In yet another episode of Elon Musk vs. the Universe, the billionaire tech mogul has added another media outlet to his ever-growing list of enemies. This time, it’s ABC, the venerable network that brought you The Bachelor and Dancing With the Stars, now receiving Musk’s signature blend of disdain and dismissal.
The latest drama unfolded after Musk pulled the plug on his highly anticipated exclusive show with ABC, calling the network “a disgrace to the media industry.” Of course, the phrase “disgrace to the media industry” might not sting so much coming from a guy who once tweeted a poop emoji at the head of a rival car company, but Musk’s words have certainly sent ripples through both Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
The now-canceled show, tentatively titled Elon’s Space Odyssey, was set to be the next big thing in television. Imagine a blend of Survivor, Shark Tank, and Star Trek—all rolled into one, with Musk himself as the central figure guiding viewers through the wonders of space exploration, advanced AI, and his bizarre love for memes. The premise was simple: contestants would compete for a spot on a future SpaceX mission to Mars, where the ultimate prize was to become the first influencer on the Red Planet.
According to sources close to the production, the show was also going to feature behind-the-scenes footage of Musk’s latest ventures, including his attempts to build a space colony, underground hyperloop tunnels, and an all-electric flamethrower. Essentially, it was Musk’s dream come to life: a showcase of his genius and his ambition to take humanity to the stars—all neatly packaged for prime-time TV.
So why did Musk suddenly pull the plug? What could possibly have gone wrong in this made-for-TV match made in heaven?
As with most things involving Elon Musk, the reasons are both mysterious and dramatic. The billionaire initially remained tight-lipped, but when he finally decided to speak out, he did so in the most Musk way possible: a series of cryptic tweets followed by a bombshell interview.
“ABC is a disgrace to the media industry,” Musk tweeted. “I expected better from a network that’s supposed to inform and inspire. Instead, they just sell garbage.”
The public immediately exploded with speculation. Was Musk upset over ABC’s editorial decisions? Did they want to tone down his grandiose visions of interplanetary conquest? Or did they dare to fact-check one of his famous rants about the dangers of AI overlords?
In a subsequent interview, Musk elaborated on his frustrations with the network, claiming they were more interested in ratings and corporate pandering than showcasing real innovation. “They wanted more drama, less science,” Musk explained. “They wanted me to turn the show into some cheap reality TV competition. This was supposed to be about humanity’s future, not just another cash grab for prime-time advertising dollars.”
According to sources inside ABC, Musk’s vision for the show clashed with the network’s desire for something more digestible for mainstream audiences. “Elon had grand ideas about space colonization, hyperloop cities, and AI symphonies,” said one producer. “But ABC wanted more of an American Idol vibe with people crying about their dreams to go to Mars. Elon wasn’t having it.”
Predictably, ABC has denied Musk’s claims, though the damage was already done. The network quickly released a statement, trying to downplay the incident: “While we had hoped to collaborate with Mr. Musk on an exciting and groundbreaking project, creative differences led to the unfortunate decision to end the partnership. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Translation? “Elon Musk is more trouble than he’s worth, and we’d rather cut our losses now.”
But no amount of PR spin could keep the story from snowballing. Musk’s legions of devoted fans took to social media to trash the network, accusing ABC of squandering the chance to work with a modern-day genius. Some even called for a boycott of the network, launching the hashtag #BanABC, which quickly trended on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, Musk’s critics delighted in his latest meltdown. “Of course Musk couldn’t handle it,” one detractor tweeted. “The guy’s ego is bigger than SpaceX’s rocket boosters. He probably wanted to film the whole thing on Mars next week.”
With his ABC deal now dead, the question on everyone’s mind is: What’s next for Elon Musk’s space show? Will it ever see the light of day? According to some insiders, Musk has already started shopping the idea around to streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and even his own company, Tesla Vision (yes, apparently Tesla has a streaming service now—don’t ask).
Given Musk’s unpredictable nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if he took the show to a completely different level. Rumors are swirling that Musk has approached Amazon’s Jeff Bezos about producing Elon’s Space Odyssey through Amazon Prime Video, setting the stage for what could be the biggest tech-giant collaboration since Apple and Microsoft buried the hatchet.
Or perhaps Musk will take matters into his own hands. After all, this is the man who bought Twitter on a whim, so producing his own space show on an entirely new platform isn’t outside the realm of possibility. Imagine a Musk-branded streaming service, where subscribers pay $8 a month for exclusive access to SpaceX launches, Tesla factory tours, and, of course, a 24-hour feed of Musk’s latest meme collection.
One thing’s for sure: wherever Musk’s show lands, it’ll be the talk of the town.
Whether or not Musk’s allegations are fair, one thing is clear: the man knows how to make headlines. By publicly lambasting ABC, Musk has once again positioned himself as the fearless truth-teller standing up to corporate media giants. His fans see him as a visionary who refuses to compromise, while his critics see him as a drama magnet who can’t help but stir the pot.
In the grand scheme of things, Musk’s attack on ABC is just the latest in his ongoing war with what he sees as traditional, old-school media. From calling out journalists to launching Twitter tirades, Musk has never shied away from expressing his disdain for any institution that he believes isn’t keeping up with his vision for the future.
So, is ABC really a disgrace to the media industry, as Musk claims? Probably not. But in the age of Musk, where reality often feels like a sci-fi movie, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that Elon Musk’s next big idea—whether it’s space travel, neural links, or even a new media empire—will continue to make waves and challenge the status quo.
And as for ABC? Well, they’ll just have to live with the fact that they lost the man who put a car in space.