Courteney Cox in Underrated Horror Show on HBO Max

hat’s totally haunted. Described by /Film’s Valerie Ettenhofer as “a zany and macabre exploration of the intersections between inspiration and destruction,” the show ran for two exciting seasons before it was unfortunately canceled by Starz. Adding salt to the wound, Starz removed the show entirely from its streaming platform, leaving fans in a lurch.
The situation highlighted one of the pitfalls of the streaming era. While streaming services offer convenience, they also come with the risk of shows disappearing suddenly. Case in point, the abrupt removal of “Westworld” from HBO Max in 2022 left fans reeling. However, there was a silver lining to “Shining Vale’s” cancelation as HBO Max swooped in to purchase the series, preserving it for fans to enjoy.
In a 2022 interview with Variety, Courteney Cox expressed her enthusiasm for “Shining Vale,” citing her love for dark, psychological films like “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Shining.” Cox saw potential in the series and hoped it would have a long run, comparing her gut feeling to when she first started on “Friends.” Critics praised the show, even suggesting that it could earn Cox the Emmy she’s long deserved. However, despite the show’s exciting premise and potential, it failed to garner the viewership and support needed to continue. Co-creator Jeff Astrof voiced his disappointment at the cancelation but expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring the Phelps family saga to life over two thrilling seasons.