ABC is finding itself in the middle of a growing controversy after comedian and political commentator John Oliver publicly criticized the network for renewing the popular police drama The Rookie while abruptly canceling the medical-themed series Doctor Odyssey. During a recent episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver took aim at ABC’s programming decisions, calling the network “a disaster” and accusing it of ignoring audience investment in favor of safe, familiar choices.
“The Rookie? Again?” Oliver said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “At this point, even Nathan Fillion looks surprised every time they tell him he’s coming back.” While the comment drew laughs from the studio audience, the underlying message was clear — Oliver believes Doctor Odyssey was unfairly cut short despite its creative promise and a small but loyal fan base.
Doctor Odyssey, which followed a team of humanitarian doctors working in conflict zones around the world, aired just one season but gained praise for its cinematic scope, diverse cast, and emotionally rich storytelling. Though it never matched the ratings of The Rookie, critics noted its bold approach and timely themes.
Oliver didn’t hold back when comparing the two shows. “You cancel a drama about doctors risking their lives to save others — in places where help is scarce — but keep the 38th season of ‘Let’s catch bad guys in Los Angeles’?” he said. “ABC, your priorities are as confusing as your streaming app.”
Fans of Doctor Odyssey quickly took to social media to echo Oliver’s sentiments. Hashtags like #SaveDoctorOdyssey and #ABCFail began trending on X (formerly Twitter), and petitions calling for the show to be picked up by another network or streaming platform have already gathered thousands of signatures.
Meanwhile, supporters of The Rookie defended the renewal, citing the show’s consistent ratings, strong ensemble cast, and its ability to mix procedural action with moments of humor and social commentary. Some viewers argued that Doctor Odyssey, while ambitious, lacked the narrative cohesion needed to survive in a competitive TV landscape.
ABC has yet to issue an official response to Oliver’s comments or the backlash from fans. However, media analysts note that the criticism could pressure the network to revisit its cancellation decisions, especially as platforms like Hulu or Disney+ continue to expand their original content libraries.
Whether or not Doctor Odyssey will find new life elsewhere remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: in the eyes of John Oliver and many viewers, ABC’s recent programming decisions are anything but healing.
