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NY Post

Does Netflix Have a Late-Night Problem?

Aug 21, 2018  •  Post A Comment

Netflix appears to be having a hard time breaking into the late-night talk show format, and it’s not for a lack of trying. Writing for The New York Post, entertainment reporter Michael Starr notes that the streamer “just can’t seem to find the right fit, or programming strategy, for a hit talk show.”

Starr adds that Netflix “whiffed in its first attempt — Chelsea Handler’s ‘Chelsea,’ which stuck around for two retooled seasons (2016-17) but generated little buzz — and now it’s canned ‘The Break with Michelle Wolf’ and ‘The Joel McHale Show’ both after very short one-season runs.”

Starr notes that Netflix tends to keep its shows around, “so it’s always surprising when the ax falls on one, let alone two, well-publicized shows — and on the same day, no less.”

Starr poses the obvious question of whether streaming might be the wrong platform for the late-night talk show. His answer: “Maybe. But it’s 2018. Netflix is a known entity. It’s snared many high-profile TV names (including David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes) in big-money deals. People who know about these shows will find them. And many late-night fans watch their favorites via delayed viewing (online, DVR, apps, etc.) — not much different than watching these shows on Netflix (which has an app).”

We encourage readers to click on the link above to the New York Post to read Starr’s full analysis.

3 Comments

  1. Solution…..Jay Leno and/or Craig Ferguson.

  2. Netflix may need to concede that regular late night programming relies on current events. Not just politics, but celebrities promoting upcoming movies, books, music, tours/appearances and television. That programming doesn’t stay fresh very long. It doesn’t fit with what subscribers are looking for on Netflix. One of the reasons that subscribers go to Netflix is to get away from that type of routine television programming. Back in the days that Johnny Carson had a 90-minute program, the last 30 minutes was usually dedicated to introducing new standup acts. Roseanne Barr, Jim Carey, Freddie Prinze, Eddie Murphy, Ellen DeGeneres, Stephen Wright, David Brenner, Gary Shandling, David Letterman, Drew Carey, Jerry Seinfeld, Joan Rivers and many more. If Netflix can find stand-ups that are not doing only political humor, like Samuel Comroe and Vicki Barbolak who appeared on AGT this year; they may be able to build a program around introducing these acts to the public. They could run it as a late night show, and if done properly, it also won’t get stale, and can be watched anytime. These acts are looking for a national platform and Netflix could provide that. If done properly it could bring people to their late night as these acts have the ability to create word of mouth that would bring people to the program to be among the first to see these acts.

  3. Here’s a thought. Stop putting on deranged
    mentally Ill liberals that are supposed to pass as comedians who constantly make everything political every night and maybe people would watch something. Just a thought.

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