Interview · moment 14 of 19
Learning the Drums and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll Getting Cancelled
from Bully Queen (With Robert Kelly) · #22
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
3 minGuest
Bobby talks about learning real drums for the show, the show getting canceled despite FX's efforts, and how it's nobody's fault — just brutal competition from hundreds of TV shows now including CW's superhero lineup.
- 42:06Tim learned drums at 45 years old for the Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll pilot—not a fake instrument, actual drums.
- 42:31The show got canceled despite the network doing everything to make people watch it.
- 42:57The cycle of pilot rejection and pickup—once picked up, you're relieved, then 12-16 hour days for three months of shooting.
- 43:43After wrapping, the promotion phase kicks in: first-class flights, red carpets, interviews, recognition.
- 44:18First season numbers climbed and the show got renewed, but year two faced major obstacles.
- 44:37Summer viewing habits kill Thursday night TV numbers; people want to be outside, not watching on gorgeous nights.
- 44:53Television landscape changed completely—400 shows on air now versus 35 or 36 back then, and viewers DVR instead of watching live.
- 45:04The CW alone runs five superhero shows: Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, and others that moved networks when canceled elsewhere.
- 45:16Netflix has another 10 superhero shows on top of the broadcast network glut.
The ApostleSex Drugs