‘The Jeselnik Offensive’ Canceled By Comedy Central
The Jeselnik Offensive has been canceled after two seasons.
Comedy Central confirmed Monday that the panel show would not be returning for a third season, just days after host Anthony Jeselnik completed a network-sponsored tour.
During a Q&A after the New York Comedy Festival, Jeselnik said he had no future plans with Comedy Central.
Anthony Jeselnik signed a two-year development deal with Comedy Central to star in and executive produce the series in 2011.
The Jeselnik Offensive premiered February 19 with panelists Aziz Ansari and Amy Schumer. The monologue referenced the Christopher Dorner manhunt, Storage Wars‘ star Mark Balelo’s suicide, and Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation. The episode drew 1.363 million viewers. Viewership dipped to 0.88 million viewers by April 23 season finale, but Comedy Central renewed the series for a second run three days later.
The second season premiered July 9, with Amy Schumer returning as a panelist with Jim Norton. That episode drew 0.655 million viewers, but subsequent episodes failed to perform better, especially among the key adults 18-49 demographic.
Prior to hosting The Jeselnik Offensive, Anthony Jeselnik was a writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He performed in the 2011 Roast of Donald Trump, and went on to perform in the roasts of Charlie Sheen and Roseanne Barr. The 34-year-old Pittsburgh native appeared in his first standup special, Caligula, earlier this year.
Comedy Central’s newest late-night entry, @Midnight, premiered October 21 to 801,000 viewers. The panel/game show, which is hosted by Talking Dead‘s Chris Hardwick, finished behind only The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report among adults 18-49. Panelists have included Natasha Leggero, Doug Benson, Deon Cole, and Patton Oswalt. Tuesday night’s episode featured director and producer Judd Apatow, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues star David Koechner, and comedian Nikki Glaser.
@Midnight is produced by Funny or Die, the comedy website founded Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s production company, Gary Sanchez Productions. Drunk History, which is based on the Funny or Die web series created by Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner in 2007, was picked up in January and renewed for a second season last month.
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