Netflix’s first live stand-up comedy special with Chris Rock was a raging success (emphasis on the “raging”) for everyone other than Jada Pinkett Smith and Will. Netflix’s planned live reunion for Season 4 of Love Is Blind, on the other hand, “did not turn out as we had planned,” according to a contrite tweet (which we’ll revisit soon) from the streamer.
Things got messy, alright, and yikes. Immediately before the planned Sunday live streaming event was due to launch, co-host Nick Lachey tweeted an enthused, “Who’s ready!?? #LoveIsBlindLIVE.”
Who’s ready!?? #LoveIsBlindLIVE pic.twitter.com/zLqJhhhsHF
— Nick Lachey (@NickLachey) April 16, 2023
This swiftly backfired when the scheduled airtime did not happen. A promised 15-minute delay then led to a longer wait, which turned into at least an hour. And that turned into the “Not Netflix” trend, which spread far and wide once it became apparent that the reunion would not make its advertised airtime.
Apparently not Netflix #LoveIsBlindLIVE https://t.co/yoM8TOGg7C
— Julitza (@JuliesPub) April 17, 2023
Not y’all #LoveIsBlindLIVE https://t.co/2tTGMvUBhT
— Pisces Groove (@brvd___) April 17, 2023
Everyone but y’all https://t.co/ywEc9R8EkA
— Shygirl (@shavann_) April 17, 2023
Breh.. are YOU ready ? https://t.co/YwD4Wo0xr7
— Noxeema Jackson (@prime_bee) April 17, 2023
As this happened, the Blockbuster social account took notice of Netflix’s original apology tweet when things began to go awry. Given that Netflix played a huge role in Blockbuster’s demise, they did not hesitate to cluck their virtual tongue: “Remember renting vhs’ from us. You could start it on time no problem… This is what we get.”
not blockbuster clawing their way out of the grave just to whack netflix.. oh i’d be embarrassed pic.twitter.com/Cjxc4rfntf
— wiLL (@willfulchaos) April 17, 2023
Remember renting vhs’ from us. You could start it on time no problem… This is what we get.
— Blockbuster (@blockbuster) April 17, 2023
This was followed by a “solidarity, bro” from Redbox.
solidarity, bro
— Redbox (@redbox) April 17, 2023
Not to mention a Little Fires Everywhere-themed reaction shot from Hulu.
— Hulu (@hulu) April 17, 2023
Not all the other streaming services logging in to drag Netflix pic.twitter.com/URSSeOClH6
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) April 17, 2023
The fiasco continued. As the tech troubles became apparent, the “Not Netflix” chorus duly began with viewers cracking jokes about “the true villain of season 4” and “the new Ticketmaster.” Ouch.
Not Netflix being the new Ticketmaster #LoveIsBlind pic.twitter.com/LH1SRKZWWy
— 𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒔⁷ 진구 () (@eristoyourpluto) April 17, 2023
Not Netflix coming in at the last possible second to become the true villain of season 4 #LoveIsBlind #LoveIsBlindLIVE
— sam || local cryptid (@pandoraspockz) April 17, 2023
Not Netflix trending for absolutely botching their super hyped live event #LoveIsBlindLIVE #LOVEISBLINDreunion pic.twitter.com/mvqsq5qYjI
— Mel (@MelLippert) April 17, 2023
Not Netflix crashing and burning for the live Love is Blind cast reunion. I blame Nick Lachey. pic.twitter.com/hjU8uPHf95
— Mimsy (@MimsyYamaguchi) April 17, 2023
My Netflix not working when the #LOVEISBLINDreunion is starting?? pic.twitter.com/Im9zE5aetV
— kenny (@12kny) April 17, 2023
not me using twitter for the first time in 2 years just to check if my netflix is acting up or if love is blind really has us this committed to disappointment #LOVEISBLINDreunion #LoveisBlind4
— bree (@_breeannie) April 17, 2023
me looking at my Netflix screen rn#LoveIsBlindLIVE #loveisblind pic.twitter.com/Tcz47ynleE
— gorgeous (@FBII____) April 17, 2023
Me instantly running to twitter to see if my Netflix is trash or if it crashed. Answer found. #LoveIsBlind
— Nykki | UGC Creator (@Nykkisayss) April 17, 2023
MY NETFLIX IS STILL NOT LOADING FOR THE LOVE IS BLIND REUNION FUCK pic.twitter.com/mpq70fK3Qr
— alex (@userctrI) April 17, 2023
Everyone and their moms are trying to watch the live Love Is Blind reunion and it’s crashing my Netflix! I need to see how Wacky Jackie is going to attempt to redeem herself
— Nia (@titaniaxeno) April 17, 2023
Literally came to twitter to make sure my Netflix wasn’t the only one still loading #LoveIsBlindLIVE #LoveIsBlind
— Ariel (@arielangelita) April 17, 2023
Did #Netflix really plan a live reunion, and then not plan for all of us to be on its platform at the same time? #LoveIsBlindLIVE
— Breaking Narratives (@MoogsieB) April 17, 2023
did Netflix crash when I’m tryna tune in to Love is Blind live reunion????! pic.twitter.com/ZCyKU3H7gw
— 𝒌𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒚 (@KaylynChanel) April 17, 2023
why did netflix think that they could spontaneously do a live stream for one of the biggest show on the platform and think that sht would go smooth KNOWING millions of people gonna be tuned in at one time ???? #LOVEISBLINDreunion pic.twitter.com/EROXPErAk6
— 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐞 (@KINDAFENTY) April 17, 2023
Not Netflix crashing when Love is Blind Live Reunion is about to start! pic.twitter.com/8H3exH2QHd
— Soul King (@SoulKingLives) April 17, 2023
Not Netflix crashing when the love is blind reunion is supposed to air in 1 minute pic.twitter.com/7bEQlXfFRf
— maya (@mayaalsoifra) April 17, 2023
Finally, Netflix did air the reunion as a filmed version, and they apologized “[t]o everyone who stayed up late, woke up early, gave up their Sunday afternoon… we are incredibly sorry that the Love is Blind Live Reunion did not turn out as we had planned.” Whew.
To everyone who stayed up late, woke up early, gave up their Sunday afternoon… we are incredibly sorry that the Love is Blind Live Reunion did not turn out as we had planned. We’re filming it now and we’ll have it on Netflix as soon as humanly possible. Again, thank you and…
— Netflix (@netflix) April 17, 2023