The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Radio TV Talk is reporting that TLC has cancelled Tyler Perry drama Too Close to Home after two seasons, with the actors having been free to pursue other projects since September.
While the move isn’t a surprise considering that it’s been nearly nine months since a new episode has aired, it’s clearly for reasons other than performance, as Too Close to Home‘s ratings rose over 60% in its second season. What’s more likely to be the culprit here is Perry’s recently signed exclusivity deal with Viacom, which has the writer/producer/director producing new content for BET. Though the deal, described as being similar to the one he signed with OWN in 2012 that’s resulted in over 500 episodes of scripted content, doesn’t kick in officially until 2019, it’s possible that both Perry and TLC wanted to move on ahead of time.
The loss of its only scripted series leaves TLC in the same boat as the likes of A&E, VH1, and MTV as networks retreating from scripted television after feeling the pressure of Peak TV. Even networks still remaining in the scripted business, such as Bravo and TV Land, have scaled back their development/presence in the wake of corporate restructuring and softer ratings. With increased DVR and SVOD penetration, as well as more outlets than ever producing content, it’s become tougher for scripted shows to break through the clutter and generate strong enough ratings/buzz to support themselves, but we’ve still yet to see any reduction in the number of scripted shows produced per year.
From the ever-prolific Perry (If Loving You is Wrong, The Haves and the Have Nots), Too Close to Home followed Annie Belle Hayes (Danielle Savre), a woman who managed to leave her troubled past in Alabama behind and land a position working at the White House. However, once her affair with married President Thomas (Matt Battaglia) becomes public knowledge, Annie returns to her hometown to hide from the smothering media coverage and confronts the life she left behind, including her two sisters and former boyfriend.
In addition to Savre and Battaglia, Too Close to Home starred Brock O’Hurn (Boo! A Madea Halloween), Kelly Sullivan (The Young and the Restless), Brad Benedict (Letters to God), Ashley Love-Mills (Nashville), Nick Ballard (Holliston), Charles Justo (Trust No 1), and Heather Locklear (Melrose Place).
The series finale of Too Close to Home aired this past February.
