Sarah Silverman’s I Love You America Cancelled By Hulu, Too Soon
Sarah Silverman’s I Love You America seems to be another casualty of the inability of streaming companies to succeed in the talk show market.
Wednesday Hulu announced they were cancelling the series. In a world where we usually look to streaming platforms to save canceled tv series, Silverman’s I Love You America needs a hero in the reverse. I Love You America belongs on standard, non-streaming, air once a week television. HBO? You could use a new talk show. How bout ILYA?
But it’s unfortunate that streaming networks can’t make talk work because Hulu seemed like a great home for Sarah’s “I Love You America” show. A place where she could speak openly. She’s one of the most interesting and funniest voices in the business, and her show consistently generated important conversations about all the hot topics making the rounds.
The series debuted in October 2017 and ran for a year with 21 episodes released over two seasons. The series received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy. Guests and contributors included Megan Phelps-Roper, Tig Notaro, Al Franken, Patton Oswalt, Roxanne Gay, Kate Berlant, Bernie Sanders, Will Ferrell, Bill Burr, Corey Booker, Gavin Newsom, Bill Maher.
Silverman was as surprised as everyone else, calling on social media to mourn the loss with her. “Well, Hulu cancelled I LOVE YOU AMERICA and we’re all pretty damn heartbroken,” she wrote. “… So in traditional twitter funeral style, I’ll be RTing the love.”
What’s different about this funeral is that the love didn’t just pour in from sad sad fans. The love came pouring in from other comedians and entertainers. Sister Laura Silverman, Wyatt Cenac, Morgan Murphy, Kate Berlant, John Early, Mike Birbiglia, Mindy Kaling, Don Cheadle, Matt Braunger, Seth Herzog, Guy Branum, Ron Funches and more were among the mourners. Luke Skywalker himself was upset but unfortunately didn’t promise to lead a resistance. And all those other blue checkmarks whose names you might not know all work in television either in comedy, critics, writers, journalistsand other industry professionals, giving Sarah a pretty impressive shiva for her show.
The collective follower count of all the people upset about the show’s cancellation is gigantic, so it seems like there’s a place for this show to live on.
Well, Hulu cancelled I LOVE YOU AMERICA and we’re all pretty damn heartbroken.
… So in traditional twitter funeral style, I’ll be RTing the love.
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/DonCheadle/status/1083089870627565568
Thanks for making a wonderful show. Funny, thought provoking and curious in a moment when it sometimes feels easier to entrench oneself in one's own camp rather than try to find common ground.
And one of the few shows courageous enough to show the nipples of an old man in a pool.— Wyatt Cenac (@wyattcenac) January 10, 2019
I looooooooooooove I LOVE YOU AMERICA. We can always rewatch these little tv masterpieces. https://t.co/LZ9gITa1gB
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) January 9, 2019
This blows. Your interaction with the glasses man post-argument was a hilarious and perfect analogy of us all somehow still getting along in the end. Kudos buddy.
— Matt Braunger (@Braunger) January 10, 2019
Truly a bad move from HU-the HELL do you think you are- LU. We needed and continue to need your show ?♥️?♥️
— Kate Berlant (@kateberlant) January 9, 2019
I’m sorry to hear this, Sarah. I loved your interview style and you brought out the best in your guests. ❤️
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) January 10, 2019
the first episode made me weep
— John Early (@bejohnce) January 10, 2019
this makes me mad and sad. you made a great show with a real purpose. ?❤️
— Morgan Murphy (@morgan_murphy) January 9, 2019
That is a true bummer. One of the best things to come out of the last 2 years. Plus, where's @johnwhaskell going to go? He's unhireable!!
— Seth Herzog (@Thezog) January 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/RonFunches/status/1083062251219611648
on top of everything else I really appreciate you hiring people that usually dont get those opportunities. thats a really big deal
— Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) January 9, 2019
This is bullshit, it was the smartest approach to political comedy we had.
— Guy Branum (@guybranum) January 9, 2019
Dear @hulu, you cancel @SarahKSilverman and @ilyamerica, I cancel YOU-lu. pic.twitter.com/32vey8eyCZ
— Dan Pasternack (@DanPasternack) January 9, 2019
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! This is one of the best shows out there. This isn't right. https://t.co/fdArnbsWri
— Topher Grace (@TopherGrace) January 9, 2019
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO god bless you for making this wonderful program
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) January 9, 2019
No no plz no no. @hulu https://t.co/SYTOPM1vp2
— Ellen Page (@EllenPage) January 9, 2019
Fucking outrage.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) January 9, 2019
Fingers crossed someone else picks it up.
