TLC Explains Why It Pulled Failed Reality Show Starter Wives Confidential: The Poor Ratings
TLC’s Starter Wives: Confidential is a reductive version of VH1′s Hollywood Exes, but with less-glamorous and less-interesting women.
The premiere and episode two basically consisted of artificial conversations held between virtual strangers thrust together by producers, and random parties also attended by people with no rapport. It was boring and pretty pointless. Moreover, it was somewhat bitter and spiteful; intended to put men on blast, it’s the women who cannot move on sometimes years later. And yet TLC seems surprised that no one was watching. Surprised enough to pull the plug and only elucidate by email why the series was pulled.
TLC’s failed reality show Starter Wives Confidential, featuring the exes of 50 Cent, Lamar Odom, DMX, and Funkmaster Flex, was pulled off the air only because the ratings sucked despite speculations otherwise.
You’ll recall, the reality show was cancelled a few days after its Jan. 29 debut. Many believed it was due to a slew of problems plaguing the show including 50 Cent’s outspoken dislike of his ex’s participation.
Even one of the stars, Monica Joseph-Taylor (Flex’s ex) was confused by the sudden purge, writing on her blog, “Is it ratings? Is it a change in network direction…or all the outside drama?!”
TMZ obtained a letter written from the network to the cast members [that] sets the record straight.
The letter states, “Unfortunately, due to the low ratings, the remaining episodes will not air on TLC, but will be viewable on TLC.com. The decision by TLC isn’t personal, although I know it is to you all, and for that we are very sorry. You ladies gave your all to the show and everyone at TLC is very disappointed that the viewers didn’t take this ride with us.” – via TMZ.
Prior to the statement, 50 Cent took credit for getting the show pulled tweeting, “I want to apologize to the cast of Starter Wives for having the show pulled off the network. I sincerely hope you find work. The show was trash, angry ex girls that had a sense of entitlement that can’t be met. Come on, I didn’t like it so it’s off.”