HBO certainly were wishing for a better reception for “Vinyl.” From the creative braintrust of “Boardwalk Empire” team Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter, along with Mick Jagger, the network’s ’70s set music industry series was not critically beloved, has been met with a modestly sized audience, and overall, is not earning the kind of cultural cachet one would expect of a show with this kind of talent and money (lots of it) behind it. While the network has already renewed the show for a second season (frankly, not doing so would’ve been embarrassing given how much they’d throw into it), it seems there’s some behind the scenes friction that has led to one major talent leaving the fold.
READ MORE: Overwrought Nostalgia Gets In The Way Of Martin Scorsese’s Episode 1 Of ‘Vinyl’
Deadline reports that Terence Winter has been let go from “Vinyl” due to “creative differences.” Stepping into his place will be Scott Z. Burns (“The Informant!,” “Contagion“), marking his first TV effort, and as executive producer and the new showrunner, he’ll be tasked with essentially turning the show around. Joining him as executive producer is Max Borenstein (“Godzilla“), who wrote for the single season “Minority Report” TV series.
Yes, creatives come and go often, especially in television, but generally showrunners stick around for long stretches, and of course series creators, and Winter’s departure is a shock. Not only because of his long-running partnership with Scorsese (they’ve worked together on “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Wolf Of Wall Street“), but with HBO as well, penning the series that made them a household name for quality TV drama with “The Sopranos.” And it was only a couple months back that Winter shared he was not concerned about the initially low scores the series earned in viewership numbers.
READ MORE: Interview: Series Creator Terence Winter Talks ‘Boardwalk Empire’ & The Season 4 Finale
“Viewing habits have changed so drastically that the truth is the first night doesn’t matter anymore,” he said. “It’s really like 20% of what it ultimately is after all platforms. Where we are now, we’re already past 2.5 million views, so it’s the number that comes out two, three weeks later that’s the actual number. Not that many people, apparently on Valentine’s night, were ready to sit down and watch a [what is essentially a two-hour] movie.”
Well, he may not have been worried, but the network clearly was. For their part, HBO has released a respectful statement, but one that makes it clear that “Vinyl” is shaking things up:
As we head into the second season of Vinyl, we have decided it is an appropriate time to make a change in the creative direction of the show. We have enjoyed a longtime partnership with Terry Winter at HBO on projects from The Sopranos to Boardwalk Empire to Vinyl, and we look forward to our next collaboration with him. We are pleased to welcome Scott Z. Burns, executive producer and showrunner, and Max Borenstein, executive producer, as the new team helming the show.
Winter had recently said that the second season would stay set in 1974, but it’ll be interesting to see if that changes, and what else goes under a dramatic reconstruction as HBO attempts to turn things around on the series. Between this, and the delays on “Westworld,” it makes it all the more baffling why they would cancel a modestly budgeted, critically adored, sure thing like “Togetherness.”
Thoughts? Is this the change “Vinyl” needs? Let us know below.
I don\’t understand the Vinyl hate. The pilot was iffy, (ADC was amazing though) but the show has really taken shape. Cannevale is killing it and when usually dramatizations of real rock stars see stilted, these come off as actually believable and real.The accuracy of the show is not as important to me as the development of the characters and the depth of the story. I always took it as a consolidation of different things happening in the 70s, not a literal depiction. The show is damn good. Romano is a great surprise too. the whole cast is great.
One of the bets shows on television. Worked in the music biz during a break in college and it is spot on. Great acting. great writing.
I love the show…I think it\’s brilliant; my only beef is the coke thing is a little overwhelming at times…and it spiralled in personal madness rather quickly to the point that it almost rips out the otherwise great viewing experience. The acting is amazing, especially with all the musicians (i.e. Bowie and a young Robert Plant).
Correction for above…"to the point that is almost rips me out of the otherwise great viewing experience.
