtis, but as his cousin Crutch). The series follows Crutch, a widower in Harlem, whose plans for an empty nest are upended when his adult children move back home.
“We shot eight episodes,” Cedric said. “We put together a really great cast, and it was fun to do some guest appearances.” Fans of the original show will be happy to know that Cedric and Tichina Arnold will reprise their roles as Calvin and Tina in Crutch, along with a guest spot from Max Greenfield as Dave. It’s a clever way to keep the The Neighborhood universe alive, even as the main show winds down.
What The Cancellation Of The Spinoff Means For Broadcast TV And Fan Engagement
The fate of The Neighborhood spinoff underscores a larger truth about network television in 2025: even proven properties and passionate creators are often at the mercy of shifting priorities and budget constraints. CBS is doubling down on procedural franchises like FBI and S.W.A.T. (even as it cancels some of their offshoots), while experimenting with new pilots and streaming tie-ins. In this environment, a comedy about two young Black men navigating adulthood in Venice Beach may not fit into the network's immediate plans — but that doesn't mean it lacks potential or audience appeal.
What's encouraging is that shows like The Neighborhood are still finding ways to innovate within their formats. Using a season finale as a springboard for a spinoff pitch is a move straight out of a fan-creator playbook. It's a reminder that storytelling on TV isn't just about what's greenlit — it's about connecting with viewers and giving them something to believe in. Cedric's call to action isn't just about one show; it's about reclaiming space for stories that resonate.
Finale Airs Monday, May 5 — And It’s More Than Just A Send-Off
Whether you’ve followed The Neighborhood from the beginning or tuned in sporadically, Monday’s Season 7 finale promises to be a must-watch event. Not just for the laughs and the love, but for the what-ifs embedded in its second half. The episode that was meant to launch a new series will now stand as a testament to what the show has always been — a neighborhood of characters, stories, and souls striving for connection, growth, and a little bit of fun along the way.
So tune in. Write to CBS. And remember: sometimes the best spinoffs aren’t canceled — they’re just waiting for their neighborhood to discover them.