The hardest part about having a show on Netflix is getting a show on Netflix. The Internet network continues to give all of its freshman series second seasons, extending the streak with second-season renewals for Chelsea Handler’s talk show Chelsea, Pam Brady and Mitch Hurwitz’s comedy series Lady Dynamite starring Maria Bamford and Rob Schneider’s comedy mocumentary Real Rob. All shows will come back with new installments in 2017. Additionally, Netflix has picked up a second season of the upcoming music-themed kids animated series Beat Bugs.
Chelsea will return with 90 new episodes, matching the size of the talker’s current Season 1 order. The show got off to a bumpy start, and showrunner Bill Wolff exited three weeks into its run. Facing an uphill battle breaking into the very crowded comedy talk show space, Chelsea had made some strides, and Netflix is betting on further upside. Handler already has incorporated some elements of her well received Netflix documentary series Chelsea Does, which preceded Chelsea, into her talk show, including dinner parties. She will continue to do that in Season 2. Per Netflix, “Join her as she travels around the world – from Russia, Japan, and Mexico City, across the U.S. and back again, to explore the subjects that matter most to you. Chelsea features celebrities, dignitaries, and surprise guests engaging in thought-provoking, yet hilarious conversations about topics like international cultures, alternative lifestyles, education, health, sports, parenting, politics, and more.”
Season 1 of Chelsea is currently streaming three times a week and is set to produce new episodes through December. There are no plans currently for a new installment of Chelsea Does.
Lady Dynamite is a single-camera comedy series inspired by actor/comedian Maria Bamford’s life. Often refracted across multiple time periods, the series tells the story of a woman who loses- and then finds- her s**t. Bamford stars alongside Fred Melamed as Bamford’s manager and close friend Bruce Ben-Bacharach, and Mary Kay Place plays Bamford’s mother. Guest stars on the 12-episode first season included Patton Oswalt, Ana Gasteyer, Jon Cryer, Mira Sorvino, Brandon Routh, June Diane Raphael, Adam Pally, Dean Cain, Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro and Jenny Slate. Pam Brady, Mitch Hurwitz and Maria Bamford are executive producers.
Rob Schneider’s Real Rob is an exaggerated depiction of the comedian’s real life, interspersed with his standup comedy performances. Season 2 will consist of 8 episodes, same as Season 2. Schneider is producer, director and star.
“It is the dream of all artists to have the creative freedom that Netflix allows and encourages,” said Schneider. “I am grateful to have the chance to work with the amazing team at Netflix, Rodrigo Mazon and Larry Tanz. This is by far the best working experience of my career.”
Must Read Stories
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.