Sony’s reboot of the ’70s sitcom One Day at a Time may have developed a cult following, but it failed to bring in necessary viewership numbers, Netflix announced Thursday. The streaming service said that the series’ newly released third season would be its last on the platform.
Over several tweets, Netflix laid out a seemingly heartfelt apology at this “difficult decision” and thanked the show’s creator, Norman Lear, for helping reboot the series with a Cuban-American family. “And to anyone who felt seen or represented — possibly for the first time — by ODAAT, please don’t take this as an indication your story is not important,” Netflix’s statement reads. “The outpouring of love for this show is a firm reminder to us that we must continue finding ways to tell these stories.”
And to anyone who felt seen or represented — possibly for the first time — by ODAAT, please don’t take this as an indication your story is not important. The outpouring of love for this show is a firm reminder to us that we must continue finding ways to tell these stories.
— Netflix (@netflix) March 14, 2019
Sincere or not, Twitter users called bullshit.
https://twitter.com/TrendelAnderson/status/1106314665318117376
https://twitter.com/captainsantiag0/status/1106315231100366848
https://twitter.com/itsleah57/status/1106320123718238209
cancelaron one day at a time pic.twitter.com/1cdUSEkWSd
— sofi (@ssofiteso) March 14, 2019
Given One Day at a Time’s focus on a Latinx family and its inclusion of queer characters and themes, its cancellation seemed in direct contrast with an announcement Netflix made less than two weeks ago via YouTube about its new commitment to “making room” for increased diversity on its platform.
Additionally, many users blamed the lack of viewership on Netflix’s lackluster advertising for the show, especially compared to its campaigns for those with white leads like The Umbrella Academy. The service’s efforts were so minimal that last month, several One Day at a Time cast members took the job into their own hands and launched a social media campaign to drum up support.
Sense8 was too expensive.
— bea (@zwanheda) March 14, 2019
Gypsy didn’t convinced the critics.
Everything sucks wasn’t enough.
One day at a time didn’t have enough views.
YET PEOPLE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT THESE SHOWS DAILY. YOU JUST HATE MINORITIES AND IT SHOWS.#SAVEODAAT
netflix: “iT wAs sUcH a pAinFul dEcIsIoN tO cAncEl ThE sHoW”
— cath (@arianaszamo) March 14, 2019
also netflix: *doesn’t promote odaat to get enough viewers* #saveODAAT pic.twitter.com/SFKhsbnzVz
https://twitter.com/erosakaashi/status/1106313800922341377
If the show’s viewership underperformed, fans asked, how did #SaveODAAT become a trending hashtag in a matter of hours? A Change.org petition to renew One Day at a Time for a fourth season simultaneously racked up nearly 5,000 signatures in less than five hours.
Some fans hoped stirring up enough protest from fans could encourage another network to give it a new home, like how NBC came to the rescue of Brooklyn 99 after Fox’s cancelation. The show’s Melissa Fumero chimed in to underline One Day at a Time’s importance in Latinx culture.
Brooklyn 99 was renewed within a day… do the same for One Day At A Time. #ODAAT
— Norah Emad AlJunaidi (@Norah_SLP) March 14, 2019
I am heartbroken. The Latinx community NEEDS this show, and irregardless of that ITS A GREAT, FUNNY, & HEART FELT SHOW WITH FANTASTIC PERFORMACES! SOMEONE SAVE IT! And yeah, I meant the irregardless #SaveODAAT https://t.co/HWoNSBv4dD
— Melissa Fumero (@melissafumero) March 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/itsleah57/status/1106320123718238209
Fans also quickly pointed out that Netflix forked over $100 million to hold onto the rights of another sitcom, Friends. And the streaming service renewed its original drama 13 Reasons Why for additional seasons despite controversy about its graphic depiction of suicide.
Netflix will pay 100 million dollars for to keep friends, but cancels One Day At A Time #SaveODAAT
— Jay Curaçao (@JayCuracao) March 14, 2019
YOU @netflix KEEP FRIENDS AND IT AINT EVEN GOOD NO MORE BRING ONE DAY AT A TIME BACK #SaveODAAT
— ariana (@Luckytylerr) March 14, 2019
Sooooo, One Day at a Time, a show that tackles social issues in a poignant, respectful way, and was one of the ultimate MVPs for representation gets cancelled.
— Migdalia Melendez #BlackLivesMatter (@miggyspicy) March 14, 2019
and a show that’s been extremely problematic for the past couple of years, 13 Reasons Why, gets renewed 😒😒 pic.twitter.com/X1YsTXEIGX
Netflix did not immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s request for comment. Preempting the cancellation with a statement seems to imply the streaming service knew it might receive backlash. After all, most canceled shows just fade away quietly. Whether Netflix anticipated the fan reaction to be this vehemently massive, though, is anyone’s guess.
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