In the ever-changing landscape of television production, one thing remains constant—the dreaded Friday night slot where shows go to meet their demise. Unfortunately, the latest addition to this unfortunate tradition is Up Here, Hulu’s rom-com musical series that captured hearts for a single season before bidding farewell.
Up Here revolved around the endearing duo played by the talented Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes, whose potential for romance was consistently thwarted by their inner demons personified by co-stars Katie Finneran, John Hodgman, Andréa Burns, Sophia Hammons, Scott Porter, and Emilia Suárez. Music played a significant role in the show, which added a touch of quirkiness to its already unique setting—the year 1999.
Developed by Tony winner Steven Levenson, alongside Tony and Oscar winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, with directorial contributions from Hamilton’s Thomas Kail, Up Here undeniably boasted a strong creative team. Mae Whitman’s captivating presence further elevated the series. However, despite these promising elements, the show faced criticism in its storytelling and songwriting, as pointed out in our own review.
The mystery of the show’s ratings lingers, as Hulu chooses to keep this information under wraps, sparking curiosity and speculation among fans and industry insiders. The lack of transparency surrounding viewership ratings has been a contentious issue in the entertainment world.
Regrettably, it seems these factors were not in Up Here‘s favor, as the series received the unfortunate news of its cancellation after just one season comprising eight episodes. All the episodes were released for binge-watching on March 23, but the show’s future on the streamer remains intact for the foreseeable future, according to THR. While it may be a consolation for fans, bidding farewell to this charming musical comedy remains bittersweet in the annals of television history.
