Leena Watts
Santa Clarita Diet was a Netflix original series starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as married realtors, Sheila and Joel Hammond. The show was cancelled in 2019 after three seasons, despite having a strong cult following. Netflix's decision to cancel the show was influenced by a complicated budget model and the fact that it was not a monster hit. While there is a possibility that the show could be revived in the future, as Netflix has done with other series, it is unlikely that it will be picked up by another network due to clauses in Netflix's original series contracts preventing them from being acquired by another network for multiple years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show | Santa Clarita Diet |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Cancellation | Cancelled in 2019 after 3 seasons |
| Reason for Cancellation | Complicated budget model, annually-increasing bonuses, and clauses in original series contracts |
| Fanbase | Strong cult following and loyal fanbase |
| Petitions | Online petitions with hundreds of thousands of signatures |
| Potential Revivals | Unlikely due to Netflix's contracts and ownership, but not impossible |
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What You'll Learn
Santa Clarita Diet's creator Victor Fresco's reaction to the show's cancellation
Santa Clarita Diet creator Victor Fresco was "blindsided" by the news of the show's cancellation. In an interview with The Guardian, he shared that he found out about the cancellation when his assistant producer walked into the edit suite for season three to inform him that the sets were being dismantled.
Fresco said that he had an inkling the show might not be renewed for a fourth season, so he ended season three on a cliffhanger, revealing that Joel had turned into a zombie. He didn't want to make it easy for Netflix to cancel the show, and he felt that Netflix had a huge disincentive to renew shows for a fourth or fifth season due to the increasing costs.
Despite the abrupt cancellation, Fresco expressed gratitude towards Netflix for taking a chance on the show and acknowledged their support and positivity throughout the production. He also highlighted the freedom that Netflix provided in terms of content and structure, allowing for more graphic and experimental storytelling than traditional networks.
Fresco's reaction to the show's cancellation was a mix of disappointment, resentment towards Netflix, and gratitude for the opportunity. He also acknowledged the strong reviews and loyal following the show had garnered, but ultimately, it wasn't enough to justify a renewal in the competitive streaming landscape.
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Netflix's complicated budget model and contract clauses
Netflix's budget model and contract clauses are complex and differ from traditional TV networks. The company has popularized a cost-plus model, where it pays for a show's production costs upfront and offers an additional fee for the rights to own the original series. This strategy makes it challenging for traditional TV networks to compete and acquire content. Netflix's substantial budget, which reached $13.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to increase to $18.9 billion by 2025, enables it to outbid competitors.
The cost-plus model has advantages and disadvantages for creators. On the one hand, Netflix's ability to pay more upfront is appealing to creators, as it gets them closer to their full budget. Additionally, Netflix has fewer advertiser demands, giving creators more freedom in their work. However, the downside is that Netflix seizes a more significant share of the revenue on big hits, which can result in creators signing away a substantial portion of their future earnings.
Netflix's contracts include various clauses that define the terms of collaboration and protect the rights of all parties involved. These clauses cover intellectual property (IP) rights, licensing and sublicensing, moral rights and attribution, and termination and reversion. IP clauses specify ownership, usage, and distribution rights, ensuring that the creative work is used appropriately according to the agreed-upon terms. Licensing and sublicensing clauses define Netflix's ability to license or sublicense content to third parties, helping the company monetize while ensuring creators receive appropriate compensation. Moral rights refer to the creator's right to be recognized as the author and maintain the integrity of their work, and these rights are also outlined in the contract.
Termination and reversion clauses address situations where IP rights may revert to the original creator if Netflix decides not to produce or distribute the content. These clauses provide creators with alternative distribution options if Netflix chooses not to move forward with a project. Overall, Netflix's budget model and contract clauses reflect the company's strategy to acquire content by offering competitive upfront payments while retaining a larger share of future revenues from successful shows.
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The show's cult following and fan petitions
Santa Clarita Diet, a Netflix original zombie comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, was cancelled in 2019 after three seasons due to a complicated budget model. The show had built a strong cult following, and fans were left disappointed and demanding answers, especially after the cliffhanger ending of season 3, which saw Joel getting bitten.
