Sorry, Mark S., there's a new employee of the month over at Apple HQ, and unfortunately, Lumin Industries could have some major competition. As the streaming wars continue to bubble over and we decide which services make the cut in terms of monthly subscription, Apple is doing its best to prove that Apple TV is worth your $12.99.
Starting strong with the likes of The Morning Show, Apple has continued to earn critical and commercial praise for Silo, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, Down Cemetery Road, and more. Still, there are two that have galloped ahead of the rest of the pack, with Severance and Pluribus being kooky sci-fi spectacles that we can't get enough of.
While their plots couldn't be more different, at least the pair have achingly long waits between seasons in common. Even though we're bummed that it'll likely be a long time until Pluribus is back for season 2, we doubt those in charge are too fussed when they look at the numbers.
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Coming from the brilliant mind of Vince Gilligan, Pluribus is a very different beast from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, although the latter's Rhea Seehorn takes the lead as Carol Sturka. Critics and viewers alike can't seem to get enough of Pluribus, and while there are still two episodes left in its nine-episode freshman run, we already know it's confirmed for season 2.
Gilligan has outlined his plans for a hopeful three seasons of Pluribus, and if it's anything like Breaking Bad, it could be on an upward trajectory.
Things are already looking pretty rosy, as dethroning the Ben Stiller-produced Severance, Pluribus is officially Apple's most-watched TV show ever.
Announcing the news alongside a typically stoic video of Seehorn's Carol plucked from the latest episode of Pluribus, Apple thanked the grouchy lead of its latest hit series.
Apple doesn't reveal how it's measuring things, and considering only seven episodes of Pluribus have aired, it's unclear how it's overtaken Severance.
While Netflix has moved away from its previously secretive method of refusing to release viewing figures, Disney+ is somewhat inconsistent with its own approach, and Apple TV keeps everything under wraps.
As for being Apple’s most-watched series, it’s still an honor that goes hand in hand with its glowing critical scores.
Unfortunately, while Pluribus boasts an almost perfect 98% from critics, audiences are feeling a little more lukewarm to it. Mainly accusing the show of moving 'too slowly', Pluribus' audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is a much lover 68%.
Despite a few grumbles, it seems you're still tuning in every week to see Carol's downward spiral. Also, for those complaining that Pluribus is 'slow', remember that Breaking Bad was something of a slow burn that still made one of its best episodes out of someone chasing a fly in a lab.
With Severance reportedly costing an eye-watering $15 million per episode to make, and season 2 quickly being given the green light after the series started airing, it's good news that the gamble appears to be paying off.
Now, it's over to Severance season 3 to see if it can reclaim the crown.