When the WB and UPN decided to merge into the CW, it must have occured to all of the actors and actresses of Girlfriends that they may not be back. Jill Marie Jones, who played Toni Childs, decided to leave regardless of which way the axe fell.
Of course the season finale of the show last week was probably a telling sign—in a moment of craziness, Joan (played by Ross) drank herself to death at a party and ended up missing a custody battle between Toni and her estranged husband Todd (Jason Pace). Although Toni won custody of her child Morgan, Joan felt that she had let down Toni and lost a friend forever. It was mentioned by one of the characters that all of their friendships had been growning apart—having seen the show over the years, this did come with a bit of truth.
For further confirmation, one needed to do no more than to look at the network's web pressence for the show.
Three out of the four girls (Persia White, Golden Brooks and Tracee-Ellis Ross) have their pictures up on the CW website and are mentioned as a threesome in the related show info.
Hopefully there will be further developments as to whether she will return to the series for guest appearances. But judging by the episode and the lack of Marie Jones' picture on the site, it seemed highly doubtful that would happen anytime soon.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - tigermichal
CW is one of the worst ideas they could have ever came up with. They are canceling our best black shows like Half and Half, EVE, cuts etc. And now NO TONI. Her charachter had the most drama. I wanted to see her raise her child and everything. They should have just kept everything the same.
2 - KC
Girlfriends is the one show one could count on to provide a honest look at relationships between black women. Please don't mess with this show especially Toni. Her unique craziness was a real show stopper and for most of us "home". Her family provided a look into what's driving us and making us the black women we are. We deserve the best that you have to offer in this show as we have been faithful for the last 6 years.
I am also upset about losing my other Monday night shows. How dare you take away the one night we could relax, see ourselves in different lights and laugh about it?
3 - bad boy
Good lord! Toni Childs was one of the biggest reasons why I even watched Girlfriends. It may still be a good show, but I still think that the CW Network needs to do whatever it takes to keep her there. Her big breasts really light up my life. Wow!
4 - Daddy
You take the #1 reason I watch the show Girlfriends away and you pratically ruin it for all guys in the world. You would just look at Jill Marie Jones and dream of fucking that tight wet pussy and sucking those big ass tits. No other girl comes close with the exception of Joans ass, Lynn's sexuality, and Mya's pussy. Her body will definately be missed. Get her back for me please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 - Girlfriends biggest fan Kris
Noooooooo please get Toni Childs (Jill Marie Jones) back on GIRLFRIENDS. She represented so much for the black woman. her honesty added so much to the show. Without her Girlfriends will not be the same
6 - Get Toni Back ASAP{
aw naw hell naw. how can Toni not be apart of Girlfriends. Each character represents the average woman in America, from Joan's humor(and past dependability), Lynn's open sexuality, Maya's Realness, and Toni's Honesty. i was actually proud to see a show that really meant every aspect of todays woman. now with Toni gone Girlfriends is missing a very big piece that will be very apparent. In my opinion Toni should be back on the show ASAP or alot of viewers will pull away from the show as well
7 - AD
The show will never be the same without TONI CHILDS..............OHHHHHHH GET HER BACK NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 - Mikey
Jill played a very strong character. The show ill suck now
9 - Mad as HELL!
What the hell is wrong with you people?!?! Don't you understand that the whole reason why most of "us" were supporting this show because it stood for friendship!??! Unless the friendship has grown apart and they all decide to break up I don't want to see one leave and the show continue! The only way I'd want to see that if Toni moved away and kept in contact by phone and made occasion appearances on the show! The breaking apart thing that's not what friendship is. I thought this show was a real show that delved into the life of the everday girlfriends, it reminded me much of a group of friends I once had and our personalities. Then to see you kicking off all the other black shows and switching nights like that! That's not cool. Black people get one day a week for a little line up then you want to refuse to watch channel 20 refer to it as the "black station" and kick our comedies to the curb....you sorry son of a B#%#&^Y$&U#&^#^$ how could you do this @$@%#@^$#^#^#!
10 - datboy
i usually dont post stuff, but i agree wit any other dude on here. toni sexy ass was one of the main reasons i watched the show, just to see her body and hear what she got to say. maya cant hold the show down by herself, but i'm sure she'll try, but damn, why did toni have to go, why couldn't it be joan or lynn, toni is too damn fine, sexy, smart, quick witted, and everything to go. damn dem boys at the new network fuckin up big time. i'm gone still watch girlfriends, but it probably won't be the same.
11 - michelle
this is some crap. i say we boycott girlfriends. had it been maya or lynn or even joan, i would not care but not toni!
