Netflix has been experimenting (rather aggressively) with talk shows for a while in an effort to diversify its titles, but results have been hit or miss thus far. It’s hard to get attached to a particular program only to see it canceled after a few months and one season: case in point, The Break With Michelle Wolf and The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale, which were released in May and in February, respectively. While Netflix doesn’t reveal viewership numbers for its offerings, The Hollywood Reporter says the two comedy shows failed to gather enough views to warrant a second season.
Both were promising new entries to the platform’s roster: Wolf, in particular, was the talk of the town after delivering a scathing routine at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner that targeted members of the Trump administration, including people in the room. McHale, on the other hand, promised a show that could make fun of anyone and everyone.
While these cancellations suggest that Netflix still hasn’t found the format that works best for the platform — it also recently canceled Chelsea — it’s still in the talk show business. It released the second season (on the service, that is) of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee in July. There’s also David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, which landed former President Obama as its first guest and enjoys positive reception.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
