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?
So sorry Nate is not on TV anymore. I don’t redo my rooms unless they need it but did enjoy learning different little hints on reusing items you already have and small changes to make things look new. I looked forward to his show every morning and had it on in the backround when I was cleaning or ironing. Good Luck Nate- mornings won’t be the same without you.
Really hate to hear The Nate Berkus show is cancelled! I loved seeing decorating, style, and cooking in one show. Nate is such a natural with interviews and just talking to people in general. I can’t think of any other show that’ll take its place for me!!!
How sad I was when I turned the channel to watch you and you were not on.I was really upset to hear that you were cancelled. You had the best daytime show !!!!!!!!!!!! I am really going to miss sitting having my coffee watching all your decorating tips. Not only that you are drop dead handsome !!!! Will miss you and I hope you change your mind and come back to TV. You are missed by milliona:)
I am so sad that this show is cancelled. Nate is a natural in front of the camera. I learned so much about decorating from him. Please bring him back! I watched this show every day or recorded it to watch later. I will certainly miss him.
I was so looking forward to the new season of the Nate show. I am very disapointed to see that the show was cancelled. I have watched the show since the begining and loved it. I especially liked your design segments, diy ideas, mr. Goodwill hunting and house proud. I hope you find a place somewhere else on TV. I am sure we will see you again. It was the only show like this on TV. All the best NATE.
I never got hooked on the Nate Show until the second season and then I quickly found out it was being cancelled. It is now one of my favorite shows and I am very sorry to see it go. I am watching the last showing on my network NBC Sept 7th, and I can’t believe that Nate won’t be on TV everyday…..I will miss the show.
I really miss your show Nate. Mom and I watched you every day, you did a really good job with it. Hope to see you someplace else soon if that’s what you want.
Nate’s show was my favorite. It was the only daytime show I watched and since HGTV has become all House Hunters, it’s really the only design show I watch. Bummer.
Nate, I will miss your show very much. I know how hard you must have worked. I you find a home on a station that will appreciate you.
So sad to see this show go off air! Such a diverse show for daytime television, which seems to continually roll out the same tired talk show! I understand the difficulty of producing a quality “design” show, day in and day out- perhaps OWN can figure out a weekly schedule for an upcoming program to showcase your design, DIY, House Proud, etc. segments and stay away from the cooking and fashion segments that everyone else is doing! Best of luck to you, Nate- I will truly miss your show and hope to see more of your work and ideas on… Read more »
Can’t believe it! What a loss. I learned so much from your show Nate. You are a true talent both in design & your connection with people! I felt as if you were a friend you will be missed. Thanks for all the things you taught me hope to see you on another show soon! My favorite things were when you would decorate someones room while they were sleeping, The surprise when they come in & find you there! Good luck & be looking for you on OWN.Loved when your mom was on I
I totally agree with Diane & Donna. Nates show was so helpful and full of encouragement. After working 41 yrs as a nurse, I retired in Sept. and have watched Nate everyday since, taping him when I wasn’t going to be home or wanted to save a certain show (glad I did). Due to circumstances I moved into my beach house that I used to rent out, which definetly needs changes. I was getting together a package to send to Nate to get ideas on how to do this, as “who is better than him”. So disappointed that I will… Read more »
I just can’t believe it. I have just retired and was looking forward to doing some of the projects. The show was just what the country needed we could look at what was old in a new way without throwing things out. I guess being up beat and happy doesn’t make for good T.V. We would rather watch shows where people lie and cheat. What a shame.
I am so sad the show was cancelled. Watching Nate do all the wonderful things he does for people was so touching. He was so talented, generous, funny and sweet. Good luck Nate……..I will miss you. I wish you luck and hope to see you back on tv soon.
Who made the big mistake? Nate was wonderful, uplifting and positive. So much better than all of the new shows advertised. I would rather watch the reruns of his shows!
I hope Nate will return in something else.