Vinyl took a glimpse into the world of what makes musicians tick as well as their idle time … Essentially riddled with art, drug use, fashion, sex, booze and overall gluttony. Given that only a fair portion of modern culture really delves into the subtle nuances and appreciation for "good music" … It makes sense that it was not received as well as it was expected. It possessed many layers of a musicians world and those that appreciate this climatic era what some would call the "golden era" 68-74 probably took an interest in it. Ray Romano was fabulous in the role and most of the characters offered their fair share of humor and sophistication … Give it some time for it all to settle in.
Wow. Only a matter if time before others exit ship, presuming a lot of the talent signed because Winter was at the helm.
Who are you people? The show is HORRENDOUS. I feel ashamed of myself for finishing whole episodes. The acting is amazing compared to community theater maybe? Bobby Canavale (who is a good actor) is constantly at 11– he\’d be too big even if he were on stage in a musical. And the writing is dreadfully redundant. Ask yourself wtf are the episodes made of? What a waste of money. Good riddance. It\’s such great setting for a tv show, it\’s a shame this is what came out of it. Maybe Burns can rebuild it.
Cannavale doesn\’t have the chops to carry the emotional heft of this role and neither does Ray Romano. I want to like the series because it\’s an interesting subject, but between the cringe factor from the two male leads and the too-precious camera wanks, it\’s easier to find something else to watch. Bottom line: firing Winters won\’t save this series.
There doesn\’t seem to be anything fresh or new about this. The music legends from week to week make me feel like I am watching the Love Boat looking to see who this week\’s special guest gimmick will be. This is a very talented cast, but they are playing some pretty unlikeable characters. I have watched every week because it is not a bad show, but it certainly hasn\’t become an "Event" for me like the Sopranos or Deadwood was or Game of Thrones is. There is so much potential and talent. The writing change may fix it. I hope.
The number one reason I won\’t watch it: Cannevale. That may be the consensus reason it isn\’t better watched
I lived and breathed in this era all the actors are good Cannevale is scaringly brilliant all I can say is keep up the pace I love it.
These HBO people are crazy…somebody needs to stop them. They don\’t know what they want. How is it possible that they cancle shows by people like Steve McQueen, David Fincher, Brad Pitt (producer) and now Terence Winter, one of their best writers ? Don\’t this people see that you can\’t treat artists like that ? Nobody will trust them anymore, because their word means nothing. "We\’ll do a who with you !" "Yeah, fu*k you, it\’ll be canceled in 2 weeks, no thanks!"
Yes, I\’m into the characters. really like the musical reenactments during the show. it\’s set up for a possibly good 2nd season – it\’ll be great to see how well Richie gets away with murder. Don\’t screw it up! A compelling 2nd season will draw new people back to the 1st.
Contaigon and Godzilla, two absolute snooze fests.
This is crazy! Duh a long partnership between winter and HBO. Doubt there\’s going to be a "next collaboration."
The scene where the nasty bits can\’t write a song, and their manager grabs the guitar and runs through the E A B chords to different hits is the best scene I\’ve ever seen–
This spring on HBO: Winter is going
I don\’t understand how this show isn\’t one of HBO\’s best shows. I love everything about this show and I really hope they don\’t change direction on this show because so far it\’s been perfect. I\’ve been watching this show since episode 1. The one thing I can\’t stand about HBO is how quickly they can pull a plug on a a show. Sometimes it just doesn\’t make any sense how a show like True Blood can bring viewership in and that show was awful and then you have a show like Vinyl which is brilliant and now they are talking about going into a different direction with creative writing. Either way I just hope this show gives us 5 or 6 seasons.
The show is simply great, I love the energy every one of the actors put in his/her role.
Who wouldn\’t want to get in to the time machine and experience life when music creativity and arts exploded at that level. I agree coke shows way too much, despite that it is a great show. Nothing less I would expect from HBO. Too bad Terence would not longer be on it.
Serious question: how many people commenting on this article are the same person? Or is the misspelling of Bobby Cannavale\’s last name just something that\’s staggeringly contagious?