Spike TV Is Going off the Air and Their Twitter Is Having a Meltdown
By Mustafa GatollariNov. 18 2019, Updated 2:15 p.m. ET
Spike TV began as a "man" network that was filled with whatever cheap-to-air action films it could get its hands on, Cops, a bunch of terrible reality shows, and the occasional early UFC card back in the day.
But because of a gradual ratings drop, and a 20 percent nosedive of viewers who stopped tuning in in 2017, Spike TV's officially done and being rebranded at the Paramount Network. A statement also explained that the network was hoping to bring in more female viewers, who were seemingly put off by the man-centric branding.
All in all, seems like an exciting update — but there was at least one person who was not having it.
ICYMI: Spike TV is dead as of Thursday. It's rebranding at the Paramount Network. #TCA18 #ParamountNetwork
— Chris E. Hayner (@ChrisHayner) January 15, 2018
And that would be the TV station's social media manager, who apparently isn't taking the news too well, as evidenced by him/her firing off a series of strange, revealing, hilarious and straight-up irreverent tweets.
It's a truly beautiful Twitter meltdown.
Welp, since I’m outta here anyway I might as well tell you all the things I’ve been holding in for the past 18 years. Brace yourself bros. Shit’s about to get real. #GoodbyeSpike #SpikeUnfiltered
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
They started by insulting everyone who works there.
There’s a reason all our early shows were CSI, UFC, TNA, MXC, UTI. No one around here knew how to read.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
And they weren't afraid to get personal.
The “get more action” tagline was actually my personal mantra. I was in a 3 month dry spell.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
I mean, I'd watch that version of a show.
I honestly thought catch a contractor was a show about STDs.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
The logo is pretty terrible, IMO.
I hated all my logos, but this last one looks like a tattoo design from a rejected Ink Master contestant.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
Episode for reference, please.
I lost my virginity in one of the storage spaces from Auction Hunters.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
Eww.
I clogged up the 4th stall in the 7th floor men’s room over 30 times last year.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
The pettiness was off the charts.
I gave my entire staff empty gift cards as parting gifts because fuck them and their joy.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
I remember hating the commercials for this.
We had a show called The Joe Schmo Show. Apparently every decent show name was taken.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
It's true, it should just be called the Cops channel.
My favorite number is 329 because it’s the number of times COPS is on every night.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
I learned from COPS that the best way to get out of a speeding ticket is to have something illegal in the car. I’m not sure how you get out of that felony charge though. #GoodbyeSpike #SpikeUnfiltered
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
I mean it is kind of cool that they have such a laid back pitch procedure.
Now that @spike is melting down on Twitter, now's a good time to mention that me and @tipado got a TV pilot by DMing them "we make cool stuff, you should let us make cool stuff with you"
— Jason Nawara (@JasonNawara) January 16, 2018
One of my never fail pick up lines is "Hey, do you like cool shit?"... cause everyone likes cool shit.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
They also took it as an opportunity to air other grievances about show particulars.
I was extremely disappointed when Stripperella had no nudity. I aired that show solely based off the name and the potential for frontal. #GoodbyeSpike #SpikeUnfiltered
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
I wish Deadliest Warrior had more nunchucks.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
People can't believe that the tweets are still up.
Spike TV learning you never piss off the guy with the Twitter password
— ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ (@SchuckJH) January 16, 2018
But honestly, gems like this should be left up for all the internet to see.
The Church of Scientology kicked ME out. Sit with that a moment.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 16, 2018
I knew those were all BS.
I was baked when I pitched 1000 Ways to Die. Those episodes are mostly based on my nightmares.
— SPIKE (@spike) January 17, 2018
I never thought rebranding would be one of the 1000 ways to die. I’m out. PEACE!
— SPIKE (@spike) January 17, 2018
I would love to work with this guy.
And of course, it's worth knowing that the tweets are from a fictional character; the network is, of course, in on the jokes. Red Fabbri, Spike TV’s vice president of fan engagement and editorial, told Adweek, “He’s confronting an existential crisis, having a bit of a meltdown in public," in reference to the account's recent tweets. “Like someone might in the modern workplace if they got handed a pink slip.”
Seems accurate, no?