Norman Lear’s final show, Boots, has been removed from Netflix.

Norman Lear’s “Boots” was canceled despite positive reviews and viewership numbers.

boots canceled

Netflix has canceled the military comedy-drama “Boots,” which was the final show from famous producer Norman Lear.

This news is surprising because the show was well-liked and widely watched.

Why the Cancellation is Strange

“Boots” actually did very well. It earned a high rating of 90% from both critics and regular viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

It also had strong viewership, garnering approximately 9.4 million views in its first week and remaining in Netflix’s Top 10 list for four weeks.

The boots even became more popular after the Pentagon publicly criticized them. Usually, Netflix cancels shows that don’t get good ratings or enough viewers, so “Boots” was not a typical failure.

Norman Lear’s Last Project

They had a difficult time getting made. It was approved in May 2023 when Norman Lear was still alive, but filming stopped almost immediately due to the Hollywood strikes.

After filming restarted in March 2024, the show was held for a year before release. Tragically, Norman Lear passed away in December 2023 and never saw his final show air.

What “Boots” Was About

“Boots” told the story of two best friends, Cameron Cope (who was secretly gay) and Ray McAffey (who was straight), as they went through Marine Corps boot camp in 1990.

At that time, it was illegal to be openly gay in the military. The show featured a diverse cast and dealt with important ideas like identity, friendship, and growing up in a tough military setting.

The production company, Sony TV, wanted the show to continue, but Netflix’s rules mean “Boots” most likely cannot be picked up by another network.