Alex Cooper’s Love Overboard sinks after season one—Disney pulls plug

Disney announced Monday that it will pull Alex Cooper’s Hulu dating series Love Overboard after one season, ending production of the nine‑episode show that premiered in March. The decision follows reports that the series struggled to attract a large audience in a crowded reality‑tv market.

Cooper, who co‑hosts the popular podcast Call Her Daddy and recently signed a $60 million deal to move the show to Spotify, also produced Love Overboard under her Unwell Productions banner.

Unwell, which launched a line of wellness beverages that was pulled from shelves earlier this month after a financial news source reported the brand was being discontinued, also serves as Cooper’s production vehicle for new projects.

The shift in agency representation—from UTA to CAA—occurred in the summer and signals a strategic realignment as Cooper expands beyond podcasting. Despite these moves, the cancellation of Love Overboard marks an early exit for Unwell’s reality‑tv venture.

Love Overboard followed a yacht‑based format in which 22 singles competed for romance while guided by former Bachelorette winner Gabby Windey. The nine‑episode series combined travel, drama, and dating challenges in a high‑stakes setting that aimed to differentiate it from other reality programs.

Disney’s decision to cancel the series reflects the network’s focus on shows that generate consistent viewership across Hulu’s growing streaming library.

## Background & Context

Alex Cooper rose to prominence as co‑host of the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, a venture that later moved to Spotify under a $60 million three‑year contract. Call Her Daddy attracted millions of listeners worldwide and was praised for its frank discussion of sexuality.

She expanded her media presence by launching Unwell Productions, a company that produces television and culinary content while also marketing a line of wellness beverages. The company’s beverage brand was recently pulled from shelves after an industry report noted declining sales.

Love Overboard premiered on Hulu in March and followed a yacht‑based format in which 22 singles competed for romance while guided by former Bachelorette winner Gabby Windey. The nine‑episode series combined travel, drama, and dating challenges in a high‑stakes setting that aimed to differentiate it from other reality programs.

Despite the star power and unique setting, the show struggled to capture sustained viewership.

Disney announced that it would not renew Love Overboard for a second season, . The decision comes after the series completed its single run of nine episodes and was unable to meet the network’s performance benchmarks.

The cancellation marks an early exit for Unwell’s reality‑tv venture and underscores the difficulty of launching new formats in a competitive streaming landscape.

## What People Are Saying

Neither Alex Cooper nor Disney issued a statement about the cancellation, a silence that has prompted speculation among viewers and industry observers. Cooper’s public platform is heavily engaged with her audience through podcast episodes and social media posts, yet she has not addressed the decision.

The lack of comment leaves fans uncertain about whether the show will be revived on another platform or if future projects will be delayed.

Industry analysts note that Love Overboard’s format, while innovative, faced stiff competition from established reality‑tv shows and lacked a distinct hook to retain viewers.

The yacht setting offered a novel backdrop, but the pacing and narrative arcs did not resonate with Hulu’s core demographic, viewership reports. the lack of a central host who could guide audience empathy may have limited engagement.

Cooper’s broader media ventures appear resilient; the Call Her Daddy partnership with Spotify continues to draw large audiences, and her company recently secured an investment that values it at $500 million. The investment comes from Patrick Whitesell’s firm WTSL and is aimed at expanding production capabilities.

This financial backing could help Unwell pursue new scripted projects that may prove more successful than reality formats. While the immediate future of Love Overboard remains uncertain, Cooper’s track record suggests she will pivot toward new content.

## What Happens Next

Unwell Productions is reportedly developing a new Hulu drama titled You Deserve To Know, starring Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley. The series centers on a high‑school teacher who navigates a web of secrets after her estranged mother returns to town.

Production is slated to begin in late summer, with Cooper serving as an executive producer and creative consultant. The project is part of a broader partnership between Unwell and Hulu that includes several scripted pilots in development.

The drama’s release is anticipated for early next year, positioning it as a potential anchor for Hulu’s original content lineup.

The investment from Patrick Whitesell’s firm WTSL, which values Unwell at $500 million, provides capital for expanding the company’s production slate and acquiring new talent. The partnership includes a co‑financing agreement for future scripted projects and a joint marketing initiative to boost brand visibility.

This financial backing is intended to support Unwell’s transition from niche beverage branding into mainstream entertainment.

Cooper’s recent move from UTA to CAA signals a strategic shift toward broader media opportunities beyond podcasting and reality television. Her partnership with Spotify remains a significant revenue source, while the new Hulu drama is expected to diversify her portfolio further.

Industry insiders suggest that Cooper may also explore scripted comedy pilots and collaborative ventures with other high‑profile talent. If successful, the drama could open doors for additional series and co‑production deals.

While Love Overboard’s brief run underscores the challenges of launching new reality formats, Cooper’s diversified portfolio suggests she will continue to shape the entertainment landscape in multiple arenas.