‘Poppa’s House’ Finale: Poppa-Ivy Romance Might’ve Been Major Part of Season 2
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for the Poppa’s House Season 1 finale, “Magic Shine Again.”]
The Poppa’s House Season 1 finale ended on a major romantic cliffhanger between its leads. After they spent the season slowly getting closer, the finale culminated in Poppa (Damon Wayans Sr.) and Ivy (Essence Atkins) ready to admit their romantic feelings for each other. Their timing, however, was off, resulting in missed chances. But the episode’s final moment proved that Poppa’s House intended to dive into this potential couple in Season 2. Sadly, Poppa’s House was canceled by CBS on April 22, less than one week before its first finale would air. Unless the show is able to be saved by another network or streamer (and some fans are hoping that’s possible), the Poppa’s House Season 1 finale serves as its series finale, cutting off a central romance just as it was beginning.
Poppa was ready to admit his attraction to Ivy early in the episode. He told son Junior (Damon Wayans Jr.) of his grand gesture designed to make Ivy feel desired and courted. He would rent a limo and take Ivy out to a romantic dinner after gifting her her favorite flowers and a handwritten note confessing his feelings. Just as his plan was kicking off, Ivy revealed that she rekindled her relationship with her ex-husband, David (played by Walker‘s Coby Bell, a former costar of Atkins’). Comedically unlucky timing resulted in Ivy thinking David got her the flowers and the card and planned the date, and Poppa played along to respect Ivy’s desire to get back with her ex, even though he knew David was wrong for her.
Ivy returned to Poppa’s home after the date and revealed that she knew he wrote the moving card and planned the entire evening. Another stroke of bad timing brought Poppa’s ex, Lola (Tamia DeVea Black), back into his sphere. Lola asked to get back together, not realizing that Ivy was in the room. Like Poppa did with David, Ivy walked away to respect what she thought Poppa wanted. The finale ended with Poppa watching Ivy leave, a clear look of conflict on his face as he struggled to make a decision between Ivy and Lola. Now, it’s likely that fans will never see what he would’ve done next, but Atkins previously hinted to TV Insider that Ivy’s love life was going to be explored in-depth in a potential Poppa’s House Season 2.
Sonja Flemming / CBS
Atkins agreed that Poppa and Ivy would make a good couple because the best relationships start as friendships. At the time of this interview, which was connected to David’s debut episode (Season 1 Episode 13), Atkins of course knew the plan for this storyline but couldn’t share it. She did say, however, that “it’s a journey that the audience will enjoy because the development of their relationship, I feel, has been particularly authentic in that it hasn’t felt rushed.”
“Like, oh, we hate each other, now we love each other, and now we’re best friends. Over the course of the season, you are seeing two people get to know one another, two people develop a congenial work environment initially, and then crossing over into genuine friendship and confidant,” Atkins said at the time. “I will say that you need to watch and see how the relationship develops, and I think that the audience will love it.”
“There have been lots of ideas thrown around for what the evolution of that relationship looks like, and there’s some really great ideas on the table,” Atkins said of the Poppa-Ivy potential in a would-be Season 2. “And also just what I love is that as silly as we are on the show and as broad as the show gets in terms of a comedic flare, there is always grounded in it the heart of a story that comes from a real place. And so that will be maintained no matter what.”
Ivy, a psychologist, works with couples in her professional life and has a history of giving relationship advice that encourages a woman’s independence and commitment to respect from her partner. This stemmed from Ivy’s unhealthy relationship with David, who never treated her right. Much of her character development was rooted in letting herself be vulnerable and open to love again, as she explained in the finale. Poppa, she realized, is the person who was making that feel possible. Atkins hoped to explore this more in a second season.
Sonja Flemming / CBS
“For me, I just hope to watch [Ivy] unravel and put herself back together again. I think Ivy is very much in her Humpty Dumpty phase. I can’t wait to see her fall completely apart and realize the value in exposure and realize the value of having your innards exposed and seeing who’s there to cover you and who’s there to help put yourself back together,” she explained. “That’s what I hope for Ivy, because I think that’s a story that everyone can latch onto, and at least if they haven’t experienced it themselves, they know somebody who has fallen apart.”
What did you think of the Poppa’s House finale? Were you hoping to see these colleagues-turned-friends fall in love? Let us know in the comments section, below.
Poppa’s House, Season 1, Streaming on Paramount+
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Comments are closed on this story.
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R
Love the finale just hate they not coming back so sad and disappointed!
26 1
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G
It's not too late to save Poppa's House! Everyone flood CBS with emails, text about the show! S.W.A.T. was cancelled 3 times and thanks to fan support CBS broght it back
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B
How do you email them I wasn’t able to find a link
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G
Say it ain't so....I was sad to read that CBS is looking to cancel Poppa's House after one season. The show makes you smile and Damon Wayans, Sr. is funny and talented. If everything is ratings based, perhaps consider a different night / time slot, as opposed to canceling the show.
