Despite strong reviews,AP Bio, was canceled two separate times during its four-season run, and the reason behindthe sitcom’s cancelationsis a frustrating and difficult truth. Initially released in 2018,AP Biofollows Jack Griffin, a disgraced Harvard philosophy professorwho must move back to his hometown and begin teaching AP Biology at his local high school. However, Griffin decides that rather than actually teaching his students biology, he will prepare them to take down his arch nemesis so that he can get the job he believes is rightfully his.
On the page,AP Biohad plenty going for it during its run. The series starredIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiastar, Glenn Howerton, as Griffin, along with Lyric Lewis, Mary Sohn, Paula Pell, and Patton Oswalt.AP Bio’scast also included notable guest stars such as Nikki Glaser, Niecy Nash, and Angela Kinsey. On top of that, the series was produced bySaturday Night Live’sMike O’Brien. By the end of its run,AP Bioearned an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score. Yet, one problem put all of these positives on hold: ratings.
AP Bio Was Canceled By NBC In 2019 After Poor Ratings
What Happened To AP Bio After Its First Cancelation
The first cancelation ofAP Biooccurred in 2019. After airing for two seasons on NBC, the sitcomwas taken off the air due to poor ratings. Althoughthe first season started off strong, garnering nearly six million viewers for its second-ever episode, “Teacher Jail,“viewership quickly declined after that, averaging between two and three million viewers per episode. By season 2, these statistics only worsened, with only four out of 13 episodes surpassing the two million viewers mark. With little hope of reviving the series after so many episodes, it makes sense thatAP Biowas canceled.
Glenn Howerton’s Greatest It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Replacement Show Is Trending On Netflix (But There’s A Catch)
While still on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Glenn Howerton starred in another acclaimed sitcom that is now enjoying popularity on Netflix.
However,AP Bio’sstory did not end after NBC’s cancelation. Despite its declining viewership, the sitcom was quickly picked up by Peacock. It may seem strange for NBC to cancel a series just to pick it back up on its streaming service, but there is some logic to this decision.AP Biowasn’t being watched live on NBC, but it had strong enough reviews, especially after season 2, to merit keeping the show arounda bit longer. Most likely, NBC wanted to keepAP Bioafloat, but in a way that wasn’t a detriment to the network and its viewership.
Peacock Never Gave An Official Reason For AP Bio’s Cancelation In 2021
Potential Reasons Why AP Bio Was Canceled By Peacock
Unfortunately,AP Bio’sresidency on Peacock was as short-lived as its time on NBC. After two seasons ofthe show on Peacock, the service decided to cancel the show.In total, the sitcom received four seasons and 42 episodes. Strangely,Peacock did not offer an explanation for why it canceledAP Bio.It simply ended the show at the end of season 4 in 2021. Considering thatAP Bio’scritical reactions were still high, with 100% onRotten Tomatoes, it can be assumed that viewership never improved, leading to the show’s ultimate cancelation.
AP Biowas likely canceled by Peacock because of viewership. Although streaming ratings are a bit different from network television, Peacock could likely see the series was not gaining enough traction with viewers, even if those who did watch the show enjoyed it. Another issue that may have played a role was the COVID-19 pandemic. With audiences streaming more often, Peacock must have grown concerned thatAP Biowas still struggling. There is also the factor of length. After four seasons,AP Bionever truly took off with viewers, so it probably seemed like the time to call it quits.
What AP Bio Season 5’s Story Could Have Been
Best Shows To Watch Like AP Bio
AlthoughAP Bionever got the chance to develop season 5, the story could have gone in many interesting directions. After going through emotional turmoil duringAP Bioseason 4, Griffin could have found a new sense of peace, not only in his romantic life, but with his family as well. Furthermore,Griffin’s relationships with his students could have also grown, as he potentially learned to be betterthrough them. Even the students themselves could have gotten into more antics duringAP Bioseason 5, yet the show’s cancelation means these plots will likely end here.
Fortunately, those who lovedAP Bioare not at a complete loss. There are a number of series that aregreat replacements forAP Bio.First and foremost is the Hulu sitcom,English Teacher,which follows a high school English teacher who must deal with the hilarious ups and downs of teaching in the current age.Abbott Elementaryis also a fantastic school-centered sitcomthat is currently airing its fourth season. Even new series likeSt. Denis Hospital,which has nothing to do with schools, could be an ideal replacement forAP Bio.
Where You Can Watch AP Bio Today
The Glenn Howerton Show Remains A Streaming Hit
While there are no new episodes of the show arriving following its cancelation in 2021, the good news is thatAP Biocan be streamed on several platforms (as of early 2025). While Peacock canceled the show, they didn’t remove it from the platform. All four seasons ofAP Bioare still available to stream on Peacock in their entirety. What’s more, the show has expanded onto other platforms too.AP Biois available to stream on Netflix, including on the Basic with Ads tier.
For those who aren’t Netflix or Peacock customers, the other option is to purchaseAP Biodigitally.AP Biois available to own on many platforms, including Amazon Video and Apple TV. Prices start at $2.99 per episode on both platforms, though purchasing whole seasons costs varying amounts. This is compared to the $7.99 per month cost of a Peacock or Netflix Basic With Ads subscription, which are the cheapest options available for those who wish to streamAP Bio.
A.P. Bio
Cast
A.P. Bio is an NBC comedy that premiered in 2018. The sitcom stars It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia’s Glenn Howerton as Jack Griffin, a former philosophy professor who starts working as a high school advanced placement biology teacher. After season 2, A.P. Bio moved to Peacock for two seasons before getting canceled in 2021.
