Why was 'The Mole' canceled by ABC? The real reason unscripted series moved to Netflix

'The Mole' returns to Netflix for Season 2 with 12 strangers competition for whopping prize pot
UPDATED JUN 24, 2024
Andy Mintzer stars in 'The Mole' Season 2 (Instagram/@andymintzer)
Andy Mintzer stars in 'The Mole' Season 2 (Instagram/@andymintzer)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The thrilling unscripted series, 'The Mole' was ABC's original concept but the television network canceled the show because of its poor ratings. However, the exciting challenge competition was later revamped by Netflix and proved to be a huge success with the streaming giant giving greenlight to Season 2.

'The Mole' debuted on ABC in January 2001 and Season 2 in September of the same year. However, ABC slowed down the production and Season 3 didn't premiere until 2003 with a spinoff, 'Celebrity Mole' starring Ahmad Rashad as host. ABC brought 'The Mole' back one last time in 2008 with its original format.

Unfortunately, the series failed to recapture its former glory. According to reports, ABC's 'The Mole' Season 5 premiere garnered a notable 4.73 million live viewers. Sadly, the ABC show series received less than 3 million viewers. ABC didn't see the future of the show and shut down its production. 

Netflix revamped ABC's 'The Mole' (@netflix)
Netflix revamped ABC's 'The Mole' (@netflix)

Does ABC and Netflix's 'The Mole' have a similar format?

ABC and Netflix's 'The Mole' features a similar format where 12 strangers work together to complete a series of challenges with the hopes of adding money to a prize pot. However, a Mole secretly sabotages the group by preventing the contestants from adding money to the fund.

Throughout the season, all 12 players need to keep tabs on the people around them and test their intuition thrilling challenges about the Mole's identity. The contestants with the lowest scores face elimination. However, the reimagined ABC show series, 'Celebrity Mole' had quite a different format. In ABC's spin-off show, the celebrities participated in the competition for charity.

Netflix's 'The Mole' follows a similar format to ABC series (@netflix)
Netflix's 'The Mole' follows a similar format to the ABC series (@netflix)

How to watch 'The Mole' Season 2?

'The Mole' Season 2 is set to premiere on June 28 on Netflix with five episodes dropping on Fridays. The subscription plans of the streaming service range from $6.99 to $22.99 per month. Award-winning journalist Ari Shapiro will host the upcoming installment. The cast includes a bona fide web sleuth, a forensic accountant and more competitors from different professions.

Andy, Deanna, Hannah, Jennifer, Melissa, Michael, Muna, Neesh, Ryan, Sean, Tony and Quaylyn are ready to compete in Season 2 of the Netflix show. The latest installment promises more thrilling challenges than ever, shocking revelations, jaw-dropping plot twists and of course betrayal.


 
 
 
 
 
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