John Oliver Takes ABC to Task Over Doctor Odyssey Renewal

John Oliver isn’t one to shy away from expressing his opinions, especially when it comes to television. In the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, he passionately criticized ABC for its failure to renew the series Doctor Odyssey for a second season, and the internet is buzzing.

The Plea for Doctor Odyssey

During Sunday’s episode, Oliver didn’t hold back as he addressed the network’s sluggish approach to Doctor Odyssey, a show from Ryan Murphy that features Joshua Jackson as “Doctor Hot Boat.” With a clever mix of humor and frustration, Oliver emphasized the absurdity of ABC keeping viewers in suspense about the show’s future.

“ABC should be embarrassed… for the fact that, as of this taping, they still haven’t renewed Doctor Odyssey for Season 2,” Oliver said. He went on to describe the show as “sexy ER on a boat” and quipped about its memorable tagline of “big deck energy.” The late-night host’s tone was unwavering as he called out the network, demanding, “What the f–k are you doing, ABC?”

What’s the Hype About?

For those unfamiliar, Doctor Odyssey broke ground with its unique premise—a throuple of charismatic characters facing unexpected medical dilemmas on the high seas. Oliver showcased a scene from the pilot where this trio races to aid a cruiser dealing with a rather unfortunate medical issue, emphasizing the show’s boldness.

“But how is ABC renewing shows like The Rookie and Will Trent… but not the only show brave enough to answer the question, ‘What if sick, but boat?’” he fumed. This rhetorical question struck a chord with viewers, highlighting the seemingly mundane nature of other network programming in stark contrast.

Despite the show averaging 4.8 million viewers in its first season—comparable to ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy—its renewal remains uncertain. Critics argue that Doctor Odyssey offers a refreshing change from the formulaic narratives prevalent in contemporary medical dramas.

The Status of Doctor Odyssey

As the season finale approaches, fans are still left hanging regarding the show’s fate. Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich shared insights on the ongoing discussions about the series, but no decision had been made by the time the latest episode aired. “Doctor Odyssey is not on our schedule currently,” Erwich remarked. However, he stressed they were in talks with Ryan Murphy about the potential next chapter.

Considering the current television landscape, where medical dramas have a long-standing history of capturing audiences, there’s a significant following rooting for Doctor Odyssey to return. It sits at the crossroads of innovative storytelling and striking content, making its fate a crucial topic among viewers.

Conclusion: ABC’s Dilemma

As it stands, ABC faces substantial pressure to make a decision regarding Doctor Odyssey. John Oliver’s fervent defense of the show underscores a broader sentiment within the viewing public, advocating for originality and creativity over repetition. Whether ABC will heed Oliver’s call remains to be seen.

For those intrigued by the chaos of medical dramas, stay updated and consider the context of Oliver’s commentary by checking out other medical TV shows that are making waves this season. You can always revisit his rants for a good laugh and to gauge the current opinions on Last Week Tonight.

Watch John Oliver’s passionate plea about Doctor Odyssey, and feel free to share your thoughts on the situation in the comments below!

Explore more about Doctor Odyssey here.
Discover John Oliver’s past segments on Last Week Tonight.
Check out other trending medical dramas.