Abrams' 'Duster' Binned After One Season: HBO Says 'We're Proud,' Gamers Say 'Huh?'
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
HBO canned J.J. Abrams' 'Duster' despite good reviews, leaving everyone scratching their heads and wondering if even a Lost alum can save a show from streaming obscurity. Maybe it'll get a Web3 reboot where fans control the plot... or maybe that's just wishful thinking.
Right, so HBO's decided to pull the plug on J.J. Abrams' 'Duster' after just one season. Yeah, the one starring Josh Holloway (Sawyer from *Lost*! Remember shouting at the telly during those polar bear episodes?). Seems a bit harsh, doesn't it? According to IGN South Africa, where this news originally broke, the show was actually doing pretty well critically, scoring a solid 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences weren't hating it either, with an 83% rating. So what gives?
Well, apparently, it just wasn't pulling in the viewers. Which, let's be honest, in this age of infinite streaming options, is a bloody tough gig. You could have the most mind-bending plot twists since *Metal Gear Solid 2* and still get lost in the algorithm. (And yes, I know that's a *game* reference, but the principle is the same! Trying to get noticed is tough.)
HBO, in a statement that sounds suspiciously like they’re trying to put a positive spin on things (and aren't we all?), said they were "tremendously proud" of the series. Fair enough, I reckon. Making *anything* these days is a Herculean effort, especially something that gets through the studio gauntlet. Abrams himself, fresh off, shall we say, *divisive* Star Wars sequels, and co-showrunner LaToya Morgan clearly poured their hearts into it. Holloway even mentioned to *The Hollywood Reporter* that he took a break from acting because of a lack of opportunities, so this was a big comeback for him. Ouch.
'Duster,' for those who missed it (and, apparently, quite a few did), followed a getaway driver navigating a crime syndicate. Think stylish 70s crime drama with a dash of... well, probably some Abrams-esque mystery boxes. (He does love a good mystery box, doesn't he? Though, sometimes those boxes are just empty... like pre-alpha roadmaps, am I right?).
But hey, who knows? Maybe 'Duster' will find a second life somewhere else. Stranger things have happened (especially if you've ever tried porting a PS2 game to PC). Maybe a Web3 platform will pick it up and let viewers decide the plot! (Okay, maybe that's a *bit* too far-fetched, even for me). Still, I'm holding out hope that someone will recognize the value of this show and give it a second chance. In the meantime, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Abrams cooks up next. And hope it doesn't involve any more midi-chlorians.
Tags: television, jj abrams, hbo, duster, josh holloway
Original article: IGN South Africa