I have seen enough snippets and scenes from this title to know that it had an impact and to back that up is a cache of awards affirming that relevance. So, to hear that WE’RE HERE was concluding with the fourth season, which wrapped up in May of this year, was a surprise. No actual reasoning has been cited for the show being shuttered but it could be due to a few factors. We take a moment to break that down.
Could it be simply that the ratings were down? Though HBO does not always advertise its numbers, that doesn’t mean WBD CEO David Zaslav and the company don’t keep track of them. If the show took a huge dip in viewership in the fourth season the powers that be wouldn’t bat an eye on cutting it loose, even if is an acclaimed show. They do it all the time, and some say, Zaslav has done it quite freely. Even highly relevant shows, if they don’t reach/interest enough mainstream viewers are going to fall away. Those business numbers alone are a big factor towards cancellation.
But other factors weigh in here as well. Regarding WE’RE HERE, you have to consider the risk factors involved. By season four the political scene and the societal temperments had made it extremely difficult for drag personas to strut their emboldened attitude and display their uniqueness. We’ve expounded on this before in our news about the show. By the third season, a lot more heated tensions were on display raising the notion that the drag entourage was not welcomed in the cities they chose to highlight. The majority of season four seemed to be focused on the political area more than the lives of the Pride community itself. More time was focused on the troupe even being able to obtain the right to perform in the cities featured. Now this is all commentary that should be addressed and heard, but it far removes the show from its original intent.
The drag hosts of season four, Jaida Essence Hall, Priyanka, Sasha Velour, and Latrice Royale must have felt the pressure & heard the threats and it must have taken its toll because the four swapped out screen-time because of it. Perhaps the show shuttered partly because the safety of the production was called into question. Perhaps these hosts were not eager to jeopardize their safety, even for the cause. The volatile situations going into conservative environs opposed to any LGBTQ presence may have caused the show to back off.
The final factor that could have resulted in the show’s demise is that the showrunners were forced to change things up drastically enough to turn audiences away. In announcing the new cast of the final season, we touched on the reasons behind why Bob The Drag Queen, Shangela, and Eureka O’Hara departed. The difficulty of fitting in new hosts, and dealing with boiling tensions for the TV production crew to even get permits to roll in and stage their drag shows all factored in causing the show to crumble. The LGBTQ community was there to do its part in each city, but the scrambling show just couldn’t easily accomplish its intended agenda easily & safely enough. Well, that’s how I see it. A shame really and a strong look at the condition of many of our cities regarding that human rights issue.
So, WE’RE HERE struts off. HBO issued the following statement:
“We are honored to have brought four heartfelt and impactful seasons of We’re Here to viewers around the world, amidst ongoing hostility directed at drag performers and aggression towards the LGBTQ+ community at large. The two recent Emmy nominations, along with four previous Emmy wins, a Peabody Award, a Critics Choice Real TV and LGBTQ Award, Television Academy Honors and three GLAAD Media Awards, fill us with enormous pride. After bringing the show to over 20 towns across America, the series’ journey has come to an end, with the fourth season being its final. We thank Johnnie Ingram, Steve Warren, Peter LoGreco, all of our fabulous queens and crew for proving countless times that love is stronger than hate.”
Co-creators and Executive Producers Johnnie Ingram and Stephen Warren said,
“Although the current run of our show has ended, We’re Here’s message of love and acceptance has already made a lasting impact for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across the country. Creating We’re Here was a dream come true and our hearts are overflowing with love. We are grateful to HBO for giving us this opportunity, to our fierce drag mothers and drag community, to our production team at IPC, and to all those that shared their hearts and stories with us,” they continued. “It took a lot of courage, sequins and sweat to make We’re Here, and we are so proud to leave behind four Peabody, Critics Choice, GLAAD and Television Academy award winning seasons that are wildly entertaining, enlightening and give hope to anyone struggling to live their truth.”
Love is stronger than hate and yet that hate just killed this show! WE’RE HERE was not for everyone but it was a strong show that was sorely needed by the community it tried to give voice to. Find it now on the HBO Hub on Max.
