Jada Pinkett Smith’s “Red Table Talk” has been a mainstay on Facebook Watch Originals since 2018, news recently broke that the show was canceled.
This decision comes as Facebook Watch Originals, the platform that airs “Red Table Talk,” is being phased out. The famous talk show covers various topics, from personal relationships to politics, and has garnered a significant following.
Facebook Cancels Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk
The popular talk series “Red Table Talk,” co-hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith on Facebook Watch, has been canceled due to the shutdown of programming at Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
A Meta representative confirmed the closure of its Facebook Watch originals division, including shows like Steve Harvey’s “STEVE on Watch” and Simone Biles’ “Simone vs Herself” docuseries. The news was first reported by Deadline.
In response to the cancellation, “Red Table Talk” released a statement expressing gratitude for the partnership with Facebook Watch and apologizing for the disbandment of the entire team. The statement also mentioned that the show is seeking a new home and will return soon.
The statement read, “We are so grateful to have had such a beautiful partnership with Facebook Watch, and we are so sorry to see the entire team disband. We wish everyone well in their new journeys to come. We at Red Table are discussing finding a new home, and we’ll see you soon.”
The cancellation of the show and the closure of the Facebook Watch originals division have left many fans disappointed. However, it remains to be seen if the show will find a new home or if it will be permanently off the air.
Intergenerational Family Trio Hosts Red Table Talk
“Red Table Talk” is a popular Facebook Watch series hosted by an intergenerational family trio: Jada Pinkett Smith, her daughter Willow Smith, and her mother, Adrienne Banfield Norris. The show, which premiered in 2018, is produced by Westbrook Studios, co-founded by Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.
The series features roundtable discussions on various topics, including relationships, addiction, family, health, and sexuality. The show’s conversations and guest appearances have often generated headlines, and its Facebook page has garnered over 11 million followers.
In a 2019 interview with HuffPost, Pinkett Smith discussed her decision to have vulnerable discussions on the Daytime Emmy-winning show. She stated that it was important for Black women to be allowed to express their vulnerability, pain, and healing, primarily through intergenerational conversations.
Facebook Watch Originals Gets The Axe As Meta Sheds Jobs
The shutdown of Facebook Watch’s originals programming division comes just weeks after parent company Meta announced its plan to cut 10,000 jobs, following a similar announcement of 11,000 job cuts in November. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained that the cuts were necessary to realign the company’s focus on the metaverse, a virtual-reality world.
In a statement released in March, Meta indicated that it would reduce the size of its recruiting team and make further cuts in its tech and business groups in late April and late May, respectively. Zuckerberg acknowledged that the job cuts would be difficult but necessary to improve business performance and achieve the company’s long-term vision.
The company’s decision to shift its focus to the metaverse and streamline operations comes as it faces competition from rivals like TikTok and a downturn in the online advertising market. In February, Meta posted lower fourth-quarter profit and revenue, prompting the company to pursue a leaner, more technical approach. Following the announcement of the job cuts, Meta’s shares rose by 3.7% in premarket trading.
The cancellation of “Red Table Talk” is undoubtedly disappointing for its many fans, but it’s not the end of the road for Jada Pinkett Smith and her co-hosts. The show will continue to be produced on different platforms, and the trio’s candid discussions will continue to inspire and inform their audience.
The entertainment industry is facing tough decisions amidst the ongoing pandemic. Should they shut down some shows and cut essential jobs? We want to know your thoughts. Is this the right move, or is there another solution? Join the conversation and stay tuned for updates.
