News is uncertain on the Sam & Cat front, with the Nickelodeon show airing haphazardly lately amid a “production hiatus”--in addition to rumored trouble with leading cast member Jennette McCurdy--prompting speculation that the show won’t be renewed.
Sam & Cat is one of most popular shows on Nickelodeon (averaging about 3.5 million viewers) but things behind-the-scenes don’t look so great and might force a cancellation.
The season was extended to 40 episodes in July 2013 due to its popularity.
Things started getting weird in February, though. The 28th episode aired on February 22, but the show went on a break until March 15. After the 31st episode aired on March 29, there was another break; and after a one-off return on April 12, there was another break.
Now the 33rd episode is scheduled to air on April 26, but scheduling for the other episodes is up in the air. For instance, they’re not listed at all on Futon Critic, a TV scheduling website that’s typically up to date on pretty much every show.
McCurdy has reportedly been squabbling with management over her low salary in comparison to co-star Ariana Grande, halting production.
A representative of the network insisted to Fox News that despite a production break that show will return for a season 2.
“We are wrapping up what was an unusually long production cycle of ‘Sam & Cat,’ and everyone is understandably tired,” the network said in a statement. “We are going into our production hiatus next week which will give everyone on the show a much needed rest.”
But Deadline was among the outlets to report that the show was put on “permanent hiatus” a few episodes early, with everyone on the crew let go except for those working in post-production.
“As Sam & Cat is wrapping production on its 40-episode first season, there is no word on Season 2—a very unusual development for such a successful series,” it reported. “There has been talk about discord on the set, with emotions running high and McCurdy and Grande sometimes showing up late. The grueling, 40-episode shoot has been taxing on everyone.”
“Additionally, McCurdy had been going through a difficult time in her personal life for the past six months and recently had to deal with the leak of racy photos, while Grande’s music career has taken off a big time. Both have been at Nickelodeon for a long time, McCurdy for more than seven years and Grande for more than four. Both are entering adulthood, and word is both feel constrained at kids-focused Nickelodeon and are ready to move on.”
Sources close to the situation did note that McCurdy and Grande are still getting along fine amid all the trouble.
Grande has been focusing on her musical career lately, constantly tweeting about her new album that was just released.
