Was ‘Kocktails With Khloe’ Shut Down Due To ‘Chaos’?
Khloe Kardashian’s Kocktails with Khloe has been canceled by cable network FYI less than three months since it debuted. The show was getting decent enough ratings for the network to order 15 more episodes back in February, so why is production shutting down with only 14 episodes in the can?
According to Page Six, Kocktails with Khloe was canceled because of behind-the-scenes chaos. The 31-year-old reality star was not very popular with the staff, and wasn’t used to not being able to call the shots. In addition to personality conflicts, TMZ reported earlier this week that a shoot for Kocktails with Khloe was canceled because she was worried about Lamar Odom, her troubled husband.
“It was chaos. Nobody agreed with anybody else about what it should be or what direction it should be going.”
Khloe confirmed that Kocktails with Khloe was canceled via social media.
And to all of my guests who made this such a fun experience. April 20 will be the final episode. But we’re going out with a bang! ?
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) April 6, 2016
Although the critics didn’t have great things to say about the production, the niche audience that the network cultivated did. Kocktails with Khloe featured signature cocktails, Khloe’s social circle, and a dinner party atmosphere and was getting decent ratings. Originally slotted for eight episodes, the show’s January 10 debut was the highest-rated series premiere in the network’s history. Khloe Kardashian’s featured guests were frequently reality show celebrities like Brandi Glanville and family members such as her sisters Kylie and Kendall Jenner, but her program also attracted the likes of Snoop Dog, Tisha Campbell, T-Pain, and Travis Barker.
FYI was previously the Bio Channel, part of the A&E network, but was relaunched as FYI to target millennials and upscale adults in the 25-54 age range. FYI’s senior vice president of programming and development Gena McCarthy praised the social media star in an interview with Variety.
My fab guests are @jeanniemai @TaRhondajay @iamcardib @jamesmaslow @TishaCampblMrtn #kocktailswithkhloe pic.twitter.com/L1pUXEeENG
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) April 7, 2016
“Khloé and her iconic brand have struck a chord with FYI viewers, who have been extremely interactive with the show on social media. Her ability to draw upscale millennial viewers across all our platforms in record numbers is a game changer for FYI.”
Since the rebrand took hold in 2014, the channel has experienced consistent ratings and the network seemed happy that upscale adults embraced Khloe Kardashian. It averages 24 percent more viewers than the show that was in her time slot this time last year. Online, it has the most views of any show in its history. Nevertheless, FYI released this statement along with its partner Pilgrim Media Group.
“FYI and Pilgrim Media Group appreciate everyone’s great work on the series and are pleased that the show brought new viewers and significant numbers to FYI’s linear and digital platforms. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Khloé and thank her for her hard work and unique voice that she brought to the series.”
Khloe will go on to focus on her other projects and her fans can still interact with her on her weekly chats. The final episode will air on April 20 with crooner John legend, his wife Lip Sync Battle hostess Chrissy Teigen, her brother-in-law Kanye West, and sister Kim Kardashian as her final guests.
[Photo by Richard Shotwell/AP Images]
