Summary
- Streaming services will occasionally cancel successful series;
Teenage Bounty Hunters
is an example. - Teenage Bounty Hunters
‘ cast offers compelling and heartwarming characters. - The show’s cancelation resulted in a fervent effort to save it from fans and creators.
As a dedicated fan who has followed the heartwarming journey of the Teenage Bounty Hunters, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and disappointment when I think about this series that could have been. Having grown up during the cable era, it was refreshing to see a streaming service deliver such an entertaining, engaging, and diverse show like TBH. The chemistry among the cast members was palpable, making each episode a delight to watch.
Netflix often struggles with extending successful shows for more than one season. Over the past decade, it has become noticeable that even highly-rated series are frequently canceled prematurely. The era of cable television and long-running, 20-episode-per-season series seems to be fading away. Nowadays, most productions are classified as limited series, whether they were planned that way or not. It doesn’t matter if the story has unresolved plot points or if viewers express a desire for additional seasons.
Andy Rice, a media, journalism, and film professor, explained this situation to The Miami Student. In essence, he pointed out that unlike traditional broadcast television, streaming services don’t make more money when a show is watched by more people because it operates on a subscription basis. This means that one subscriber equals one unit of income, regardless of how many viewers a show attracts. Furthermore, numerous shows, especially those with large casts and many extras, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic as they required additional safety measures which made production too costly. One of the shows most affected by this trend was the Netflix comedy series Teenage Bounty Hunters.
Don’t Be Fooled by the Title, Teenage Bounty Hunters Has Broad Appeal
The series “Teenage Bounty Hunters” follows two high school students, Blair and Sterling Wesley, who accidentally become involved in the world of bounty hunting after meeting a local hunter named Bowser. They discover they have a natural talent for this line of work and find enjoyment in it. As they secretly work as his interns to balance their regular student life and personal relationships, they also handle family responsibilities. The lead actors, Anjelica Bette Fellini, Maddie Phillips, and Kadeem Hardison, deliver both comedic and dramatic performances that make the show engaging. The cast is delightful and gifted, with numerous remarkable acts that it’s challenging to single out one for mention.
The program evokes series such as Veronica Mars due to its teenage crime-solving and delicate balancing acts. However, it leans more towards comedy. Produced by Jenji Kohan, who also created Orange is the New Black and GLOW, Teenage Bounty Hunters shares a similar vibe with these shows, all being ensemble dramedies. Yet, what makes Teenage Bounty Hunters stand out is the remarkable chemistry and warmth among its cast members. This familial bond resonates deeply with viewers, particularly during a period when everyone was feeling so disconnected.
Ultimately, what captivated me about the show was its core idea: that personal development can occur at any stage of life and often emerges from the most unexpected sources. I found myself learning just as much from Bowser, who was in his mid-50s, as he did from us teenagers. The mix of ages, along with other forms of diversity, added an additional layer of appeal for viewers like me.
The Wild ‘Save TBH’ Campaign
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I was deeply saddened when I heard that “Teenage Bounty Hunters” had been cancelled. The announcement sparked an overwhelming wave of reactions, with countless articles and social media posts expressing disappointment. The creators and actors themselves voiced their sorrow, especially since the series concluded on a suspenseful cliffhanger. Fans rallied together, drawing parallels to shows like “Arrested Development” that were revived following similar grassroots campaigns. They started a Change.org petition, bombarded Netflix with tweets, and even sent Sour Patch Kids (a nod to the show) to Netflix executives in hopes of changing their minds. However, Netflix remained steadfast in their decision.
One might assume that the cancellation of the show would have left fans disheartened, but surprisingly, this isn’t the case. Fan enthusiasm remains high, as evidenced by their ongoing comments on cast members and creator Kathleen Jordan’s social media pages. Contrary to expectations, articles about the show didn’t cease in 2020; instead, they have persisted annually since then. An article from Paste Magazine in 2022, titled ‘It Still Stings: Teenage Bounty Hunters Deserved More than Getting Lost in Netflix’s Churn‘, encapsulates the sentiments of many fans quite effectively.
If any positivity can be drawn from this situation, it’s clear that Kathleen Jordan’s debut original series, “Teenage Bounty Hunters,” was highly appreciated. Given its tremendous success, it might have contributed to the production of her next series, “The Decameron,” by Netflix. Additionally, Jordan has signed a comprehensive contract with HBO and Max, and the actors have landed roles elsewhere as well. For instance, Fellini appeared in Wes Anderson’s movie, “The French Dispatch,” while Phillips starred in the hit Amazon Prime Video series, Gen V. By the way, you can stream “Teenage Bounty Hunters” on Netflix.
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2024-08-18 23:01