No More Pulling

BBCBBC Three has decided to pull the plug on its successful comedy series, Pulling, despite ratings rising for its second season. The comedy series will wrap up with a special episode next year.

 

BBC Three controller Danny Cohen has decided not to commission a third series of Pulling, a comedy series that has proved popular on the digital channel. The move has come as a shock as the second series of the comedy increased its ratings and American network ABC is making a pilot for a possible American version of the series.

The British version will also air in America later this month. Pulling is about three thirtysomething female friends who desperately try to find romance.

Instead of a third series they’ll be a special 60 minute episode that will air next year and will wrap up the series. The decision not to renew the series has been put down, to some, because BBC Three is aiming at a younger audience than Pulling attracts but this has been denied within the BBC. Cohen told Media Guardian that the axe fell in order to make way for new projects.

“Pulling has had two fantastic series on BBC3 and we’ve committed to an hour-long finale episode as a mark of its quality. In an ideal world, we would recommission many more of our comedies – but on BBC3 we have to continually make room for the new. Every recommission means one less space for a new project.”

– Danny Cohen speaking to Media Guardian

 

The writers on the show, Sharon Horgan [who also stars in the series] and Danny Kelly were willing to write another series but felt the series couldn’t run past a third series. Instead of getting a third run they have instead been given a 60 minute special. It’s hoped that the BBC will reverse their decision because of the success of Pulling’s second season.
The series was the third rated comedy on BBC Three after Gavin and Stacey and Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps. Because of this success it’s hoped the BBC will relent and give Pulling its third season.