Comedy Central cancels Detroiters after two seasons

By Randall Colburn  |  December 11, 2018 | 7:25pm
Aux Features Detroiters

Detroiters star and co-creator Sam Richardson has announced via Twitter that Comedy Central’s much-loved, little-watched Detroiters will not be returning for a third season.

“Sadly, @Detroiters won’t be picked up for a season 3 at Comedy Central,” he wrote this afternoon. “I want to thank everyone who watched and supported the show. It was a dream to make and I’m proud that those who did see it enjoyed it.”

He leaves open the possibility, however, that the show could “find a home elsewhere.” That was echoed by Detroiters writer Amber Ruffin, who shared Richardson’s tweet and added, “Best show ever, up for grabs!”

Created in part by Richardson and Tim Robinson, both of whom grew up in the Detroit area in the ‘90s, the series found inspiration in the bizarro TV spots for local businesses that they grew up watching. The pair’s efforts to prop up the city’s fallen star with their busted advertising agency resulted in much hilarity.

Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels served as an executive producer on the series, which also saw former Saturday Night Live writers Zach Kanin and Joe Kelly credited as co-creators. Cameos from Cecily Strong, Michael Che, and Jason Sudeikis gave the show some star power, while Detroit luminaries like broadcaster Mort Crim and University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh lent authenticity.

As the Detroit Free Press reports, however, the show just couldn’t overcome its low ratings. According to Comedy Central, the viewership dropped from a 500,000 average to one of 354,000 between its first and second seasons. Still, the critical praise it garnered, coupled with the outcry over its cancellation that’s already spreading through Twitter, could most certainly interest other platforms.

Comedy Central, meanwhile, is moving forward with half-hour scripted projects from Awkwafina and Rory Scovel.

 
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