The emmy winning HBO comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show will end its historic run after four seasons. The show, which viewed the world through the lens of the Black female experience, premiered in 2019 and covered themes like anxiety, dating, sex and religion.
It remains one of HBO’s most critically acclaimed shows and still holds a 100% rating on the critic aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. Its audience score is a bit lower at 57%. News of the show’s cancellation comes courtesy of Variety.
“For four exceptional seasons of ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ we’ve been thrilled to partner with her on this groundbreaking, hilarious series,” HBO said about creator and star Robin Thede. “Robin, alongside Hoorae, Jax Media, and the incredible cast and crew, leave an indelible legacy not only in sketch, but in television comedy, and we look forward to continued creative collaboration under her deal with us.”
The latest season of the show, which debuted in April, started Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, Skye Townsend, DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade and Angel Laketa Moore. It also served as a launching pad of sorts for Abbott Elementary star and creator Quinta Brunson and Ted Lasso star and Emmy winner Ashley Nicole Black.
Thede told Variety she was so grateful to all the “immensely talented cast members, guest stars, writers, directors, editors and crew members” who helped to make the show a success.
“I especially want to recognize the Black women and other women of color who excelled in every department at ‘ABLSS.’ I am also eternally grateful for the support of Issa Rae and Jax Media, Amy Gravitt, Casey Bloys and the entire team at HBO, Max and Warner Bros. Discovery.”
She elaborated on this sentiment in an Instagram post about the show’s cancellation.
“For fans of the show, please know that your support and love for ABLSS has always been so blippity appreciated. Thank you for sharing the videos, posting the memes, and yelling the catchphrases at us when you saw us in the streets! Please continue to support these amazing comedians as they go on to more greatness in their careers outside of the Black Lady Courtroom (clap, clap)!”
The show had quite the run; garnering 13 Emmy nominations over its first three seasons, with wins for editing and directing. The directing win was especially historic, as Bridget Stokes became the first Black woman to win in that category for directing.
HBO submitted the latest season for Emmy consideration in 30 categories. Thede, who signed a three-year deal with Max and Warner Bros. Television, will move on to developing a new show called Disengagement.
The entire run of the show is currently streaming.