Mama Rita explores the enduring popularity of the family dinner scenes in Blue Bloods. These scenes, inspired by Norman Rockwell’s art, have become integral to the show over its 13 seasons, offering a glimpse into the Reagan family’s dynamics.

Despite the variety in meals, the Reagan family never includes fish on their dinner table. This choice, explained by prop master Jim Lillis, is due to the challenge of keeping fish fresh during extended filming without refrigeration. The cast also avoids broccoli and has other food preferences, such as Donnie Wahlberg’s distaste for the aftermath of consuming broccoli.

The real and catered on-set meals, distributed to the crew at the end of the day, ensure no fish dinners are taken home.