Tyler Perry is getting real. The entertainment mogul’s Tyler Perry Studios has partnered with Asylum Entertainment Group in a joint venture to create and produce unscripted content. As part of the news, Antoinetta Stallings has been named vice president of unscripted programming for Tyler Perry Studios.
Under the new deal, Tyler Perry Studios and Asylum will co-develop, co-produce and distribute unscripted programming.
“I’m excited to bring the world of unscripted content to Tyler Perry Studios,” Perry said in a statement. “We’ve never tapped into this area of entertainment before and we’re looking forward to working closely with Asylum to bring unique real world stories to life. I’m also proud to recognize the work that Antoinetta has been doing at the studio and promote her to this position of overseeing this new creative arm at the studio.”
The news comes as Perry continues to expand his...
Under the new deal, Tyler Perry Studios and Asylum will co-develop, co-produce and distribute unscripted programming.
“I’m excited to bring the world of unscripted content to Tyler Perry Studios,” Perry said in a statement. “We’ve never tapped into this area of entertainment before and we’re looking forward to working closely with Asylum to bring unique real world stories to life. I’m also proud to recognize the work that Antoinetta has been doing at the studio and promote her to this position of overseeing this new creative arm at the studio.”
The news comes as Perry continues to expand his...
- 5/1/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
HBO had the Lakers, now FX has the Clippers. Will the series’ fates differ (as the real-life teams’ have), or will “Clipped” face the same quick, quiet end as “Winning Time”? We’ll find out this June, when FX’s latest ripped-from-the-headlines adaptation premieres exclusively on Hulu. The trailer was released Thursday, April 25 — just under six weeks prior to the premiere — and now you can watch the first footage below.
Set in 2013, the six-episode limited series stars Ed O’Neill as L.A. Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling and Laurence Fishburne as the team’s head coach, Doc Rivers. Formerly with the Boston Celtics (who won an NBA title in 2008), Rivers had just joined the Clippers when the owner’s racist comments went public, sending the organization into a tailspin and Sterling into a power struggle with Rivers, players, and the NBA at large. Key players in the tumultuous saga include Shelly Sterling...
Set in 2013, the six-episode limited series stars Ed O’Neill as L.A. Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling and Laurence Fishburne as the team’s head coach, Doc Rivers. Formerly with the Boston Celtics (who won an NBA title in 2008), Rivers had just joined the Clippers when the owner’s racist comments went public, sending the organization into a tailspin and Sterling into a power struggle with Rivers, players, and the NBA at large. Key players in the tumultuous saga include Shelly Sterling...
- 4/25/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
One of America's strangest celebrity sagas came to an abrupt, anticlimactic close when O.J. Simpson died at the age of 76 on April 10, 2024. The Heisman Trophy-winning running back from the University of Southern California became a professional football phenomenon during his 11-season tenure with the Buffalo Bills. He was blindingly handsome and charismatic, as comfortable in front of a camera as he was breaking tackles on the gridiron. Unlike Jim Brown, Simpson chose to keep playing football when he embarked on his acting career; and though Simpson was typically cast in supporting roles, they were often high-profile productions (namely the Best Picture-nominated "The Towering Inferno" and the Emmy-winning miniseries "Roots").
When Simpson retired, he continued to act while staying close to football as an on-field reporter for NBC. You never knew where The Juice was going to turn up, but you were never unhappy to see him. This was especially true...
When Simpson retired, he continued to act while staying close to football as an on-field reporter for NBC. You never knew where The Juice was going to turn up, but you were never unhappy to see him. This was especially true...
- 4/21/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Non-scripted production company Asylum Entertainment Group has taken a stake in London-based Dare Entertainment, the companies announced Monday. Under the deal, Dare Pictures will use the investment to expand its development, while its current angel investors Rosegown will exit the business.
Dare founder/CEO Derren Lawford will continue overseeing the company, which focuses on TV, film and podcasts. Dare’s credits include non-scripted projects like “Crypto Queen: Visionary, Victim or Villain?” and “Dalton’s Dream,” as well as “The Secrets of UK Prisons.” Michelle Morgan remains the chair in Dare’s new board structure, and becomes company director and minority shareholder of the business.
Meanwhile, launched by Steve Michaels, Asylum Entertainment Group — part of Endeavor’s non-scripted content group — is behind television, features, documentaries and unscripted series including “30 for 30,” limited series “The Kennedys” and documentary “How I Caught My Killer.”
