Pete Davidson has called it quits on Bupkis.
The Saturday Night Live alum has walked away from the planned second season of his semi-autobiographical Peacock comedy.
“I’ve always seen Bupkis as a window into my life, since it is so personal and about my struggles and family. After nearly a decade of my personal life being in the media I wanted a chance to tell my story my way,” Davidson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “Of all the work I’ve ever done, Bupkis is by far what I’m most proud of. I am so grateful to Lorne Michaels and Broadway Video, Peacock, Universal Television and the amazing cast and writers for helping me create something honest, funny and heartfelt. I do also feel that this part of my life is finished. I’m very excited for this next chapter and for you guys to see the work. Thank you to all who support me for I am forever grateful.”
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Davidson’s agent emailed Peacock earlier this week but declined to tell Broadway Video. Shooting was scheduled to begin in the summer in New York. After Davidson’s decision, Universal TV and Michaels’ Broadway Video went along with the move, which sources say had nothing to do with the industry-wide budget cuts that have seen a number of shows outright canceled and renewals reversed.
Peacock picked up Bupkis for a second season in June 2023, nearly two months after the show debuted to strong reviews. The show currently has a 78 percent rating among critics and 90 percent score from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
The half-hour semi-autobiographical comedy followed Davidson (who played a version of himself) as he worked through his family dynamics and the complexities of fame while trying to form meaningful relationships. Edie Falco and Joe Pesci — who sources say were pay or play on the show — starred as his mother and grandfather.
Peacock landed Bupkis with a straight to series order in April 2022 after the package was taken out to streamers and ignited a bidding war among multiple outlets.
Davidson rocketed to fame on Michaels’ SNL, where he previously ranked as the show’s youngest-ever cast member. He has collaborated with Bupkis co-creator Dave Sirus on multiple sketches and the duo co-wrote Universal Pictures’ The King of Staten Island (alongside Judd Apatow). Fellow Bupkis co-creator Judah Miller exec produced the 2020 dramedy that, like Bupkis, starred Davidson and was inspired by his life.
