Why Pete Davidson walked away from his own hit show after one season

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Bupkis, the comedy-drama starring Pete Davidson, was a critical success that earned a swift renewal from Peacock. Yet, despite the show's positive reception and a star-studded cast, Davidson abruptly cancelled the project in 2024. This decision highlights the complex, often volatile nature of modern television production and creative control.

Created by Pete Davidson alongside Judah Miller and Dave Sirus, Bupkis was designed as a heightened, fictionalized exploration of the comedian's own life. The series, which premiered on May 4, 2023, drew immediate comparisons to established genre benchmarks like Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm and Louis C.K.'s Louie. By blending reality with absurdity, the show aimed to capture the specific, chaotic energy of Davidson's public persona.

The production was marked by significant industry buzz, particularly regarding its casting. The show featured Edie Falco as Davidson's mother and Joe Pesci as his grandfather—a rare television appearance for the legendary actor, marking his first starring role in the medium since 1985's Half Nelson. Filming primarily took place in New York, and the project even included unexpected cameos, such as David Howard Thornton appearing as Art the Clown.

Despite a solid critical performance—garnering a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 67/100 score on Metacritic—the series' future was short-lived. Peacock officially renewed the show for a second season in June 2023. However, in a surprising turn of events, Davidson announced in March 2024 that he would not proceed with the second season. This abrupt conclusion leaves the series as a singular, eight-episode experiment, illustrating how even well-received creative projects can be halted by the personal choices of their creators.

The show's legacy remains tied to its unique blend of autobiography and fiction. While critics noted that the premise felt somewhat recycled, the strength of the supporting cast and the show's underlying depth helped it transcend its title. Ultimately, Bupkis stands as a snapshot of a specific moment in Davidson's career, demonstrating the tension between the demands of a streaming platform and the artistic autonomy of its lead.

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