I realize people on this board and such are going to have their opinions/criticism/ect, but I have a theory why this series was Realy canceled. I don't Understand how a show that Most critics praised, has such a high raiting on here out of so many (it Seems for every 1 person who disliked it, or is even a bit critical of it; there's 10 others who absolutely love it/want Netflix to pick it up/ect..), and was perfect in so many ways. HBO in the beginning gave a green light on a 2nd season before the 2hr pilot was even finished Airing!..so what happened? I don't believe it was because the show "became stale"/ect, as I said; millions still loved it and watched it week after week.
Now this is Just my Opinion and a Theory; but I know a bit about how the art (musoc/film/ect) Industry works, and I'm sure many here do as well, and even know Far more than myself. But I do know as far as the Musoc Industry specifically; the different huge Rival record companies are VERY Picky about how their artists are Presented; especially Top Selling artists; dead or alive still. This series featured music artists from All Different labels and artistly Presented them as the creators felt like it. Real Artists, who have records to sell in Real life; even if they have passed away as I said. This series Presented these artists very realisticly, sometimes presented poorly, sometimes well, and other ways "in between"/ect.
For example Led Zeppelin were kinda presented as arrogant F's, who seemed to only care about money and having as much sex with as many groupies as possible. It made them look like not too nice people; which as some out their may know the real band Did often degrade groupies (just look up Real stories that some members Don't Deny..there's even the infamous "fish incident," involving a young groupie..), and just Read some interviews and such; some members Were pretty Openly arrogant. Now I personally still Love their music, after meeting many musicians (some nice/down to earth; other not at All..), I realized a long time ago something. You Have to Separate the Artist(s) from The Art; otherwise you may (for exe..) meet your favorite band, find out they're Total F's, and may think about that when you listen to the music again. Many out there like myself, Don't Care about artists private lives/their behavior..But MORE people unfortunately do. Othereise there wouldn't be Countless gossip blogs, sites, TV shows, ect; that are read/viewed by Millions and millions!! You know?
Many people out there DO Care, very much so, and record (and other art) companies and Industries Know this, therefore Do Care how their artists Images look. Its massive Irony here as This Series gets into that a Lot in the plot!, it's extremely realistic. Another example offhand was how Alice Cooper was portrayed in the series. He didn't seem like a totally Awful human being; but if you recall that episode, he wasn't exactly "nice" either by the end of the episode. I can't recall here but I THINK it was David Bowie in the series; he was actually portrayed as a pretty nice guy!..But remember when the female industry character, who was on a "higher social ladder," than the (in Bowie's eyes..) "nobody" male character she introduced him to. He ushered her aside and said something along the lines of (paraphrasing Big time here; just saying what he Meant to say.), "eh.., you and I should definitely meet up later..um don't bring this 'social nobody' along though please." Bassicly saying, he was a pretty nice guy, but Did Care about his Fame (more irony here.ha..), and didn't care to associate himself with a no-name loser. And I'm not saying Bowie (or Any artist I mention here) truly was a person like that; but the Series Portrayed him that way. The Velvet Underground were portrayed as pretty drugged out, pretentious people (as well as Andy Warhol and Co.., and yeah, I don't think the show was going out on a limb there.ha..btw I love a lot of Warhol's art!!), who were too aloof to be considered as "nice" or "mean" people. There's other examples of Real artists and how they were portrayed though the entire season. Even small comments such as Olivia Wylde's character (stating as a Fact..), to her lover she has tons of photos of Jimi Hendrix dressed in Her underwear, and other things that back Then would have been so taboo; if it were a Fact/pics of that came out in real life, it Would have made Hendrix lose Plenty of fans and, Record Sales.
Which is my point/Theory why I think "Vinyl" was Realy canceled. Major record companies didn't like the way "their" artists were being Portrayed in the series; ficticious or not!! They took artists from different/Rival companies are presented them the various ways in the series, and these companies were not going to let it continue to fly!! And YES, these Multi-Million dollar companies, Do have that kind of Power to get HBO to pull the plug. They probably just asked nicely to cancel it, as HBO is also a big company themself. (or part of one at least..probably Viacom; which owns Most TV networks..I mean you can look it up, I'm not just saying all this; it's Facts.) And they probably did just that!, or there Could've been a dispute; but the record companieS have way more power in the business world. They didn't want viewers to stop buying Led Zep cds or going to Alice Cooper concerts (for example..), they Refuse to loose Money!, it's Bussiness; Period!! And even though this highly successful HBO series here would make money off HBO buyers, Blurays, merch, ect; it's NOTHING compared to how much money just Led Zep makes off sales in Half a year!!
Even notice Some artists were "altered," and changed into Fictional Musicians for the series; the ones who were main characters, with deeper and more scandalous storylines. Like the character (sorry I forget some here; havn't watched the season sense it aired/was out; but need to/plan to here again soon..) that was Clearly a Hybrid of Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and some other artists. The punk band The Dirt Bits were also Clearly meant to be a hybrid of The Sex Pistols (mostly..), The Ramones, and other early pioneer punk rock bands. I always thought because Sex Pistols and some other artists were Totally "off limits" to portray/say the Real name(s) at all. The Beatles I Think were briefly Mentioned in conversation; but I'd Definitely say they were Totally off limits, even in future seasons.
Which unfortunately we never got, unless Netflix/ect picks the series back up. But sadly I think that would have already happened, and if my theory here about how the artists were portrayed Happens to be true; it Never will. But anyway, I've mentioned this whole rant/theory in conversation with other fans/viewers, who also realize some facts about the music industry, and thought I prob am/may be on to something here. Like I said this series was ccritically acclaimed Positively at first, then critics who praised it Highly, just stopped suddenly without Too good of reasons. And sure I even understand those reasons or "flaws," that is some critics/viewers opinions, even if my opinion differs. Opinions are fine and great to discuss/debate rationaly!! But just look here on the IMDB boards!, for every negative comment or thread, there's FAR more positive comments and Multiple threads Begging the series be brought back!! But anyway, of Course I could be wrong, but there's my personal Opinions and Theory on why the stellar (imo) series "Vinyl," was Truly canceled.
-deadpopstar
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