The TV world is buzzing with the upcoming launch of 9-1-1: Nashville, the latest spinoff in the popular 9-1-1 franchise. After the cancellation of 9-1-1: Lone Star, many fans are cautious about jumping into another new city-based series.
The pressure is high, and the show must prove it’s more than just another routine police procedural. Interestingly, an older show from 14 years ago, Memphis Beat, holds lessons that could decide 9-1-1: Nashville’s future.
Let’s look at how 9-1-1: Nashville can avoid the mistakes that got Jason Lee’s Memphis Beat canceled and truly stand out.
9-1-1: Nashville Could Be Different – Thanks to Country Music
The main hope for 9-1-1: Nashville lies in its connection to country music. With popular names like LeAnn Rimes and Kimberly Williams-Paisley on board, fans expect music to play a major role in the story. The lead character, played by Chris O’Donnell, has a unique background as a former rodeo star, adding another layer of southern culture to the show. Jessica Capshaw also joins the cast as his wife, creating potential for strong family drama.
But while country music is a part of the setting, only Hailey Kilgore’s character is confirmed to sing so far. There are rumours that LeAnn Rimes may have sung “Ring of Fire” in the trailer, but her character is only known as a firefighter’s mother. That leaves viewers wondering how deeply the series will dive into the Nashville music world.
Jason Lee’s Memphis Beat Tried Something Similar – And Failed
Back in 2010, Memphis Beat aired with a similar promise. Jason Lee played a cop who loved blues music and often performed after hours. Though it had decent ratings and some loyal fans, critics weren’t impressed. They felt the show talked a lot about Memphis culture but didn’t show enough of it in action. Worse, many scenes were filmed in New Orleans, making the setting feel less authentic.
Even Jason Lee’s singing performances didn’t feel real. His voice was dubbed with vocals that didn’t match his character at all, taking away from the charm. The rest of the cast followed predictable cop show roles, with very little originality.
In the end, Memphis Beat was canceled after just two seasons. The official reason? TNT chose not to renew it, wanting to focus on other kinds of programming.
9-1-1: Nashville Is Already Facing Similar Risks
Although 9-1-1: Nashville is a new start, it’s already facing challenges similar to those of Memphis Beat. First, the franchise hasn’t always made the most of its unique settings. For example, 9-1-1: Lone Star took place in Texas but rarely showed off Texan culture. By its final season, the storylines could have happened anywhere. There were few local touches besides a brief Texas Ranger plotline.
Also, salary disputes and budget problems led to Lone Star’s cancelation. With Nashville bringing in big names from music and TV, the same financial issues could return.
How 9-1-1: Nashville Can Do Things Differently
To avoid becoming just another formulaic police show, 9-1-1: Nashville needs to fully embrace its setting. Nashville isn’t just the home of country music—it’s a city with a rich mix of cultures and traditions. The show doesn’t need to be a full musical, but small touches like showing local events, rodeos, or music-themed locations could help.
The cast also offers a great chance to bring new perspectives. Nashville’s population is diverse, including a large Kurdish community and many immigrants. By showing these backgrounds in its characters, the show can explore country music and southern life through different lenses—something most TV shows don’t do.
