Streaming giant Hulu announced the end of Love Overboard, the yacht‑set romance competition executive produced by Alex Cooper, host of the popular podcast Call Her Daddy. The decision, first reported by Page Six on August 31 and later confirmed by Disney, follows a single nine‑episode season that failed to attract a sustainable audience. An industry source told the outlet that the show “simply wasn’t finding an audience,” leading Hulu to pull the plug after its March 26 debut.
Show Premise and Format
Love Overboard placed 22 contestants aboard a luxury yacht where they vied for romantic connections and exclusive access to high‑end amenities such as spa treatments, gourmet dining, and private suites. The series was hosted by Gabby Windey, known from The Bachelorette and The Traitors. Each week, couples faced challenges designed to test compatibility, while viewers voted online to influence eliminations. The ultimate winners, Gia Aldisert and Tim Demirjian, walked away with a $100,000 global trip.
Reception and Ratings
Despite a vigorous social‑media push at launch—complete with teaser clips, behind‑the‑scenes reels, and influencer partnerships—the series never matched the cultural impact of other Hulu unscripted hits like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, The Kardashians, or Vanderpump Villa. Nielsen‑style streaming metrics indicated modest viewership that dwindled week over week, falling short of the thresholds Hulu typically uses to greenlight a second season. Critics noted the premise felt familiar, and the yacht setting, while visually appealing, did not differentiate the show enough to retain a loyal fanbase.
Production Details
The series emerged from a collaboration between Cooper’s Unwell Productions, Jeff Jenkins Productions, 3BMG, and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Executive producers included Alex Cooper, her husband and business partner Matt Kaplan, and Unwell’s Mina Lefevre. Additional producers credited were Jeff Jenkins, Russell Jay‑Staglik, and Jason Ehrlich from Jeff Jenkins Productions, plus Ross Weintraub and Reinout Oerlemans from 3BMG. The show marked Cooper’s inaugural foray into unscripted television, expanding her portfolio beyond podcasting and into visual storytelling.
Unwell’s Broader Business Landscape
The cancellation arrives amid a turbulent period for Cooper’s Unwell enterprise. Her beverage line, Unwell Beverage Co., is scaling back production after less than two years on retail shelves. Nevertheless, Cooper’s television ambitions remain robust. Unwell recently debuted the dating game show Let’s Marry Harry with Harry Jowsey on Netflix and is preparing Unwell Summer Games for YouTube, slated for September 7 following an earlier Winter Games installment. These projects indicate a strategic pivot toward diverse digital formats while the company evaluates its next steps in the streaming arena.
Future Projects and Hulu Relationship
Despite the setback, Cooper’s partnership with Hulu appears intact. She is developing a scripted series titled You Deserve to Know, starring Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley—both alumni of The Vampire Diaries. The continued collaboration suggests Hulu values Cooper’s creative voice and is willing to explore scripted ventures with her production house, even as it reassesses its unscripted lineup.
What Next?
Hulu’s decision to end “Love Overboard” after one season underscores the challenges of launching new reality formats in a crowded streaming market. While the show failed to capture sufficient viewership, Alex Cooper’s broader creative pursuits—spanning podcasts, beverage brands, game shows, and scripted development—demonstrate a resilient entrepreneurial spirit. Fans of Cooper can anticipate upcoming projects across multiple platforms, and industry watchers will keep an eye on how her evolving portfolio shapes future content strategies.
Also Read:
Everything to Know About the Premiere of “Love Overboard” on Hulu
