memorable Breaking Bad guest role), a party girl who routinely asks her roommates for payment up front and then starts to behave wildly until they leave. One roommate, June (Dreama Walker), proves more difficult to drive away. The series, which also featured Dawson's Creek alum James Van Der Beek as a fictionalized version of himself, got positive reviews and developed a loyal following. But it was canceled after only two seasons.
In an interview on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast, Ritter discussed why ABC canceled Don’t Trust the B—. Ritter mentions several factors, naming the show's scheduling first and describing it as being "dragged around by a sh–t-smeared dog." The actor also said that the show was "edgy". Still, in the quote below, Ritter explains why the show was probably better off being short-lived:
It was… listen, it was on ABC. It was right before the metrics sort of changed. Like, we got canceled for numbers that now are considered, like, massive hits, right? It was kind of scheduled badly. It just was kind of dragged around by a sh–smeared dog. But it was also very edgy. And we really pushed the envelope. The writing was way ahead of its time. And it was just one of those, like, great little quirky shows that probably served everybody better by just being two seasons. Because it’s like, you know, cult following. People love it. I love it. I will watch it and laugh at every line. Because the writing is so good.
How Scheduling Impacted Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23
Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23 debuted to very strong numbers. The sitcom's first seven episodes hovered in the range of 5 to 6 million linear viewers. For context, as Ritter mentions, this is much higher than what hit ABC comedies like The Conners and Abbott Elementary get today in their live Nielsen ratings. This positive start was not helped by the network's scheduling decisions.
ABC elected to air Don’t Trust the B— episodes out of order, essentially mixing the first season with the season, without caring about continuity. As a result of this, some stories were disorganized and hard to follow for some viewers. This is particularly true of Van Der Beek's Dancing with the Stars plot and June starting a new job.
In the years since the cast of Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23 went on to bigger roles. Ritter brought Jessica Jones to life, with regular calls for her to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Walker played Connie Stevens in Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Van Der Beek has written and produced shorts and other series. Eric Andre, as well, has become more recognized for his comedy. The show is ed as an underrated gem. And, as Ritter says, maybe that's for the best.
