Pete Davidson has opened up about the aftermath of his decision to cancel his Peacock series Bupkis, revealing the complex challenges he faced. The 30-year-old comedian discussed the situation during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club, where he also touched on his struggles with sobriety and the pressures of living in the public eye. His reflections highlighted the tension between creative control and industry expectations in the entertainment business.
Creative Differences Led to the Show’s End
Although Bupkis was inspired by Davidson’s own experiences, external influences began shifting the show’s direction in ways he found uncomfortable. He explained how new contributors proposed storylines that pushed boundaries he was unwilling to cross.
“This new person came and was like: ‘I think Pete should be banging Martha Stewart this season, I think Pete should have more mental issues.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, but I wouldn’t do that.’ And they were like, ‘Well, Pete the character [would].’ And I was like, ‘I can’t do this,’”
Pete revealed.
He further expressed that if he wanted to be taken seriously in other projects, he couldn’t remain confined to playing exaggerated versions of himself.
“If I want any shot in being in real movies or being seen a certain way, I can’t just play myself all the time and be this sack,”
he said. These creative conflicts contributed to his decision to end the show despite his affection for it.
NBCUniversal’s Response and Industry Impact
Pete acknowledged that NBCUniversal was displeased with his choice to cancel Bupkis, which strained his relationship with the company.
“They were not pleased. Have you seen me in any NBCUniversal [project since]? They were upset. I cost people jobs and I took care of the writers’ room and anyone who didn’t get paid that needed to, I took care of it — which also hurt,”
he stated. Having worked with the company for more than a decade and contributed significantly to its success, Davidson found the backlash painful and disillusioning.
However, he indicated that the tension eventually eased.
“No, I think we’re cool. I talk to everyone over there now and we’re cool. There was a little time where there was some heat and it wasn’t all good … and I understand why, but it just hurt because it was a place I worked for over a decade,”
he shared.
Moving Forward and Shifting Perceptions
Davidson conveyed that his image within the industry is evolving, partly due to new projects and efforts to reshape how he is viewed professionally. Collaborating on an ad campaign with Reformation helped him “start to switch the narrative” and be recognized as a more mature figure in entertainment. Currently, he stars alongside Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer in the Prime Video film The Pickup and is set to appear with Nicholas Hoult in How to Rob a Bank, directed by David Leitch.
This period of reflection marks a turning point for Davidson as he reassesses his career trajectory and personal boundaries. His candid remarks offer insight into the often unseen struggles entertainers face when balancing public expectations with authentic self-expression.
