Netflix, home to runaway hits like “Orange is the New Black,” “House of Cards” and “Stranger Things,” reportedly paid Chelsea Handler $10 million to do her weekly talk show, “Chelsea.” So far it looks like money poorly spent. The on-demand streaming video outlet gave Handler’s show a big push when it launched in May 2016, but the response has been lackluster at best.
Netflix does not offer ratings beyond thumbs up or thumbs down from viewers, so it’s nearly impossible to quantify a show’s success. But the series, originally intended to air three times a week, has been switched to one show a week, on Fridays, in the second season.
-
Related Story: Scott Disick No Longer Drinking Thanks To Sofia Richie; Prince Harry Asking Meghan Markle’s Mother For Her Hand In Marriage
“Netflix invests in an entirely speculative manner,” Lex Jurgen, of WWTDD.com, told Fox News. “They wanted [an] edgy female comedian talk show, or a Netflix version of ‘Real Time with Bill Maher,’ who they are now clearly imitating both in style and scheduling.
“There won’t be a ‘Chelsea’ Season three unless they simply insist on pretending they didn’t make a poor decision in the first place,” Jurgen said. “If only they put that same money into showcasing some of the actually talented female comedians with something insightful to say beyond cheap Trump or Britney Spears jokes.”
A former TV network executive, who wished to remain anonymous, said the program just isn’t resonating with viewers.
“When Chelsea gets quoted, it seems to be apart from her show brand. So, she’s not that quotable, and more importantly, her show is not that quotable.” But it’s not so much a Handler problem as it is a reflection of Netflix itself, the exec continued. “It points to a bigger challenge for Netflix. They are a streaming service, famous for helping to establish the whole binge-watching phenomenon, where you might check in a few nights a week to watch multiple episodes of a longer narrative. A show like Chelsea’s would thrive on live-streaming or individual episode watching, every night it’s on. Otherwise, it loses its topicality.”
[From Fox News]
Kim Kardashian Spends Much Money On North
A former staffer says big purchases include a $1 million wardrobe, $50,000 diamond earrings, a $54,000 custom dollhouse, A $62,000 tiara for playing dress-up and yes her very own personal stylist. Spoiled?
