CBS Must Heart 'Bob Hearts Abishola' Because It's Coming Back!
Updated Jan. 25 2022, 5:54 p.m. ET
Billy Gardell as Bob and Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola
The CBS series Bob Hearts Abishola follows a modern love story. Bob (Billy Gardell) is a businessman from Detroit who ends up in the hospital after a heart attack. There, he meets cardiac nurse Abishola (Folake Olowofoyeku), an immigrant from Nigeria. Although he develops a crush on her from when they first meet, she's not interested. Despite their differences, true love prevails. Speaking of prevailing, are we getting another season? Is Bob Hearts Abishola canceled?
Has 'Bob Hearts Abishola' been canceled?
The third season premiered toward the end of 2021, and we're happy to report that Bob Hearts Abishola is coming back for a fourth season! We are super pumped about spending more time with this couple and continuing this show that has embraced complicated issues — like in Episode 11 of Season 3, when Chukwuemeka (Tony Tambi) accidentally reveals to Bob he's gay and has to deal with the fallout from his church. It's a tough episode about not turning your back on the people you love.
Tony Tambi as Chukwuemeka and Billy Gardell as Bob
CBS is also bringing back The Neighborhood, Ghosts, and, of course, Young Sheldon, which was already renewed for three more years. Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment, said in a statement (via Variety), "...on Mondays, the perfect pairing of The Neighborhood and Bob Hearts Abishola continues to deftly blend belly laughs with relatable and culturally relevant storylines, thanks to these exceptionally talented actors and outstanding creative teams.
'Bob Hearts Abishola' is a new take on a classic story.
Romantic comedies where one person has unrequited feelings for someone they meet isn't a new topic. There have been plenty of movies and shows around this story before. You could call it a tale as old as time, which is a clear reference to the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast, a film from 1991 with a similar storyline without the comedy.
But honestly, any Adam Sandler movie could fit into this category.
Billy Gardell as Bob and Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola
However, Bob Hearts Abishola is a love story for the modern age. The story is based on the relationship between the two main characters, but it also shows the life of an immigrant in America today. Abishola is proud to be Nigerian, and she isn't looking to fit into some American stereotype in order to be accepted in this country.
At the same time, she's not an African stereotype. Abishola is not a Black woman having grown up in the U.S. with our culture and understanding of things. Her culture is a part of who she is and it didn't suddenly vanish when she moved overseas. There will be things about American life she doesn't understand, and that's OK and not made to be the butt of some tired joke because of it.
What's refreshing about Bob Hearts Abishola is that Bob isn't portrayed as the "nice guy" who gets upset with Abishola for not giving him a chance or agreeing to go out with him. Instead, he goes out of his way to be kind and learn more about her. For example, he learns some of her native tongue in hopes it will impress her.
Spoiler alert: Bob and Abishola eventually got married, which ushered in a new dynamic and potential problems. With Season 4 on the horizon, it could give a deeper understanding of what it means to be in an interracial, multicultural relationship today, and that's something audiences should see.
Season 3 of Bob Hearts Abishola is currently airing on CBS, Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET.