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Amazon Cancels Norman Lear’s Transgender Comedy ‘Clean Slate’ Despite Positive Reviews

BBG News

Amazon’s streaming platform, Prime Video, has ended the production of legendary producer Norman Lear‘s final television series, “Clean Slate.” The comedy series, which featured standout actress Laverne Cox from “Orange is the New Black” and comedian George Wallace, received positive reviews from both critics and viewers. However, despite its timely storyline that highlighted a transgender actress, it was unable to persuade Amazon into granting a second season. The news was initially broken by Deadline, in an article written by Cox, Wallace, and co-creator Dan Ewen.

Despite initially being announced as ongoing on April 18th, it was later revealed that the series had actually been canceled towards the end of March, just a month after its premiere, which received positive reviews and an 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s worth considering whether the show’s focus on the highly contentious topic of transgender rights might have contributed to its cancellation, given the Trump Administration’s firm stance against this community. In fact, it seems that many corporations are aligning themselves with the US President’s goal of dismantling diversity and inclusion initiatives nationwide, with Amazon being one such example. Notably, Jeff Bezos, the company’s founder, has contributed significant funds to the President’s campaign.

According to the show’s official log line:

‘Fresh Start’

Story revolves around Harry Wallace, an old-fashioned and vocal car wash proprietor from Alabama, who finds himself questioning his beliefs when his presumed son, now known as Desiree Cox, a confident transgender woman, unexpectedly returns to Mobile.

Curious about the journey that led to the launch of “Clean Slate“? Stick around to discover its fascinating history.

‘Clean Slate’ Was “A Seven-Year Effort” And Labor Of Love From Its Creators

The core idea of this series is captivating, and its relevance to our current political landscape has been referred to as a “final gift” from the iconic, groundbreaking, transformative comedian Norman Lear before his passing in December 2023. It’s worth mentioning that Lear was behind All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, Good Times, Maude, The Facts of Life, among many others. Therefore, the endorsement from Norman Lear was undoubtedly a valued one for Wallace, Ewen, and Cox.

The series’ fundamental concept (and Cox specifically) seemed to impart valuable lessons about humanity through comedy, as it often does for others, according to these writers. “Norman gazed at us in disbelief,” they penned. “He paused, gathering his thoughts before questioning, ‘I’m nearly a century old. How is it that I’ve only recently grasped something so crucial?’

They went on to add:

Laverne, who has graced both the cover of ‘Time’ magazine and ‘British Vogue,’ had spent the previous hour and a half fielding numerous questions about being transgender from the inquisitive Norman. The discussion was engaging, and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Norman was referred to as “guuuurl” 17 times during their interaction – a first for him, no doubt.

In the initial draft, some of Lear’s questions were overly personal or excessively medical. Laverne’s response, “That information is private between me, my doctor, and my partner,” was included in the pilot script. However, Norman’s questions demonstrated a mind that had continued to remain open, long after most people’s minds have closed off, as we might put it.

This entire work is an emotionally moving, enlightening, and delightful read about a show that, hopefully, will continue to live on. The creators mentioned they’ll be self-promoting, orchestrating their own ‘For Your Attention’ campaign, as they seek a new platform for the series to call home.

Deadline

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2025-04-19 06:32

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