It's been five months since Jenelle Evans was fired by MTV.
But since Teen Mom 2 was on hiatus at the time, we're only now finding out how the show will fare without its primary source of drama.
So far, it seems the answer is - not well. Not well at all.
According to The Ashley's Reality Roundup, ratings have been on the decline for years, but have taken a particularly sharp dive of late.
In fact, they've suffered their most significant drop yet in the first episodes of Season 9B ... a.k.a. the first episodes without Jenelle.
Can the show survive without its most infamous star? Will the numbers drop so low that MTV will be forced to try and win her back?
Even if that happened, does Jenelle have any interest in returning to the reality TV franchise that made her famous ... and infamous?
Here's what we know about the situation thus far:
1. The End of an Era
Yes, after nearly a decade on camera, three children and more ups and downs than we can even count, Jenelle Evans is no longer a Teen Mom 2 cast member. And it seems the show is already suffering without its most marketable star.
2. A Controversial Star
Jenelle was liked by many viewers, and even those who hated her loved to watch her. In fact, based on social media comments, it often felt as though the only thing preventing some viewers from fast-forwarding through Jenelle's scenes was the joy of "hate-watching."
3. The Nugget Incident
Over the years, producers put up with a LOT of unseemly behavior from the Carolina Hurricane over the years, but they finally drew the line when she defended her husband after he beat, shot, and killed her French bulldog puppy, Nugget.
4. Put Out to Pasture
Following that horrifying incident (and the ensuing CPS investigation that briefly cost Evans' custody of her kids), MTV executives basically did to Jenelle's career what David did to Nugget.
5. Good Riddance?
To the immense satisfaction of many viewers fed up with her nonsense, Jenelle was fired from the show that made her famous. And since David had already been canned by producers, the Evans-Eason era was officially at an end.
6. The Last Laugh?
Now, however, it seems that Teen Mom 2 and MTV might miss all those viewers who tuned in just to jeer at Jenelle - whether they loved her or loved to hate her.
