The streaming wars may be coming to a close and it looks like there will be a lot of losers and not a lot of winners. As Paramount+ prepares to merge with Showtime, it is purging some content, seemingly for good. However, unlike the projects that were eliminated by Disney+, which will likely never again see the light of day, the Paramount+ material will be shopped around by their studios and could find new homes.
The four shows being removed are Star Trek: Prodigy, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, The Game, and Queen of the Universe.
A spokesperson stated:
“We want to extend our thanks to our tremendously talented cast and crew and our producing partners for their passionate work and dedication on these programs, and we wish them all the best on their future endeavors.”
Star Trek: Prodigy seems to be the oddest cancellation, as Paramount+ has been touting itself as the “one-stop shop” for all things Trek. Should Prodigy wind up somewhere else, that creates a hole in that lineup. Also, the second season is already in production and reportedly, the crew will continue working on it while CBS Studios (which makes the show) shops it around.
According to executive producer Aaron J. Waltke:
“I have noticed some misleading headlines, so all I can do is [reiterate that] we are completing Season 2 on schedule and seeking a new home!”
This series was shared with Nickelodeon, but reportedly that outlet does not plan to pick it up moving forward. Unfortunately, Prodigy doesn’t have a lot of options beyond that. As mentioned, Disney+ just purged 50+ shows and movies, so it’s not likely they would pick up an outside series, even for its cable channels, especially one that has already proven to be unpopular. And Cartoon Network is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which is streamlining its own lineup on Max.
But never say never. Someone might want it, especially if they are essentially getting two seasons. The worst-case scenario, of course, is that fans might never get to see the second season if Prodigy doesn’t find a new outlet.
Of the remaining shows, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, is probably completely dead. It may not be on the level of House of the Dragon, it is a period piece, set in the 1950s, making it more expensive to produce than a similar show set in the present.
On the flip side, The Game (also from CBS Studios) might find a home, because it IS set in the present (which would allow for corporate sponsorships and product placement). It is a Black-fronted show and there is a desire for that content. The first The Game series aired on The CW but was later picked up by BET, so that network may be interested in the revival. Another option could be OWN.
Finally, Queen of the Universe, a singing competition featuring drag queens from around the world, might also find a home. It is produced by World of Wonder, the studio behind the RuPaul‘s Drag Race franchise (RuPaul is an executive producer), which is released across various platforms, including World of Wonder’s own streaming service, while the main RuPaul’s Drag Race series airs on MTV after have run on VH1 and Logo.
Singing competitions are cheap and generate ratings. This could be an easy companion piece for MTV to air back-to-back with Drag Race.
Were you a fan of any of these shows? Where would you like to see them wind up?
[UPDATE: Paramount+ has since announced that it is also scrapping Inside Amy Schumer, From Cradle to Stage (a docuseries directed by Dave Grohl), Kevin Williamson’s thriller anthology Tell Me A Story, another docuseries Ghislaine: Partner in Crime, the original movies Fantasy Football, and Snow Day and a slew of Nickelodeon content including All In With Cam Newton, Allegra’s Window, Becca’s Bunch, Bella and the Bulldogs, Crashletes, Digby Dragon, The Fresh Beat Band, The Halo Effect, Legendary Dudas, Monsters vs. Aliens, Mutt & Stuff, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, Peter Rabbit, Pig Goat Banana Cricket, Ride and The Troop.]
