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It's a wrap for "Detroiters" as Comedy Central nixes a third season of the series taped here.
The plug-pulling isn't an abrupt shock. Though this year's episodes were generally well-reviewed, ratings slipped.
Co-star Sam Richardson tweets news that he and Tim Robinson, his on-screen partner and real life pal, get the hook:
Sadly, @Detroiters won’t be picked up for a season 3 at Comedy Central. 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. Maybe it will find a home elsewhere, who knows? But truly, thank you.
— Sam Richardson (@SamRichardson) December 11, 2018
In a follow-up, the actor describes his mood as one of "desiderium: a feeling of loss or grief for something lost."
A Detroit fan, Brian Ambrozy, comments on Richardson's thread:
"Thank you so much for bringing the REAL Detroit to television and to much of America.
"You guys did our city right, and you showed everybody what a goofy, fun-loving town we really are. By defying all the stereotypes about our city, you vaulted us forward and we thank you for it."
Seth Meyers shout
A better-known admirer, "Late Night" host Seth Meyers, tweets:
No show made me laugh harder. If there is any good news it's that this show is timeless and people will discover it and love it for years to come.
And at Variety, a legendary Los Angeles publication, Megh Wright laments the loss of a "wonderfully silly and criminally underrated Comedy Central series. . . . RIP, 'Detroiters,' you were too good for this world."
► Related post: 7 Funny Tweets About Comedy Central's Not-Funny Dumping of 'Detroiters'
Last year, the cable channel announced a renewal six weeks into the debut season -- before the last four episodes were shown. This time, there has been ominous silence since the closing credits Aug. 16.
Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson
(Comedy Central photos)
Season two drew an average of 268,000 real-time viewers for each of the 10 half-hour episodes about Detroit ad agency buddies who do and say wacky stuff on and off the job. That's down 27 percent from a weekly average of 366,000 in 2017.
Viewership for last summer's finale is measured at 239,000, 14 percent lower than for the closing episode a year earlier.
Originally, "Detroiters" was shown in late winter and early spring (Feb. 7 to April 11). It returned in three less advantageous months: June 21 to Aug. 16 -- when vacations, family visits, outdoor ballgames and other warm weather activities compete with TV. And because Nielsen ratings don't measure delayed viewing via streaming or TiVo, those fans are uncounted.
Recurring locations included a street in Woodbridge, Temple Bar in the Cass Corridor and Belle Isle. Retired WDIV anchor Mort Crim appeared as himself in several episodes.
'I'm bummed,' Detroit actor tweets
Another regular guest star, Anton Bassey of Detroit, tweets:
"Detroiters" was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my career. Hilarious, effortless and in my own backyard. I’m bummed.
Just last month, Vulture correspondent Erik Abriss described why the show was a "breath of rare comedic air:"
It has warmth and affection. Its (very good) politics are subtle. Its comedy is broad and silly and brightly polished in primary colors. The heart of 'Detroiters' beats loudly with positivity and kindness. . . .
It avoids being mean-spirited at someone else’s expense. Even if the client is a 'husky boy' clothing store or a bad wig shop or Rick Mahorn, 'Detroiters' avoids the easy joke.
From the 2018 season.
Comedian and writer Emily Heller tells Abriss why it was her "favorite show on television:"
The show is so kind to its characters without sacrificing the comedy of it. It's not cheesy and it's not self-righteous and it's not overly woke. But it's also not cruel. I think that’s a really tough balance. . . .
This show is one of those examples of, like, you don’t have to be offensive or racist or fucked up in order to make a show that’s funny. . . . It manages to pull off a lot of really impressive comedy feats without sacrificing its tone or heart in any way.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Vulture writer replies to Richardson's tweet with a broken heart emoji and this: "The most delightful comedy of the last two years. Too pure for this world!"
See for yourself in this five-minute clip from last June:
