A popular American sitcom will end after nine seasons.
Starting in 2018, Housemates earnt acclaim for its relatable plots, humour, and chemistry between the main characters.
Though as the show wore on, those strengths became weaknesses: the relatable plots become tired and cliched, the humour was more reliant on marketing-friendly catchphrases and driven by an annoying laugh track, and the chemistry started to wane as the main cast became movie stars with different levels of fame.
Housemates‘ created Matt Partridge thought he’d be sad when the cancellation news came in December last year, but he was surprisingly relieved.
“I knew we were in trouble when we were writing season eight and were starting to recycle plots from earlier seasons. It wasn’t intentional, but you only have so many ideas. And our plan to bring back popular side characters was criticised as ‘cynical nostalgia bait’. Part of me wanted to get to 10 seasons, but we would have been running on fumes by then,” said Partridge. “Though I can’t argue about the fading chemistry. The main cast has had less time and interest for us as their movie careers kicked off. When they’re not shooting, they’re talking with their agents or studying scripts for their next movie. You can’t blame them for wanting to make the most of their opportunities.”
Since receiving the news (with the final episode of season nine airing in May), Partridge has spent a lot of time thinking about his next project.
“Some of the secondary actors are starting an official rewatch podcast and invited me to be on it, but I need a clean start. I’ve been working on some book ideas that I may pursue once I finally have some free time.”
Though the show’s commercial TV network is doing its best to keep the show’s popularity up, showing old episodes at 7pm every weeknight and a special Housemates Night on Wednesdays: three old episodes (7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm) a new episode (8:30pm), and an ‘adults only’ episode (9pm).
Partridge hopes the show will be revisited with fonder eyes when it eventually moves to streaming services.
“The ratings are falling now because fans are bored of it, but give them a few years to get nostalgic about the show, and then they can binge it through streaming and remember why they loved it in the first place.”
