HBO in January canceled showbiz comedy series The Franchise after one season. The superhero movie satire from creator/executive producer Jon Brown had Oscar winner Sam Mendes and Emmy-winning frequent HBO collaborator Armando Iannucci as executive producers.
Despite its great pedigree, The Franchise did not attract large enough audience, leading to the cancellation. Was it because of its inside-Hollywood setup that the show didn’t really connect?
“I’m not sure. I’m really proud of that show, and I think Jon is such a strong comedic voice as a writer,” HBO’s head of comedy Amy Gravitt told Deadline during an interview about the network’s upcoming slate at The Righteous Gemstones Season 4 premiere. “Obviously, we had Armando involved and Sam involved, and we took a shot with it, and it didn’t necessarily connect in the way I thought it would and it did for me personally. But I look at the writing, it’s genuinely hilarious, and that’s why we take shots.”
The disconnect is not specific to The Franchise. While Hollywood produces the hit series viewers love to watch, its inner workings are rarely compelling enough for those not associated with the industry.
Before The Franchise, Iannucci created and executive produced HBO’s most acclaimed comedy series to date, Veep, which ran for seven seasons, as well as sci-fi comedy Avenue 5, which ran for two. Would Gravitt do another show with him?
“Always, always, yes,” she said.
The eight-episode Season 1 of The Franchise followed the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein and Isaac Powell starred, with Richard E. Grant and Daniel Brühl among the recurring cast.