12 - kay
without toni, it wont be the same, i watch it because i want to see her self indulgence and he dont care attitude. i love her character, i love them all but i wont watch it without her.
13 - dirtysouthvixxen
I Can't believe this!!!!!!TONI was the only reason I watched that show. I loved her character and she was the most beautiful one on there but with her gone it's just gone be some bitter unfunny women with nothing to talk about.UPN is gona lose alot of viewers and with her gone(jill marie jones)the show won't be on for much longer and you can believe that!!!!!!!!!!!!
14 - UPSETGIRLFRIENS
TONI IS THE SH** AND JOAN BUG EYED A** OR WILLIAM GAY A** LYNN IS A FREAK MAYA IS GHETTO BUT THEIR IS NO BODY LIKE TONI SHE KEEPS IT INTERESTING DAMN
15 - MAD AS HELL2!
I would just like to start of by saying that this merge of networks is a load of crap! It makes no sense to me that the network execs would actually believe this was a good idea for its viewers. I have been a loyal viewer for years. I have grown used to watching my Mon, Wed, and Thurs nite UPN. I have been devoted to watching all of my shows on there. I am outraged that this is happening!
After all of my dedication-I have the shows record when I'm not home and I stay up all nite to make sure I watch them. I don't watch American Idol or any other of those shows that make huge ratings through the week because my eyes were glued to my UPN shows, esp. Eve, One On One, and Girlfriends. And to hear that my week is ruined because of this mess is ridiculous. And Toni is my favorite of all time on Girlfriends. This is one big old mess! How dare UPN let her go! And to add insult to injury, All of Us has the nerve to be picked back up? I could just puke all over the place. I can't believe THAT show has another chance over the other successful shows that were broadcast on UPN. It makes me sick to think that UPN would sell out the shows that made it and all it stood for for some damn money by merging with a network that wants to kick a weeks worth of shows into 1 damn night, a night in which I will mention, I WILL NOT WATCH! I will NOT be degraded to one night with the sorry line up thats ahead. This new sorry network has lost a viewer and I'm sorry to say hopefully a lot more to take a stand against this mess.
16 - Thelovelyone
I am so upset about the merger of the WB and UPN. There will be nothing left on TV. Now that Toni is leaving Girlfriends, I really don't know if I will be as dedicated to watch the show like I was before. The fall season for ALL networks suck, there is nothing that has an African American cast of charaters. =(
17 - KayKay
This is NOT fierce !!! I just found out about this, and i'm not happy. What are they thinking over there in "Girlfriend"'s land ? The show will not be the same without Toni Childs. She's the Sista we love to hate...and we were really beginning to like her, too. Her character was also the most complex of all of the other characters. Well...i'm very disappointed. I too think they could've gotten rid of William or Lynn. Neither of them were half as interesting as Toni. There is a story on Media Take Out that has me very disturbed, and if it turns out to be true, i will support a boycott of the show. This is my first time here (i found you all by doing a search on Jill Marie Jones), so i hope i'm not breaking any rules here, but here's where you can find the mediatakeout.com article that tells the alleged REAL reason why Jill left the show:
18 - bri smith
Please do not let Toni Childs leave this show. If you do, guess what, shows over. My suggestion would be to give Persia White the boot. Her character is lame and boring.
19 - Jennifer
The show is nothing w/o Jill Marie Jones. They better offer her a diamond encrusted pony rocket - because without Jill, it's OVER.
20 - Bobby
The show won't be the same without all four of the girls. I believe that each of them have a very significant role & I also believe that this whole CW thing that is going on is a bad idea. Some of my favorite shows were dropped and now with hearing that there will be a missing cast member from "Girlfriends", I'm convinced that it will not work out. I hope they get it together before September!
21 - Tanita
Girlfriends is my favorite show. I am a black 22 year old young adult and when the show came on every Monday night it gave me something to look forward to. I would drop everything when the show came on and watched every re-run. Now, I do think the show will not be the same. I love all of the women and without Tony it just seems like something or someone will be missing. Tony please come back...think about your fans because I am a fan of all of you all.
22 - Eddie Pasion
Jill Marie Jones is much too sexy.She shall stay sexy wearing Diapers(Pampers).
23 - Eddie Pasion
Jill Marie Jones is much too sexy.She shall stay sexy wearing diapers(Cushion Quilted Pampers).
She is sexy as Barbie with diapers on.
24 - aaaaaaaaaaaa
i'm gonna miss toni, her drama like how she could never remenber maya's childs name. but maybe it could open up some new things like they get a new girlfriend that brings in some new drama and they have to make an all new connection
25 - donald meyers
please no Toni = no don watching girlfriends anymore. i only watched gf because toni childs