Madeleine Hull
Santa Clarita Diet was an American horror-comedy series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The show starred Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as married real estate agents, Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a turn when Sheila starts craving human flesh after becoming a zombie. The show received positive reviews from critics and fans, but was cancelled after three seasons. The cancellation was attributed to Netflix's cost-plus budget model, which takes into account audience turnout and critical acclaim. Despite the show's success and loyal fanbase, Netflix made the decision to cut the show, leaving fans disappointed and wanting more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancellation Date | April 26, 2019 |
| Cancellation Reason | Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model |
| Number of Seasons | 3 |
| Number of Episodes in the Last Season | 10 |
| Show Creator | Victor Fresco |
| Star Cast | Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Liv Hewson, Skyler Gisondo |
| Fan Reaction | Anger, disappointment |
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What You'll Learn
Netflix's cost-plus budget model
Santa Clarita Diet, the hit zombie-comedy series starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, was cancelled by Netflix in 2019 after three seasons. The show received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, but Netflix's decision to cancel it was attributed to its "cost-plus" budget model.
Netflix's "cost-plus" model has been described as a "huge revenue upside" for the company. The model involves Netflix paying for a show's production costs upfront and throwing in an additional fee on top to own the original series. This is a different strategy from traditional TV networks, which typically pay a lower fee to license shows from production companies. Netflix's model makes it difficult for TV networks to compete and offers more money upfront than traditional networks.
The "cost-plus" model works as follows: Netflix pays the production costs plus a premium of 30% or more of the complete overall costs. This means that Netflix owns the show and seizes more of the upside on big hits, with creators signing away most of their future revenue opportunities. With each new season, the budget increases, and talent can see their pay increase from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
Netflix's "cost-plus" model has been criticised for the company's willingness to cancel shows that are not runaway successes. This has led to a catalogue of half-finished shows, which can reduce the value of the content as viewers may be reluctant to start a show that has no conclusion. Despite this, Netflix has a reputation for being hands-off and treating show creators well, allowing them more freedom and less advertiser interference in the creation of their shows.
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The show's critical acclaim and loyal following
Santa Clarita Diet was a hit with both critics and fans. The first season received generally positive reviews, with an approval rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 67 out of 100 on Metacritic. The second season also received positive reviews, with an approval rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average rating of 7.85/10. The third season was praised as a "generous meal of entrails, morbid humor, and a touching affirmation of marital love".
The show's creator, Victor Fresco, was surprised by the cancellation, as it had a loyal fanbase who praised its humour and storytelling. Fans were disappointed by the show's abrupt ending, especially as the third season ended on a cliffhanger. One fan commented that it was "absolutely hilarious, heartfelt, and [...] one of the goriest shows that isn't horror". Another said that they would never stop being mad about the cancellation, and that Netflix should have finished the show or waited until it had a few seasons under its belt before cancelling it.
Netflix's decision to cancel the show was likely due to its ""cost-plus" budget model, which takes into account audience turnout and critical acclaim. Despite the show's success and acclaim, the increasing production costs may have outweighed the benefits of continuing the series.
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Netflix's cancellation of original content
Netflix's cancellation of its original content has left many fans disappointed and frustrated. The streaming service has gained a reputation for abruptly cancelling shows, including its original series, leaving fans with no closure and a catalogue of unfinished shows. Santa Clarita Diet is one such example, with fans expressing anger and sadness over its abrupt end after three seasons.
Santa Clarita Diet, a horror-comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, garnered positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The show centred on a married couple, real estate agents whose lives took a turn when the wife started exhibiting zombie-like symptoms and craving human flesh. Despite its success and a loyal fanbase, Netflix pulled the plug on the show, citing its "`cost-plus` budget model" as the primary reason. This model involves paying upfront production costs plus a premium, resulting in significant budget increases with each new season.
Netflix's decision-making process for cancellations remains opaque, but it considers audience turnout and critical acclaim. The streaming service has faced criticism for its apparent shift from high-quality originals to a focus on broad appeal. Fans argue that Netflix should consider completing shows that have already established a following, as it would be more cost-effective than starting new shows from scratch.
The cancellation of Santa Clarita Diet highlights a broader issue with Netflix's approach to original content. While the service once prided itself on saving shows cancelled by traditional networks, it now seems more inclined to cancel shows that don't become immediate runaway successes. This strategy may negatively impact Netflix's brand reputation, as viewers become reluctant to invest time in new shows for fear of premature cancellation.
Additionally, Netflix's original content strategy faces challenges due to increasing competition from other streaming platforms like Disney+ and Apple TV+. The emergence of these new platforms has likely influenced Netflix's decision-making, contributing to the cancellation of shows like Santa Clarita Diet.
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The show's advertising and promotion
In February 2017, Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod appeared in a Canadian promo for the series, promoting the eponymous "diet" in a parody of their Body Break series of television PSAs.
The show received generally positive reviews from critics and fans, with an approval rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season and 89% for its second. Despite its success and acclaim, Netflix's "cost-plus" budget model meant that the show was cancelled after three seasons.
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The possibility of a revival
Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled in 2019, after three seasons. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, was "blindsided" by the cancellation, as he was already editing season 3 when he learned that the sets were being dismantled.
Despite the show's critical acclaim and loyal fanbase, Netflix's decision to cancel the show was based on its cost-plus budget model, which takes into account audience turnout and critical acclaim. The budget for the show increases with each new season, and the top talent can see their pay increase from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
However, there is still a possibility for a revival. Netflix has revived shows in the past based on audience demand, and Fresco has expressed interest in continuing the show, saying that emotionally, everyone on the show would love to provide some kind of closure.
In an interview, Fresco shared his ideas for a potential fourth season, stating that he thought it would be fun to do a season with Joel and Sheila in the same boat, as zombies with a hunger for human flesh. He felt that this would be better for the cast and crew, as well as for the fans.
While a revival may not be possible in the near future due to the busy schedules of the show's stars, Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, there is still a chance that Netflix could bring the show back to provide closure for its dedicated fans.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled in 2019 after three seasons.
Netflix's decision to cancel the show was due to its cost-plus budget model. The streaming giant's decision to cancel shows is based on audience turnout and critical acclaim.
Fans of the show were disappointed and angry about the cancellation, especially since the third season ended on a cliffhanger.
