As it turns out, Netflix isn’t really all about the Washingtons.
The streaming giant has opted to cancel the multicamera comedy All About the Washingtons, starring Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons and his wife, Justine, after one season.
The series, which marked the couple’s first scripted offering following multiple reality shows over the years, launched Aug. 10 to poor reviews. The Hollywood Reporter chief TV critic Daniel Fienberg said in his review that the married couple’s “reality TV chemistry fails to convert to scripted.” The show has a 40 percent rating among critics on RottenTomatoes. Netflix, like other streamers, does not release viewership data.
The comedy had an interesting backstory. ABC landed the script, from ABC Studios and Amblin Television, in October 2016 with a sizable penalty attached after a multiple-network bidding war. The Disney-owned broadcaster then passed on picking up the project to pilot.
Amblin believed in the comedy, from creator Jeremy Bronson (Speechless), and asked ABC Studios to divert their individual penalties back into shooting a “guerrilla”-style pilot presentation, similar to what 20th Century Fox Television did with Cristela three years ago (which resulted in a series pickup). ABC Studios obliged, offering the extra money to help deliver a competitive budget. The pilot took over the Black-ish soundstage after the ABC hit wrapped for the season and filmed a multicamera/hybrid comedy.
ABC had the first-look window on the project in May and passed; it was then shopped to broadcast, cable and streaming platforms afterward. That’s when Netflix came in.
The series marks the latest cancellation for an ABC Studios-produced show at Netflix, which axed its first Marvel drama (Iron Fist) from the Disney-owned company last week.
All About the Washingtons joins a roster of one-and-done scripted shows at Netflix including The Get Down, Gypsy, Everything Sucks and Girlboss.