One Day at a Time is Netflix's latest casualty and fans of the program aren't particularly happy with the streaming service's reason for cancelling a program lauded for its storylines, its humor and its commitment to hiring a cast of diverse talents and backgrounds.
Netflix doesn't typically comment on cancellations, but Ted Sarandos, the company's chief content officer, broke tradition in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
He said:
"It's been a great honor to work with the legendary Norman Lear."
"I've personally spoken with Norman and co-creators Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce to express my gratitude to them, all the writers, the dedicated crew and the cast, including the brilliant Justina Machado and dazzling Rita Moreno, for creating a series with such humor, heart and humanity."
Netflix's official Twitter account repurposed part of Sarandos's statement and added a few things. The company said in part:
"The outpouring of love for this show is a firm reminder to us that we must continue finding ways to tell these stories."
We’ve made the very difficult decision not to renew One Day At A Time for a fourth season. The choice did not come… https://t.co/ko7pUlDP93— Netflix US (@Netflix US) 1552584609.0
Thank you Norman Lear for bringing this series back to television. Thank you Gloria Calderon Kellett & Mike Royce f… https://t.co/rXDsqhzf9k— Netflix US (@Netflix US) 1552584647.0
To Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Rita Moreno: thank you for… https://t.co/zsMlvC9ALn— Netflix US (@Netflix US) 1552584687.0
And to anyone who felt seen or represented — possibly for the first time — by ODAAT, please don’t take this as an i… https://t.co/hyJmu1B3bn— Netflix US (@Netflix US) 1552584734.0
But that explanation isn't sitting well with people.
They provided 13 Reasons Why Netflix is kinda full of it.
13 Reasons Why: problematic, very graphic rape and suicide scenes. Mainly white cast - renewed Insatiable: fat sha… https://t.co/0r8oOWahX4— Lz Prm Chs (@Lz Prm Chs) 1552589421.0
How unceremonious.
lol this is such a bonkers thing to tweet!!!! “your story is important but not to us, bye" https://t.co/80OuwfCnt5— pilot! (@pilot!) 1552585352.0
We see you, Netflix.
This is transparently absurd. They have a perfectly good way to "tell this story": renew the show. The entire story… https://t.co/tu10ZeRw4h— Linda Holmes (@Linda Holmes) 1552585777.0
I'll be there for youuuuu... or not.
netflix cancelled one day at a time but were willing to pay $100 million to keeps friends. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE— 𝔂𝓪𝓱𝓪𝓲𝓻𝓪 (@𝔂𝓪𝓱𝓪𝓲𝓻𝓪) 1552585219.0
netflix paid $100 million to stream Friends for one year. https://t.co/KFoO8CnKET— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Gavia Baker-Whitelaw) 1552585555.0
That settles it.
Netflix's social strategy is "it's me, your friend, Netflix," so let me fix this tweet - "look, we had to pay Son… https://t.co/yZI8rY8SK1— Kathryn VanArendonk (@Kathryn VanArendonk) 1552585810.0
Executive producers Royce and Calderon Kellett addressed the cancellation in a statement of their own:
"Last night, Netflix told us they are cancelling One Day at a Time. We had the time of our lives making this show. We worked with the best, most giving and talented cast, writers and crew ever, as well as the incomparable Norman Lear."
"So while our hearts are very heavy, they are also bursting with appreciation for this amazing experience. And for all of you. All of you who told us how much One Day at a Time means to you."
"We've worked on many shows, but never have we experienced the outpouring of love, connection and support like we have with ODAAT. Along with our studio, Sony, we will be exploring other places One Day at a Time can live, and with any luck we'll find one."
"Either way our three seasons will always exist and be there for you and for us. In the meantime, we want to thank everybody who watched. We love you. Familia Para Siempre."
One side appears to be keeping it real, at least.
In happier news, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is a big fan of the program and is trying to save it.
He's been tweeting to television networks, asking them to pick up the show and give it a home somewhere else.
Hey @nbc...I hear you like comedies with built-in fan bases that do even better on YOUR network than at their previ… https://t.co/DQJJoHgoMd— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin-Manuel Miranda) 1552587613.0
A sliver of hope?
Perhaps!
We'll see if this push works!