Steve Carell and Tina Fey's The Four Seasons dethrones You on Netflix with 11.9M views in 4 days. A dramedy hit and a sign of shifting streaming habits.
In a surprising twist that showcases the unpredictable nature of streaming success, Steve Carell and Tina Fey have done the unthinkable: dethroned Netflix’s popular thriller You with their new comedy-drama The Four Seasons just four days after its release. The limited series, a heartfelt and humorous remake of the 1981 film starring Alan Alda and Carol Burnett, has skyrocketed to the top of the Netflix charts with an impressive 11.9 million views.
While the final season of You had long been awaited and was projected to dominate viewership, it fell short in the face of The Four Seasons‘ charm and star power. As reported by Variety, You Season 5 managed 10.1 million views in its first four days and 10.9 million over a full week—figures that, under any other circumstance, would have cemented its supremacy. Yet, Fey and Carell’s project clearly struck a chord with audiences hungry for a more grounded, emotional narrative.
A Star-Studded Dramedy With a Simple, Timeless Premise
The Four Seasons reunites viewers with a recognizable yet fresh ensemble. Alongside Carell and Fey, the series stars Colman Domingo and Will Forte as part of three married couples who vacation together throughout the year. The plot thickens when one couple announces a divorce, sending shockwaves through decades of friendship.
Though the premise may seem simple, it’s the nuance in storytelling and performance that gives The Four Seasons its emotional weight. According to USA Today, Tina Fey called it “a thrill to spend a day on set with Alan Alda,” who makes a nostalgic cameo, bridging past and present in a subtle homage to the original. The series debuted with a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes before settling into a still-impressive Certified Fresh 77%, signaling both critical and audience approval.
The show’s balance of wit and poignancy, especially within themes of aging, love, and friendship, clearly resonated with viewers. Fey and her co-creators Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield have delivered a narrative that is both timely and timeless.
Netflix’s Success, But Also Its Flaw
While the triumph of The Four Seasons deserves celebration, it also sheds light on a recurring issue with the streaming model: the long waits between seasons. You, once a cultural juggernaut, suffered from a more than two-year gap between its fourth and fifth seasons. As momentum wanes, so too does viewer engagement.
Despite You‘s cultural imprint and the undeniable charisma of Penn Badgley, its final chapter arrived with less fanfare than expected. In contrast, the buzz surrounding The Four Seasons was amplified by its standalone structure and the magnetism of its cast. The show didn’t ask viewers to remember intricate past plotlines—just to enjoy a poignant story well told.
This incident signals a shift in viewer priorities. As platforms flood with content and delays become the norm, loyalty can falter. Star-studded one-shots like The Four Seasons may begin to dominate the streaming conversation if they continue to deliver immediate impact with minimal commitment.
Is the Streaming Model Due for a Redesign?
The Four Seasons‘ swift ascent and You‘s subdued finale offer more than just viewership statistics; they point to a possible reckoning within the streaming ecosystem. How long can shows ask audiences to wait before interest fades? How can series maintain momentum when competition is constant and content consumption is increasingly rapid?
As binge culture continues to define the digital entertainment landscape, shows like The Four Seasons may become the new gold standard. Self-contained, emotionally rich, and expertly cast, they cater to a generation that values quality over continuity.
Whether Netflix will adjust its release strategy remains to be seen. For now, both The Four Seasons and You Season 5 are available for streaming, offering a perfect snapshot of where the industry is—and where it might be heading.
