Paramount+ Pulls the Plug on ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ in a Shocking Move

Trevor Decker

Published

June 23, 2023

NOTE: This article is 10 months old and may not include the most recent information.

In a move that has left fans and creators reeling, Paramount+ announced the cancellation of the much-anticipated show ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’. The streaming service, which is a part of Paramount Global, revealed that the prequel series to the 1978 classic film ‘Grease’ has been axed shortly after its finale aired on June 1. Adding salt to the wound, Paramount+ also declared that the first season will be removed from the platform next week.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ is not the only casualty. Other shows including ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’, ‘Queen of the Universe’, and the revival of ‘The Game’ are also facing the axe.

Annabel Oakes, the creator of ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’, did not hold back in expressing her dismay. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Oakes confirmed that the show will not be returning. She described the removal from Paramount+ as “a particularly brutal move” and lamented the “complete erasure of our show”. Oakes, along with the cast and her creative partners, are devastated.

In her message, Oakes also extended her gratitude to the fans, assuring them that the show’s music will continue to live on despite the removal. She expressed her love for the fan art, TikToks, and even the wild fan fiction and ships that have emerged. Her parting wish was for fans to watch the show before it is taken down.

This development is part of a larger trend in the streaming industry, where platforms are eliminating projects due to financial motivations. For instance, Disney recently took a $1.5 billion tax write-down after dropping more than 70 titles from Disney+ and Hulu. Similarly, Warner Bros. Discovery entered into licensing deals with free, ad-supported channels for previously dropped shows like ‘Westworld’ and ‘Raised by Wolves’.

As fans and creators alike grapple with the news, questions are being raised about the future of content on streaming platforms and the financial motivations behind such decisions.