Networks typically cancel reality shows for two reasons: low ratings and controversy. Or both.
So it”s no surprise that NBC would fire Donald Trump from “Celebrity Apprentice” and cut all ties with him after the business mogul made derogatory remarks about Mexican immigrants when announcing his 2016 run for president. “They”re bringing drugs, they”re bringing crime, they”re rapists,” the billionaire said in mid-June adding, “some, I assume, are good people.”
Trump is not the first reality star to lose his show due to controversial words or deeds. If he”d asked Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, CeeLo Green or even Jon and Kate Gosselin how they lost their shows, they would”ve peppered him with cautionary advice.
Don”t make hateful comments in public or private: The Donald could”ve benefitted from this advice from twins David and Jason Benham. HGTV canceled the pilot for their show “Flip it Forward” in May 2014 once homophobic and sexist comments from the brothers were made public. Duane “Dog” Chapman also lost his show “Dog the Bounty Hunter” in 2008 when one of his son”s recorded him using the N-word during a phone conversation.
Choose friends wisely: TLC didn”t cancel “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” because of anything its star Alana Honey Boo Boo” Thompson did. Instead it was because her mother June Shannon reportedly started dating convicted child molester Mark McDaniel. Not long after the cancellation, Shannon”s eldest daughter Anna Cardwell alleged that McDaniel sexually assaulted her as a child.
If the show is about your marriage, stay married: Blame it on infidelity or media scrutiny but when Jon and Kate Gosselin”s 10-year marriage came to an end, TLC canceled “Jon & Kate Plus 8” and renamed the series “Kate Plus 8.” The latter lasted two years until TLC pulled the plug in 2011.
Don”t tweet glibly about rape; especially if you once faced rape charges: A year after Los Angeles County prosecutors decided not to charge CeeLo Green with sexual assault, the “Crazy” singer and former “Voice” judge felt the urge to offend people and tweet about his definition of rape. Green faced charges after he allegedly slipped Ecstasy into his date”s drink in 2012 but prosecutors didn”t pursue the case due to a lack of evidence. One tweet, which he posted over Labor Day weekend 2014 read, “women who have really been raped REMEMBER!!!” In another, he tweeted: “It”s not rape if the person is passed out.” By that Tuesday, the women”s rights group UltraViolet petitioned TBS to get rid of Green”s reality show “The Good Life” and later that day, executives canceled the series” second season citing low ratings.
The show can”t go on if the breakout star dies tragically: MTV”s hit reality series “Buckwild” followed the entertaining lives of nine young West Virginians. Sadly, the show didn”t make it to a second season. MTV canceled it following the tragic and accidental carbon monoxide poisoning death of “Buckwild” breakout star Shain Gandee. His uncle and friend also died in the off-roading accident after their SUV was submerged in deep mud. Gandee was 21 years old.
If a show is about your friendship, remain friends: When reporters ask Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton if they are still friends these days, the pair have nothing but glowing things to say about each other. This of course was not the case back in 2007 when Fox canceled their reality show after the two couldn”t see eye to eye. Prior to the falling out, “The Simple Life” lasted three successful seasons.
A domestic abuse arrest is a game changer: On the VH1 series “Basketball Wives,” Chad Ochocinco and Evelyn Lozada”s courtship was such a ratings draw that the two landed a spinoff called “Ev and Ocho.” The couple was married in July 2012. A month later Ochocinco, who has since changed his last name back to Johnson, was arrested for allegedly head butting Lozada and causing a three-inch gash on her head. A day later, the Miami Dolphins released Johnson from his contract and soon after, VH1 canceled “Ev and Ocho.” The couple divorced in September 2012.