Comedy series should solve huge Netflix problem – instead it will be canceled after season 1

What is Netflix’s Friends, The Office or How I Met Your Mother? Although the streaming service has invested millions in its own series for years, it has no answer to this question. None of the Comedy original productions was able to follow the great role models. That’s why Space Force was canceled by The Office creator Greg Daniels in May and now it’s time for the next attempt.

Blockbuster was supposed to be a hit sitcom, but Netflix canceled the series

While Space Force made it to two seasons, Blockbuster ended after one season. The series was canceled, as Variety reports. At the time of the announcement, everything looked like a success.

Blockbuster is based on a true story, at least in part. The series takes place in the last branch of the defunct video store chain “Blockbuster” and the story is about how the employees ensure the survival of their VHS oasis. The setting is initially reminiscent of Superstore, one of the more successful workplace comedies of recent years. Two veteran sitcom stars star Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat) and Melissa Fumero (Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Series creator Vanessa Ramos is also well versed in the genre, having worked on the writing staff at Superstore and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

None of that helped. The reviews were mostly poor and Blockbuster didn’t make the Netflix top 10 in the US after launch.

This is a setback that should not be underestimated. Netflix needs its own comedy seriessince the traditional hits of other broadcasters only end up in the catalog for high license fees – if at all.

Why are the Netflix comedy series failing?

It is difficult to say what caused the repeated failure, but one thing stands out: both Space Force and Blockbuster adapt topics that have been in the for a few weeks Social media trending columns managed. On the one hand there was the founding of the United States Space Force by then US President Donald Trump, on the other hand there was the meme of the last blockbuster shop. However, the series appeared on Netflix long after the conversation had died down.

Netflix’s Workplace Comedies seem outdated and over-engineered. They jump on short-lived hypes that have little in common with their audience’s everyday life. The most popular workplace comedies of recent years take place in low-key settings, including a supermarket (Superstore), a police station (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), the green space department (Parks & Recreation) and an elementary school (Abbott Elementary).

So that could be a reason. Another: The shows weren’t funny enough. In any case, Netflix’s comedy problem remains unsolved.

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