HBO Max Cancels We’re Here…Why???

HBO Max Cancels We're Here...Why???

Well, it's official! HBO Max has canceled the drag queen-powered reality TV show We're Here after four seasons. The show was a critical and audience favorite, garnering more than a handful of awards. This last season, the show shook things up by changing the cast to Sasha Velour, Jaida Essence Hall, Priyanka, and Latrice Royale. Apparently, that was the last season we are going to get.

 

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The show premiered in 2020 with a six-episode run featuring Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela, and Eureka O'Hara as they brought the drag fabulosity to small towns across the US, speaking messages of inclusion, equality, and bridge-building. They would work with residents of these small towns to put on a drag show, incorporating gay and straight to dispel myths about being gay, doing drag, and being able to work together. Some of the real-life stories of these small-town citizens were heartbreaking, some were hilarious, and all were heartwarming.

Unfortunately, season 1 ran smack dab into the COVID and the cast had to finish up the show via Zoom. This didn't stop We're Here for being extremely well received, much like the attention that Queer Eye got when it first appeared. These three lead queens had great chemistry, were very different from each other, and each brought their own humor and texture to the show. The show was quickly renewed for two subsequent seasons.

For awards, We're Here has received two recent Emmy nominations, four previous Emmy wins, a Peabody Award, a Critics Choice Real TV and LGBTQ Award, Television Academy Honors, and three GLAAD Media Awards. Not too shabby! With the popularity and growth of Drag Race, this seems like a perfect complement to the growing love of drag. Why was it canceled? HBO told Out, "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." So, not really a reason. Was it ratings? What gives? HBO Max also has removed episodes of Legendary, the queer ball-centric show, from its library.

It couldn't be that they ran out of small towns to visit, we know there are tons of places that We're Here can still go to. Is it the current political and social climate towards drag that has caused an issue for the show? To be honest, the new cast didn't have the same energy and chemistry that the first did, but it was still a good and important show. And why did the show make a huge casting change? It could be because of the busy schedules of the queens, it could also have to do with the many sexual allegations made against Shangela. In any case, we have seen the last of We're Here without a grand finale.

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