Teen Mom OG returned to the air on October 1, with one very obvious change:
Farrah Abraham is no longer a cast member.
She was fired in February and replaced by two additions: Bristol Palin and Cheyenne Floyd.
How did the Season 8 premiere fare without this controversial reality star on board?
Below, we relay the opening ratings and then we share Abraham’s calm, cool and collected reaction to how the program is doing thus far without her polarizing presence…
The New Cast
Here they are: Amber, Maci, Catelynn, Cheyenne and Bristol. MTV is banking on this quintet to draw in the ratings for Season 8.
Was the Premiere a Hit?
Based on buzz, maybe. The Internet wrote a lot about Bristol and her marital problems. Based on ratings, however? Well…
Under a Million Viewers Tuned In
According to Ratings by the Numbers, the Season 8 premiere drew in 957,000 viewers for its original airing at 9/8c on Monday, October 1.
Can We Compare This to The Season 7 Premiere?
Of course. On November 27, 2017 — a premiere that featured Abraham in all her Farrah glory – 1.319 million viewers were viewing MTV to see what these women were up to.
As for the Season 7 Finale?
That episode garnered 1.098 million viewers, meaning there was a pretty significant drop-off from those who were curious to see what Farrah was doing to those who tuned in for the debut of Bristol and Chyenne.
Was This Really a Reflection of Farrah Getting Fired?
We mean… perhaps. There’s no real way of knowing. But ratings across the board have been dropping on television as streaming services take off, viewers have more options and the use of DVR explodes.
What Did Farrah Say About the Season 8 Ratings?
She acknowledged the ever-changing small screen landscape and how the popularity of Netflix, for example, has made it difficult to show’s to climb in popularity on a yearly basis.
JUST KIDDING!
The occasional amateur porn star told Radar Online that she “isn’t surprised” by this result, explaining” “The producers were made my brand grew larger than the show” and that the women brought in to replace her simply can’t measure up.
Cry Me a River, Chyenne
Abraham honed in on Floyd and Palin and said: “The two Teen Mom groupies brought on still can’t bring better quality than I have. I did it all only own at 16. They’re coming in 10 years later. Having kids older isn’t much of a struggle.”
A Major Shot Fired?
Farrah went on to allege that “some couples [are] purposely having children to be on Teen Mom.” It’s safe to assume she isn’t talking about Bristol, who has three kids and who has been an established D-List celebrity for years. But Floyd? She only has a one-year old and she was formerly on MTV’s The Challenge.
This is Quite the Accusation
And there’s no real basis for it. Floyd and baby daddy Cory Wharton would have to have somehow been told that they’d be cast if they had a child… and also been willing to actually bring a kid into the world, simply to be cast on one season of a reality show.
Call Me, Producers!
“MTV needs to call me to make better TV,” Farrah continued, bringing the conversation back to herself. “Asking for real isn’t asking for much, so MTV can call me for another show. Oh wait, they already have!”
They Have?!?
Yes. Abraham is reportedly appearing on the new season of Ex on The Beach with former boyfriend Simon Saran.
What Has Farrah Said Previously About Her Replacements?
Nothing positive. “They’re Teen Mom, like, fans, and that’s fine if you are, but don’t go on my show that you watched, talk s—t about me, act like me, it’s like white Girl Interrupted,” she explained not long before the premiere.
And Also:
“There’s now a large gap of entertainment and success that I brought to the show… it’s just a joke.”
And One More Taunt:
More from Farrah prior to the Season 8 opener: “There’s no intelligence there and I actually feel like the Teen Mom fans deserve to have better people fill my position and they deserve to have better quality.” See, folks, she’s thinking only about YOU here.
Bristol Fires Back!
Asked about her role on Teen Mom and about the woman she is replacing, Palin told Jenny McCarthy on the latter’s radio show: “Girlfriend, you could not pay me to want to be anything like you. Honestly. No, I’m not trying to be like her. I can’t stand people like [her]. They are just searching for attention.”
Okay, So What Actually Went Down on the Season 8 Premiere?
A whole lot, especially when it comes to Bristol’s marriage and the issue of PTSD. Click right HERE to read all about it.
Where Will We See Farrah Next?
Inside a boxing ring. In Atlantic City. Doing battle with Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander on November 10. Sounds totally insane, but be honest: Aren’t you curious to see what transpires?