AceShowbiz - After a long wait and much anticipation, the third and final season of Euphoria has returned to HBO, drawing significant attention from viewers. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the show’s latest season has captivated audiences, with over 8.5 million viewers tuning into the premiere within the first three days across all platforms.

The new season jumps ahead five years from where Season 2 left off, following Rue Bennett (played by Zendaya) and her circle as they move beyond their high school days at East Highland High and navigate the complexities of adulthood. With the season finale set to air at the end of May, the show’s momentum remains strong.

However, on HBO Max, there’s another series that has been steadily gaining traction and providing formidable competition in the streaming arena. In March, the comedy-drama Rooster debuted, created by Bill Lawrence, known for his work on Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking. Since its launch, Rooster has been warmly received by both viewers and critics, earning a Certified Fresh score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The series stars Steve Carell as Greg Russo, a writer whose life becomes intertwined with his daughter Katie’s as he unexpectedly immerses himself in the academic environment of the liberal arts college where she works. Katie is portrayed by Charly Clive. What begins as a brief guest speaker visit quickly turns into Greg living on campus alongside Katie, as he tries to support her through a deeply personal crisis within this confined and intimate setting.

Leading into the Season 1 finale scheduled for this Sunday, Rooster has surged to the #2 spot on HBO Max’s U.S. streaming charts. It has surpassed popular shows such as Hacks and maintained a lead over Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and The Pitt. This strong performance is no surprise given that since its premiere, Rooster has consistently ranked within the top three series on the platform.

On the cable network, the first four episodes of Rooster averaged 5.8 million U.S. viewers, putting it on track to become the most-watched freshman comedy on HBO in over a decade. These impressive numbers have already secured a renewal for Season 2, which will shift focus to Greg and Katie’s evolving relationship during the spring semester at Ludlow College.

The success of Rooster underscores the continued demand for fresh, relatable content that blends humor with emotional depth, a balance that Bill Lawrence has mastered throughout his career. Meanwhile, Euphoria continues to capture attention with its dramatic and gritty storytelling, ensuring that HBO Max viewers have a diverse range of high-quality programming to choose from.

As both series progress, their parallel success highlights the dynamic landscape of streaming television, where new comedies can rise quickly to challenge established dramas, keeping audiences engaged across genres and platforms.