CBS Canceling The Neighborhood Spinoff Paves The Way For Marty & Courtney Finally Getting Together

By Cathal Gunning

Published 5 days ago

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Custom image by Milica Djordjevic

Although it is a shame that The Neighborhood season 8 will be the CBS sitcom’s final outing, but this wasn’t always planned. Originally, Malcolm’s move to Venice Beach was set to spawn a spinoff series that introduced a slew of new characters to the world of the series.

Malcolm’s move was chronicled in season 7, episode 20, “Welcome to Venice,” an outing which highlighted just how much has changed since The Neighborhood season 5. In this episode, Malcolm spent his book advance on a fixer-upper in Venice Beach and, upon moving in, met his pushy tech bro neighbor Bruce. Played by Justin Long, this high-strung millionaire wanted to buy Malcolm’s new house so he could tear it down and turn it into an extension of his mansion.

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Marty and Malcolm with the cast of the backdoor pilot for their Neighborhood spinoff series all looking surprised

Meanwhile, Malcolm also met with his no-nonsense literary agent, a glamorous aspiring influencer named Matisse, and her earnest activist friend Bellamy. Matisse and Bellamy were vehemently opposed to Bruce’s attempts to gentrify Venice Beach, and Malcolm’s house was trapped squarely between these feuding neighbors. As such, The Neighborhood season 7’s ending changed the show’s entire premise as the sitcom now focused on an entirely new neighborhood.

Early in the episode, Marty once again asks his colleague and love interest Courtney if she wants to be exclusive, and she carefully turns him down without ending their situationship.

However, this wasn’t the only story that changed in “Welcome to Venice.” Early in the episode, Marty once again asks his colleague and love interest Courtney if she wants to be exclusive, and she carefully turns him down without ending their situationship. However, when Bellamy then expressed a romantic interest in Marty, Courtney changed her tune and planted a kiss on Marty in front of everyone to mark her territory. Bellamy’s arrival ensured Courtney and Marty’s romance wouldn’t be dragged out for another season, and the cancellation of Marty and Malcolm’s spinoff made sure of this.

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In “Welcome to Venice,” Courtney continues her unclear, ill-defined relationship with Marty until Bellamy flirts with Marty, whereupon she suddenly decides they are a real couple. Since The Neighborhood is ending with season 8, the show can now use this as a justification to make Marty and Courtney a couple for good. The CBS sitcom has repeatedly hinted at this throughout season 7, ever since the two had a child together after a one-night stand.

Actor	The Neighborhood Role
Cedric the Entertainer	Calvin Butler
Max Greenfield	Dave Johnson
Tichina Arnold	Tina Butler
Beth Behrs	Gemma Johnson
Hank Greenspan	Grover Johnson
Marcel Spears	Marty Butler
Sheaun McKinney	Malcolm Butler
Skye Townsend	Courtney

If The Neighborhood’s spinoff had been greenlit, its unknowable duration would have meant that the new show needed to continue Marty and Courtney’s “Will they, won’t they” romance for who knows how long. In contrast, The Neighborhood ending with season 8 means that the CBS sitcom’s story is reaching a natural conclusion. With Calvin and Dave at peace, and even firm friends, and Malcolm now moved out of the family home, Courtney and Marty’s unclear dynamic is one of the show’s only unresolved plots.

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Sheaun McKinney's Malcolm and Max Greenfield's Dave stand in a living room smiling from The Neighborhood

While it is somewhat surprising that The Neighborhood is getting a spinoff starring Tracy Morgan, the cancellation of the planned Marty and Malcolm series could prove to be the right move. As outlined above, Malcolm, Dave, Tina, Gemma, and Calvin are already in good places, meaning the show could end now, and their happy endings would be secured. ittedly, Malcolm needs to make peace with his neighbors and get used to the new neighborhood, but this can happen throughout season 8.

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Marty and Courtney’s romance is the only major lingering storyline The Neighborhood hasn’t finished, and it is clear that the couple is destined to end up together. As such, CBS canceling the sitcom’s spinoff ironically means the pair might actually get a better, more succinct ending to their shared story in The Neighborhood season 8.

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