We recently received the gut punching news that Midcentury Modern will not return to Hulu for a second season. Across the interwebs there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. A lightning in a bottle cast with three out gay actors including heartthrob Matt Bomer and Broadway legend Nathan Lane and FINALLY a Golden Girls remake that works (Hot in Cleveland was close, but then, it had an OG Golden Girl), plus an instantly loyal fanbase and you’d think you had the recipe for a long successful run. But once again, the streaming gods betray us and punish us for unknown sins. Midcentury Modern is no more.
Linda Lavin’s death before last season ended (which they handled brilliantly) was undoubtedly a blow to the cast and producers, but grieving the loss could have been part of season 2, the sister growing into the curmudgeonly matriarchal role might have been a possibility, Lane himself becoming the new “Ma” would also be something to consider. Rhea Perlman (the mother’s BFF) could have stepped into the motherly role, or a before unmentioned aunt from New Jersey could pop up. Lavin’s death did not have to mean the death of the show (as marvelous as she was).
While the woulda/coulda/shouldas might give us something to pour our regret into, at the end of the day grief leads to acceptance and we’ll get there. But Christ on the Cross we will miss our gay golden girls.