24 2
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B
CBS sucks. They are always cancelling shows that are popular. Poppa’s House was finding its footings as a new show and I was looking forward to season two. I will not be watching any new shows on CBS. No need to waste time and get invested.
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O
The Wayans are extraordinarily talented. I love the chemistry between Father and Son, also the family dynamics. Once again, CBS fails to understand what they have. In a time full of Fear and uncertainty, the Wayans are exactly what we need. I am so close to leaving CBS behind.
Especially after reading the article that said that the two canceled FBI's are in the top ten ranked shows. Whomever is making these senseless decisions to cancel two of the FBI's, Blue Bloods, Poppa's House, S.W.A.T., etc., needs top have their head examined/be fired. Who are you presenting these shows for, and why do you not care what the shows' audiences want? And in light of that, why should we invest our time and interests in any new shows only to have them also yanked away.
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G
CBS sucks for canceling another quality show.
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O
The season finale was great! It’s a crying shame that they won’t get to explore this direction further. CBS sure likes to cancel shows.
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C
Love this show. Hate it's not come back. Would have liked to see their relationship grow, if they did get together then I'd be agraid for the show. Because they made a commitment to eschother. The chase made the show work
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B
So sad they cancelled the show it was very funny. I hope another network picks it up.
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I thought this show wasn't going to be good but to my surprise I'm hooked and now they're talking about cancelling it. No where can we protest I want more. I love this program I get excited knowing I'm going to watch another episode. Come on somebody pick this show up. CBS you're making a big mistake whoever picks this sitcom up is going to profit big time. Like me, CBS you're not giving it a chance. I'm glad I finally did.
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I want season 2,3,4,5 +, this is one of the best shows on television. I love watching it. I look forward to it coming on. I’m so upset that they are not going to renew. I hope somebody picks it up or someone reconsiders and renews. I love love love this show. Finally a family, friendly funny non-vulgar non-nonviolent show that people can actually enjoy and relate to. I even rewatch it because it’s so entertaining and I tell everyone about it. Someone please save this show!!!!!!!!
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I think they should go to another channel like cable channel. It would be the best move. People will watch it. It’s not fair to end it with a cliff hanger. A lot of shows end that way. But this is one of the shows that should continue. This show do not suck like the other shows that only have one season. Please think about coming back ur fans love u guys! Great family show!
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C
Wish it could be a second season awesome 🤩 show 👍👍
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R
the show is so funny i don’t get it i’m so annoyed it’s cancelled
2
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R
I love that show it is funny, it’s not right they keep cutting off good shows that didn’t even give the show a chance with only 1 season. Some people didn’t even know about the show on CBS
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I wish poppa House season 2 will be shown so I can see how this relationship turns out ! A Black show always gets the boot when it's a good show it never really gets a chance to show it's real potential give it a season 2 then check the rates! 💯🙏🏽♥️
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B
I love this show I love to see if lvy and poppa get together or not I would love the show to back for season 2 I can't believe CBS cancel this show please bring it back
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O
I sure hope Poppa's House gets picked up by another network or a streaming outlet. I sure enjoyed watching father and son working together.
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O
Love love this show !!! Please bring it back !! We need more happy good comedy like this show
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G
I a. Praying another network picks it up! We love this show!
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O
Damon!! Please take your talents to a network that appreciates you & your LEGACY. This family has been iconic. Poppa’s House CANNOT end here! Honestly, didn’t really watch much on Paramount+ but I searched for this & actually started watching CBS live local. If this show leaves, I’ll follow because ‘we’ need it. I love it for them. This was a sweet slow burn. I love that Ivy became best friends with his daughter-in-law in an organic way. I love the Father/Son dynamic. The Vivica Fox episode was my favorite. Hilarious.
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C
Yes I hope it does come back for a season 2 or someone else buys it off to another channel y cancel when it's getting good at least finish it off don't keep us hanging.
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P
it's really upsetting that you have cancelled this show, it is funny, an a great show honestly this show is better than the neighborhood
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C
I truly hate that they didn't give this show more of a chance.
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G
https://help.cbs.com/s/contactsupport I complained at this site. I encourage everyone to do the same
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G
I love, love Poppa’s House… what is going on at CBS? It is funny and shows the true depth of each character. I pray the show gets picked up by another network or Streaming outlet. I want Poppa and Ivy together!!!!!
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B
Would've loved to see a relationship explored between Poppa and Ivy. I liked the way the finale was heading. It's a shame CBS lost faith in the show. Hope another network picks it up and it does better than it did on CBS.
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