In devastating news for seekers of dick-and/or-poo-based truth, Netflix is pulling the plug on American Vandal. A true-crime parody about two teenage documentarians, Peter Maldonado and Sam Ecklund, investigating sublimely juvenile crimes within America’s schools, the Funny Or Die and CBS TV-produced comedy series is a perfect example of how to do smart-dumb right. Our own Brian Tallerico praised the shows’ season two finale as timely and prescient, saying in his recap, “the brilliance of this episode is that it’s not a mere castigation of the Instagram Generation, but a call to people to support every iteration of those you love, even the kinky online ones.”
Netflix, as ever, has declined to comment on the series’ ratings, simply saying in a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter, “American Vandal will not return for a third season. We’re very grateful to the creators, writers, cast and crew for bringing their innovative comedy to Netflix, and to the fans and critics who embraced its unique and unconventional humor.” But, much like Peter’s short-lived theory that it was his partner Sam who drew the dicks, searching for answers in American Vandal’s ratings is an investigative dead end. The culprit in this particular case is clear: Netflix has begun a long, slow process of withdrawing all of its original series from outside studios. That explains last weekend’s axing of Marvel’s Luke Cage, as well as the cancellation of All About The Washingtons and Iron Fist.
On that note, American Vandal co-creators Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda say they’ve received multiple offers to revive the series elsewhere for its third season, which is already in early stages of development. Given the tribalistic turn the streaming business seems to be taking at the moment, don’t be surprised if that “elsewhere” turns out to be CBS All Access.