Fan petitions to bring back the show circulated, with one on Change.org reading: "Plain and simple. Here to show the NETWORK Dinks at NETFLIX that they are making a HUGE mistake in not renewing their very own 'Santa Clarita Diet.'" Within a week of being active, the petition had garnered more than 118,000 signatures, with other petitions also gathering thousands of signatures.
The creator of the show, Victor Fresco, also expressed his disappointment, saying that he felt badly for the fans and that he already had ideas for a fourth season. Fresco hinted that the new season could explore Joel's undead journey and how he struggles to come to terms with his new life, in contrast to his wife Sheila, who accepted her condition pretty quickly.
Despite the strong support for the show and the possibility of it being picked up by another network or streaming service, there are challenges to its revival. Netflix includes clauses in its original series contracts preventing them from being picked up on another network for multiple years. Additionally, Netflix makes decisions based on internal metrics, considering the likelihood of a show bringing in new subscribers, which may have influenced their decision to cancel the show after three seasons.
While a revival of Santa Clarita Diet may seem unlikely, fans can take comfort in the fact that other shows, such as Lucifer and Star Trek: The Next Generation, have been revived or continued on different platforms after being cancelled.
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The possibility of a different platform picking up the show
Fans of the show Santa Clarita Diet were shocked when Netflix abruptly cancelled the show in 2019 after three seasons. The show had gained a loyal fanbase who loved its unique blend of horror and comedy, and its abrupt ending left many questions unanswered.
While Netflix has not given an official reason for the cancellation, it is speculated that it was due to their "cost-plus" budget model, where they invest in shows that offer the most significant return on investment. Despite the show's critical acclaim and dedicated fanbase, it seems that Santa Clarita Diet did not bring in enough viewers to justify its production costs.
However, there is still a possibility that the show could be revived on a different platform. Shortly after the show's cancellation, petitions began circulating, calling for other networks, specifically HBO or FX, to pick up the show for a fourth season. The petitions highlighted the show's quality and argued that a premium network like HBO, which values quality over quantity, would be the perfect home for the show.
Unfortunately, any potential revival of the show on another platform faces a significant obstacle. Netflix typically includes clauses in its original series contracts that prevent them from being picked up by another network for a significant period, rumoured to be anywhere from two to seven years. While this challenge may be difficult to overcome, it is not impossible. For example, the show One Day at a Time was picked up by PopTV after being cancelled by Netflix, so there is still hope for Santa Clarita Diet.
While it has been a few years since the show's cancellation, and the cast and crew have moved on to other projects, the conversation around reviving Santa Clarita Diet persists. Fans are eager for answers to the show's lingering questions, and the show's creator, Victor Fresco, has expressed his desire to give closure to the fans. Only time will tell if another platform will pick up the show and give it the ending it deserves.
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Potential storylines for a fourth season
Santa Clarita Diet ended on a cliffhanger, with Sheila biting her husband Joel to turn him into a zombie after he was attacked by a flesh-eating spider. Series creator Victor Fresco had already envisioned a fourth season exploring the aftermath of this twist, with Joel now a zombie like his wife.
Fresco stated that he would have wanted to see Joel "a little bit different" in his new undead state, struggling to come to terms with his new life, in contrast to Sheila's quick acceptance of her condition. This would have added a new dynamic to their relationship, with the couple now truly "'in the same boat'".
The fourth season could have also delved into the relationship between the Hammonds' daughter Abby and their neighbour Eric, as well as continuing the story of the mysterious couple tracking the family and the return of Gary West's head, which Joel and Sheila had bonded with.
While a fourth season is unlikely due to the show's cancellation and the busy schedules of stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, there is a small chance of a revival if viewership increases and makes it seem worthwhile to Netflix.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unlikely that Santa Clarita Diet will be picked up by another network as Netflix includes clauses in its original series contracts preventing them from being picked up on another network for multiple years.
Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled due to a complicated budget model. Netflix also includes annually-increasing bonuses in most contracts, which makes it less profitable for them to renew shows for a fourth season.
There are currently no plans for a fourth season of Santa Clarita Diet. However, fans are still hopeful for a revival as the show ended on a cliffhanger and the creator has expressed interest in continuing the story.
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