NBC has officially announced the cancellation of the satirical workplace comedy series, “American Auto,” after its second season. The show, created by Justin Spitzer of “Superstore” fame, revolved around the corporate headquarters of Payne Motors, a Detroit-based automotive company. Despite a dedicated ensemble cast and creative team, “American Auto” failed to meet expectations in terms of viewership and ratings, leading to its discontinuation.
Overview of “American Auto”:
“American Auto” followed the story of Katherine Hastings (played by Ana Gasteyer), the former pharmaceutical CEO who took charge of Payne Motors. The sitcom explored the humorous dynamics and challenges faced by the employees working in the corporate setting. The main cast included Harriet Dyer as CCO Sadie Ryan, Jon Barinholtz as Wesley Payne, Humphrey Ker as General Counsel Elliot Chisholm, Michael B. Washington as Chief Product Designer Cyrus Knight, Tye White as assembly line worker-turned-executive suit Jack Fortin, and X Mayo as Katherine’s assistant Dori Ovens.
Cancellation Details and Audience Reception:
Following the show’s second season, “American Auto” experienced a decline in viewership and ratings compared to its debut season. With an average of 2.3 million total viewers and a 0.3 demo rating (Live+7 playback), the sitcom saw a decrease of 15% and 40%, respectively. Among the five sitcoms aired by NBC during the TV season, “American Auto” ranked third in terms of audience size and tied for third in the demo. Ultimately, these numbers led to the network’s decision to cancel the show, alongside other comedies like “Grand Crew” and “Young Rock.”
Creator’s Perspective and Future Projects:
Justin Spitzer expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to create “American Auto” and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the creative team, writers, crew, and ensemble cast. Star Ana Gasteyer also shared her sentiments about the cancellation, expressing her love for the experience and the people involved in the show. While “American Auto” faced an unfortunate end, Spitzer recently received a series order from NBC for “St. Denis Medical,” a mockumentary-style comedy featuring Wendi McLendon-Covey and David Alan Grier.
Conclusion:
Despite its promising premise and talented cast, “American Auto” could not sustain its viewership and ratings, resulting in its cancellation by NBC after two seasons. The show provided a satirical take on the corporate world, with Ana Gasteyer leading the ensemble cast. Fans of the show expressed disappointment over its discontinuation. However, creator Justin Spitzer continues to pursue new projects, including the upcoming comedy series “St. Denis Medical.” Although “American Auto” has come to an end, its unique brand of workplace humor will be remembered by those who enjoyed the show’s brief run.
