How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)

How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)

As a long-time fan of quirky comedies and someone who has spent more than a fair share of time binge-watching TV shows, I can wholeheartedly say that A.P. Bio is one of the most underrated gems out there. This show, with its clever humor and lovable characters, has managed to carve a special place in my heart.

Despite social media’s numerous drawbacks, it’s hard to ignore the influence it wields over audiences. For enthusiasts of NBC’s acclaimed sitcom “A.P. Bio”, this influence was significantly tested following the show’s cancellation – a test they faced not just once, but twice.

The series centers around Jack Griffin, formerly a witty schemer from Harvard philosophy department (previously portrayed by Glenn Howerton in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), who loses his coveted position to a professional rival. In retaliation, he is compelled to accept a teaching role at his hometown high school, instructing advanced placement biology. Griffin manipulates his gifted students with the intention of sabotaging the individual who took his job and reclaiming his professional status.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the ingenious creation of “A.P Bio,” a brainchild of Mike O’Brien, who also graced us with his presence on Saturday Night Live. Alongside Executive Producer Seth Myers, this show has assembled an exceptional team and cast, boasting comedic powerhouses like Patton Oswalt as the principal, Lyric Lewis, Jacob McCarthy, Mary Sohn, Nick Peine, and Apama Brielle. To add to the laughter, a host of hilarious guest stars have graced our screens throughout its run, including Vanessa Bayer, Nikki Glaser, Niecy Nash, and Angela Kinsey.

A.P. Bio Canceled Because of Low Ratings

How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)

Initially, A.P. Bio was acquired by NBC in 2017, debuted in 2018, and its first season performed satisfactorily, with the second episode “Teacher Jail” attracting close to six million viewers. Yet, viewership numbers subsequently dropped as the series progressed. As per reports from Variety and TVLine, Season 1’s episodes typically garnered around two to three million viewers. In comparison to NBC’s shows like Will & Grace and Chicago Fire, which averaged between four and six million viewers per episode, A.P. Bio started off poorly. Despite this, the show received favorable reviews and fan acclaim, prompting NBC to renew it for a second season.

Unfortunately, the ratings didn’t show improvement; instead, they deteriorated for Season 2. The majority of episodes failed to attract more than two million viewers, and even fell short of surpassing the viewership from the first season. Consequently, the network executives decided to terminate A.P. Bio after its Season 2 finale in 2019.

Despite the comedy struggling with viewership on traditional TV networks, it found a significant and passionate following on digital platforms instead. Fans, disheartened by the news of its cancellation, took to the internet to voice their disagreement with NBC’s decision. The intense public backlash and the widespread #saveAPBio campaign led NBC to reevaluate the show’s popularity and renew it for two more seasons. However, given that online ratings and audience interaction indicated the series was better suited for digital consumption, NBC decided to exclusively broadcast seasons three and four on their streaming service Peacock.

Peacock Canceled A.P. Bio Again in 2021

How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)

Regrettably, hardcore enthusiasts were left disappointed when A.P. Bio was axed by Peacock once more in 2021. Despite its two most recent seasons gaining increased popularity and a flawless rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the streaming platform chose not to renew it again. The rationale behind their decision remains vague. Although details about the series’ production and viewership had previously been communicated with fans, Peacock has declined to provide an explanation for this latest cancellation.

Despite the expectation that ratings for A.P. Bio would increase due to increased home streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that they didn’t improve enough to warrant another season. Regrettably, even a surge in social media activity and hashtags hasn’t influenced decision-makers to reconsider this decision.

A.P. Bio’s Fanbase Is Still Growing

How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)How ‘A.P. Bio’ Was Canceled Twice (and How Fans Brought It Back)

As a devoted cinephile, I must confess that despite several cancellations, “A.P. Bio” remains one of my favorite shows to watch. This series has managed to gather both critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase, which is no small feat. More intriguingly, it seems to be continuously captivating new viewers as well. Just recently, the show found a new home on Netflix – marking the first time NBC has licensed its rights outside their network. Within a blink of an eye after its debut, the comedy soared onto Netflix’s Top 10 streaming list!

As a devoted fan of “A.P. Bio”, I must admit that the show’s future may be uncertain, but its appeal certainly isn’t. Despite not garnering a massive viewership during its run, the passionate following it has managed to gather speaks volumes about its quality.

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2024-11-30 21:31