TLC’s look into the everyday lives of Michigan-based Muslims was a short one. The network confirms that “All-American Muslim” won’t return for a second season.
The eight-episode docu-series followed five families in Dearborn, Michigan, depicting how they balance their faith and customs with their average American lifestyle.
TLC didn’t offer more information as to why the series won’t return, although some cast members told the Detroit Free Press that they were told the decision was made based on ratings.
When it premiered in November, “All-American Muslim” attracted 1.7 million viewers, according to the Hollywood Reporter, only to see those ratings tumble to 900,000 viewers for the season finale.
“All-American Muslim” was also at the center of controversy when critics like the Florida Family Association claimed that the reality show was “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.”
The retailer Lowe’s pulled its advertising from the program in December following what the company said was “a significant amount of communication from every perspective possible” regarding the show.
“Individuals and groups have strong political and social views on this topic, and this program became a lightning rod for many of those views,” Lowe’s said at the time. “As a result we did pull our advertising on this program. We believe it best to defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance.”
Despite backlash, Lowe’s stood firm on its decision, explaining, “We did not pull our ads based solely on the complaints or emails of any one group. It is never our intent to alienate anyone. Lowe’s values diversity of thought in everyone, including our employees and prospective customers.”