One of the best shows in years!#EverythingILoveGetsCancelled ?— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 10, 2019
In a late-night landscape that is often cynical, snarky, or (rightfully) angry, I found @SarahKSilverman's point of view inspiring-bordering-on-revolutionary and @ilyamerica always a fascinating watch. https://t.co/7E7KuxGgHu
— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon) January 9, 2019
Hey @hulu– @SarahKSilverman 's @ilyamerica showed us humanity and humor like nothing else in our broadcast sphere. America loves you back Sarah, I love you to the moon and beyond. You make me a better person and remind all of us about our better nature. pic.twitter.com/hnzdtEJ13u
— Lizz "Executive Time" Winstead (@lizzwinstead) January 9, 2019
You need to understand that @SarahKSilverman's "I Love You America" was more than a comedy show. It was a conscious effort to make the country a better place. The loss is more than just the loss of some TV.
— Bill Prady (@billprady) January 9, 2019
Well, this is super unfortunate.
I LOVE YOU AMERICA aimed to highlight good instead of stoke anger. Like a lot of her work, I think Sarah Silverman was ahead of her time. https://t.co/jGu1NpuYSt
— Justin Kirkland (@justinkirkland4) January 9, 2019
Really sad to see "I Love You, America" canceled – @sarahksilverman did a great job https://t.co/vvXIU7d6F8 via @thedailybeast
— John Iadarola (@johniadarola) January 9, 2019
You are a goddess and I hope you are proud of everything you did on the show. We were lucky to have this and we are already lucky for whatever we get from you next…xo
— Jessica Shaw (@JessicaShaw) January 10, 2019
Oh, this is sad news! https://t.co/lC992xFaJG
— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon) January 9, 2019
This is such a bummer. Such a great show with so many good, jealousy-inducing bits https://t.co/R1OHNoD4uV
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) January 10, 2019
Wow. @hulu really got it wrong by canceling @SarahKSilverman #ILoveYouAmerica. They finally had an important, smart AND funny show on their hands, and they let it slip through their fingers.
— Scott Nevins (@ScottNevins) January 9, 2019
So sorry, Sarah. A rare short-sighted decision by a TV network, especially with a new presidential campaign approaching and the country undergoing massive change. The show would have only kept growing. Hope it finds a new home.
— Mike Scully (@scullymike) January 10, 2019
This was a transformative show to write for. ? god this team was the fuckin best. ILYA will always have a little butthole-shaped spot in my heart. https://t.co/JuHsaFyPzk
— Glenn Boozan (@boozan) January 10, 2019
Writing for I LOVE YOU AMERICA, I’d laugh so hard at work, I made myself toot. Multiple times. I’m so bummed this show is done, but proud of the work and farts everyone did. ? https://t.co/Y28YhOGqeo
— Diona Reasonover (@DionaReasonover) January 10, 2019
I really hope @SarahKSilverman gets another show elsewhere. So many women have been refused a place or pushed out in the "late night" scene. Perhaps @HBO or another network will see an opportunity here.
— Thor Benson (@thor_benson) January 9, 2019
This is such a fucking bummer but I’m so proud of what we made and our team. Mad love to @SarahKSilverman & @amyzvi for bringing me on to work on something so special. Please watch it if you haven’t. There are many, many special moments. https://t.co/Dtx1Ubs3Bo
— Gavin Purcell (@gavinpurcell) January 9, 2019
Sad news. "I Love You America" is exactly what we need more of. Keep on keeping on as a sultry force of good, Sarah. On your team. (And what a great opportunity for another outlet to pick up a funny & important show.) https://t.co/cVh0USk6Kc
— Doug Heye (@DougHeye) January 9, 2019
Favorite memory: getting to watch you and @CarlReiner make magic. It was a dream. Thank you for everything. I lurve you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ssBiqeniKm
— Rosa Pasquarella (@whatrosasaid) January 9, 2019
Hi Sarah. We don't have Hulu in Israel but we drank up every drop you shared on YouTube from the show and loved every bit of it. I hope @netflix will continue your show and makes it global. xx – your fans
— Yair Raveh (@cinemascopian) January 9, 2019