In a recent interview with the StarTribune’s CJ, Nate Berkus reflected on what went wrong with The Nate Berkus Show. The series was cancelled after two seasons on the air and the last episode aired on May 24th.
I think that for me it probably wasn’t the best decision to do a daytime, hourly talk show every single day. Design is something I think is elective. It’s something a lot of people feel is a luxury. It’s not must-see TV. For me, design is really important, but in order to do a show every day you have to talk about a lot of other things. You have to talk about cooking, fashion, style.
The truth is I’m very grateful that I had two full seasons — the show is on until September. It takes a long time for a show to gain traction and to find its viewership. I had a very loyal audience on Facebook, on Twitter, posting and tweeting about how they loved this recipe or the talented people my producers and I found and made a part of the show. The audience was very loyal from the beginning but the audience didn’t grow by leaps and bounds. That’s the goal with a daily syndicated show. The ratings for my show were decent. We had a lot of viewers, a lot of people who had seen my work on “Oprah” and I think they expected the same from a daily show.
Truthfully, I was on “Oprah” about every six weeks for 10 years. The production that went into every single time I was there took weeks and weeks and weeks to do. You can’t replicate that magnitude when you are doing something every day. Would I do it again? Probably not. I learned a lot from that experience. I think the most important thing that I took away were the relationships that I have now; the producers [with whom] I worked. It’s almost like being in summer camp together. You’re in sort of the trenches every single day and as soon as you finish a show you’ve got another one coming right up the pipeline. It’s like a column. It was definitely a wonderful experience for me, but I learned it’s probably not what I was meant to do and that’s OK.
What do you think? Do you agree with Berkus’ assessment? What do you think worked? What didn’t? Are you missing the program?
I will definitely miss Nate. I’m a stay at home housewife and could boot wait for 10a.m.You will be missed Nate. Good luck in your next venture.
I am very disappointed to learn that The Nate Berkus Show was cancelled. It was empowerment to families who sought changes in their home/ work environment with the touch of FUN, CREATIVITY, and DESIGN! Nate also helped organizations such as the music school in New York where he helped to redesign three-to-four levels of space to accommodate excellent music talent with young people. Just one example of many shows that he enlightened the lives of many people. I wish him well and success in his future endeavors. Perhaps start a Nate Berkus Catalog and/or “Nate Berkus Decorating Store” chains across… Read more »
I found the Nate show at 3a.m. When I had insomnia. I began recording and couldn’t wait to see the next. His ideas are amazing especially when it comes to decorating beautifully on a tight budget.
what a shame that my twenty year old daughter won’t have this valuable resource.
I’m sure it was a tough show and routine, but I disagree with Nate if he thinks he didn’t make the grade every show. It was such a relaxing show. Every day I came home from work and watched it to both unwind and get some ideas and inspiration. Nate’s guests were people I don’t usually see, and I appreciated Nate’s natural charm and openness about his life and style. I didn’t get to see it all the time, so I just hope some website keeps episodes alive and available. Nate, if you’re reading this….good luck and know that you… Read more »
I really think it’s a shame Nate’s show was cancelled. It was the only television show that I wish I could have had tickets for. It was uplifting and so interesting. I realize I’m posting this late but I felt I had to.
I really miss, Nate!!! My husband and I are retired but didn’t discover the Nate Show until late last summer. We became ardent fans, never missing it. I was shocked to see that it has been cancelled. Now the network has more room for info-mericals! OH Boy! What has happened to class?
Nate Berkus had a very thoughtful and enlightening show that was done with humor and compassion. His interview with Elizabeth Edwards and the followup show just prior to her death shows his compassion. He is kind and very thoughtful. I love him. I am 70 years old and Nate treats old women like me just as respectfully as he treats the pretty young things. I would be proud to have him as a son (I have 4 now).
I think you (the powers that be), are making a big mistake cancelling NATE.
That goes for OPRAH, who just happens to be my favorite person.
NATE probably has more fans than you people in the so called KNOW, know about.
SHAME SHAME SHAME on all of you.
The Nate Berkus Show was the highlight of daytime TV. He was bright and presented design in an understandable manner. I no longer watch design shows because the designs are either over the top, too expensive or too wild. I don’t have thousands of dollars to do a home makeover and Nate Berkus presented ideas that made sense dollar-wise and fashion-wise. Once again the “tv experts/programers” have blown it.
I really enjoyed the design aspects of the show but unfortunately in the beginning Nate had a show which had an explicit discussion on sex….I was uncomfortable and I was watching it alone. Can you imagine what mothers with children watching were thinking? That show cheapened his show I think. I did write and complain to the company….and although that she show seemed to get into cooking….cool designs, etc….it did have some guests on where the conversation had sex contents….Not a good idea….
I never saw such a show on Nate AND I VERY VERY RARELY MISSED IT.
I watch a lot of TV and to cancel Nate and leave garbage shows on is mind blowing…all I can say is the network made aBIG mistake and what ever you do Nate I’ll follow you. Love you!!!!
aMEN aMEN aMEN TO THAT.
I know it must have been a tremendous amount of work for a daily show, but I would love to see a return of such a concept, perhaps with multiple hosts. Nate is so personable and he just connected with me in the sense that I took a fresh look at my surroundings and was always motivated to try something new without busting the budget.
I sure wish there were seven Nate Berkuses so that we could enjoy his perspective daily. Miss you, Nae! Good luck in your future endeavors and RELAX a little. 🙂
Trudie Boccadoro Lear
I wiil miss Nate Bercus. He is one of are great designers. His show was wonderful. I am sorry to see more boring traditional talk shows. I wll not be watching. All the design and decorating shows have been cancelled. I thought his show was a good mix of design and pure entertainment. I feel it is the veiwers loss. I hope he will comeback to Tv in some form in the future.
I just want it back on air! I started every morning watching him! Unlike most talk shows which are loud and perky or tense and controversial, The Nate Show was fun, relaxing and actually enjoyable to watch.
I have worked for over 22 years and rarely had a chance to watch Oprah. I was laid off last month and started watching Nate…LOVE the show. Silly me kept checking the website to see when tickets would be available and I found out today the show was cancelled. Darn! No job and no Nate!