“Ridiculousness” was canceled by MTV in 2014 after 46 seasons.
The comedy clip series, hosted by Rob Dyrdek, will continue until 2026 with previously filmed premiere episodes, but no new episodes will be produced. Season 46 will be the series’ finale, as reruns will continue to air on MTV and some seasons will stream on Paramount+.
The cancellation comes as MTV (a Paramount company) seeks to “embrace its experimental DNA” and feature “more curated content” that represents “different creative voices” and “refreshed programming,” according to a person familiar with the decision.
It’s unclear what this means, including whether this is a sign that MTV is moving away from an overreliance on “ridiculousness” in its programming schedule.
With over 1,700 episodes, “Ridiculousness” is one of the longest-running series in MTV history. Reruns have long dominated MTV’s linear programming, as it has pulled away from original content and eliminated all remaining music-focused programming. As Variety reported in 2020, the series accounts for 113 hours (or more) of the station’s 168-hour lineup each week. For many, the show became a symbol of MTV’s zombification and lack of original programming.
The day before news of the cancellation broke, Bloomberg reported that MTV was paying Mr. Dyrdek, a former professional skateboarder, at least $32.5 million a year, according to court documents reviewed by Bloomberg. That salary includes a bonus, an executive producer’s fee of $21,000 per episode, and an on-camera fee of $61,000 per episode, according to Bloomberg. (These fees add up when networks order hundreds of new episodes a year.)
“Ridiculousness” debuted in August 2011 and was co-hosted by Chanel West Coast and Lauren “Lolo” Wood. The series features viral videos of failed stunts and “Jackass”-style pranks by Dyrdek and others. Offers comedic analysis and mockery.
Eliminating “silliness” would mean significant cuts for the network as Paramount rebrands after its $8 billion merger with David Ellison’s Skydance.
TMZ broke the news.
