‘Shining Vale’ Found a New Home Following its Cancelation by Starz

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As a devoted fan of Shining Vale, I have to say that this series has left an indelible mark on my viewing experiences. I can still remember the exhilarating anticipation as I waited for each new episode to drop, eagerly devouring every bit of the Phelps family’s twisted journey through their haunted Connecticut home. The show was a masterful blend of humor and horror that kept me on the edge of my seat, and it’s heartbreaking to see it prematurely canceled by Starz.

The news came as a shock, especially since I had just started recommending it to friends and family, confident that they would soon join the ranks of devoted fans. Alas, fate had other plans, and we were left with only two seasons to savor. It felt like the rug was pulled out from under us, leaving a void that no other show could fill.

But then, on New Year’s Day 2025, hope sprang anew! Max brought back both seasons of Shining Vale, and it quickly climbed the charts, proving that there was still a hunger for this unique blend of comedy and horror. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of vindication as I binge-watched the series once more, relishing every moment of Patricia’s descent into madness (or was it possession?) and Terry’s desperate attempts to hold their family together amidst the chaos.

Now, as I watch the show on Max, I can’t help but wonder if the positive reception might convince another streamer to pick up Shining Vale for a third season. After all, there are still stories to be told, and I, for one, am eagerly awaiting more from the Phelps family. In the meantime, I’ll just have to content myself with Courteney Cox’s return as Gale Weathers in the next Scream movie – although I can’t help but feel that nothing will ever quite measure up to the twisted brilliance of Shining Vale.

As for a joke to lighten the mood, let me leave you with this: They say you should never meet your idols, but I’m going to break that rule and go knock on Courteney Cox’s door, just to see if she can exorcise my own haunted house! (Hopefully, it won’t turn out to be a Shining Vale-like experience…)

The acclaimed horror-comedy series “Shining Vale,” starring Courteney Cox and Greg Kinnear, was unfortunately discontinued by Starz towards the end of 2023, wrapping up after only two seasons. To make matters worse, the show was also taken down from Starz’s library. However, fans can now rejoice as both seasons have made a comeback on Max on New Year’s Day in 2025 and swiftly climbed to the third spot on the rankings.

The series chronicles the Phelps family, with Patricia “Pat” (played by Courteney Cox) and Terry (Greg Kinnear), who relocate to a vintage home in a quaint Connecticut village, hoping to mend their marital issues. However, it appears that this house was the scene of grim occurrences, potentially haunted. Over time, Pat starts questioning whether she has been taken over by the malevolent spirits that might reside within the dwelling.

In spring 2022, Shining Vale made its premiere, garnering favorable feedback both from critics and audiences, as well as attracting approximately 228,000 viewers. At Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a 71% approval rating from critics and an impressive 84% from viewers. The series is renowned for its unique blend of comedy and horror, eerie ambiance, and standout performances by the cast.

Despite winning a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Series (Network/Cable), the accolade didn’t boost viewership significantly. The second season of the series saw a decline in ratings, with some episodes drawing as few as 43,000 viewers. Consequently, Starz decided to cancel the show in December 2023.

Individuals hoping to marathon-watch Shining Vale were unfortunately left disappointed as well, because Starz removed both seasons from their library by December 31, 2023. However, good news arrives for fans and those intrigued by the show, since Max began airing the two seasons from January 1, 2025, attracting positive audience response. This allows everyone to delve into the lives of the Phelps family.

Could Max Help Give Shinging Vale a Third Season?

Before the show’s cancellation, Jeff Astrof and the team were looking forward to moving forward with the series, as he was already penning scripts for season 3. He had high hopes that another streaming platform might take up “Shining Vale”. In a statement to Variety in December 2023, he expressed:

As a passionate fan and creator of this beloved show, I can’t help but feel disheartened by its cancellation. Having invested countless hours developing and writing for it, the news has left me feeling crushed and deeply saddened. However, I remain optimistic that another streaming platform might pick it up, as there is still so much story to tell – in fact, we’ve already started writing Season 3. With my years of experience in this industry, I know how unpredictable it can be, and I am hopeful that our hard work will find a new home where it can continue to thrive.

As a long-time fan of TV shows and someone who has seen many series come and go, I can confidently say that Shining Vale’s jump to number three on Max’s streaming chart is a promising sign for its future. However, based on my observations, it’s crucial for the show to maintain strong streaming numbers and attract new viewers if it wants to secure a third season. With my years of experience in following various shows, I’ve learned that success depends not only on initial popularity but also on consistent viewership and ongoing interest from new fans. So while I’m hopeful for Shining Vale’s continued existence, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the streaming numbers to see if it can sustain its momentum.

In the interim, Cox and Kinnear have since moved forward after the series ended prematurely. Cox is set to reprise his role as Gale Weathers in the next Scream film, whereas Kinnear has recently been seen in ‘You Gotta Believe’ alongside Luke Wilson and is involved in several other projects. Meanwhile, Astrof has kept himself occupied, working on ‘Responsibility Island’ and the upcoming ‘Stumble’.

Watch both seasons of Shining Vale on Max.

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2025-01-03 01:04