“Derren and his studio exemplify the vision and trajectory we value at Asylum,...
Dare founder/CEO Derren Lawford will continue overseeing the company, which focuses on TV, film and podcasts. Dare’s credits include non-scripted projects like “Crypto Queen: Visionary, Victim or Villain?” and “Dalton’s Dream,” as well as “The Secrets of UK Prisons.” Michelle Morgan remains the chair in Dare’s new board structure, and becomes company director and minority shareholder of the business.
Meanwhile, launched by Steve Michaels, Asylum Entertainment Group — part of Endeavor’s non-scripted content group — is behind television, features, documentaries and unscripted series including “30 for 30,” limited series “The Kennedys” and documentary “How I Caught My Killer.”
“Derren and his studio exemplify the vision and trajectory we value at Asylum,...
- 4/8/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety Film + TV
American Cinematheque Launches Major New L.A. Documentary Festival This Is Not a Fiction (Exclusive)
The American Cinematheque is kicking off a robust new Los Angeles nonfiction film festival dubbed This Is Not a Fiction, running from April 10-18. The festival opens with docuseries “Thank You, Good Night: The Bon Jovi Story,” with Jon Bon Jovi in-person at the Aero Theatre for the L.A. premiere screening.
The event will include in-person tributes to distinguished documentary filmmakers including Barbara Kopple, Joe Berlinger, Brett Morgen, Bill Morrison, Kirsten Johnson, Terry Zwigoff, Jeff Tremaine and Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor, as well as a virtual Q&a with Frederick Wiseman.
Other premieres will include “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus,” “Power,” “Strong Island,” “Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg,” a restoration of “Lumumba: Death of a Prophet” and “Incident,” plus special presentations of Morgan Neville’s “Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces” and “Girls State.” A celebration of the 15th anniversary of “30 for 30” will feature a panel...
The event will include in-person tributes to distinguished documentary filmmakers including Barbara Kopple, Joe Berlinger, Brett Morgen, Bill Morrison, Kirsten Johnson, Terry Zwigoff, Jeff Tremaine and Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor, as well as a virtual Q&a with Frederick Wiseman.
Other premieres will include “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus,” “Power,” “Strong Island,” “Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg,” a restoration of “Lumumba: Death of a Prophet” and “Incident,” plus special presentations of Morgan Neville’s “Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces” and “Girls State.” A celebration of the 15th anniversary of “30 for 30” will feature a panel...
- 3/19/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
A smart television set running the ESPN Plus sports app. (Stock image via Unsplash)
Charter Communications is now offering customers of its Spectrum TV service free access to the Walt Disney Company’s sports streamer ESPN Plus if they subscribe to the company’s new Spectrum TV Select Plus plan.
The deal builds on an agreement reached between Charter and Disney last year that involves the cable and broadband company purchasing wholesale access to Disney-own streaming services, including Disney Plus and Hulu, to Spectrum TV customers with certain plans.
Starting this week, customers with Spectrum TV Select Plus plans will have free access to ESPN Plus as part of their service. The ESPN Plus app is available on Spectrum’s Internet-connected set-top boxes, including the Xumo Stream Box and most interactive cable boxes. With a Spectrum TV username and password, ESPN Plus is also accessible on other streaming platforms like Roku,...
Charter Communications is now offering customers of its Spectrum TV service free access to the Walt Disney Company’s sports streamer ESPN Plus if they subscribe to the company’s new Spectrum TV Select Plus plan.
The deal builds on an agreement reached between Charter and Disney last year that involves the cable and broadband company purchasing wholesale access to Disney-own streaming services, including Disney Plus and Hulu, to Spectrum TV customers with certain plans.
Starting this week, customers with Spectrum TV Select Plus plans will have free access to ESPN Plus as part of their service. The ESPN Plus app is available on Spectrum’s Internet-connected set-top boxes, including the Xumo Stream Box and most interactive cable boxes. With a Spectrum TV username and password, ESPN Plus is also accessible on other streaming platforms like Roku,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
Can Netflix do for a show like “Reba” or “The Resident” what it did for “Suits?” That’s what we’ll find out next year when Disney begins licensing series to Netflix as part of a non-exclusive arrangement stretching through 2025.
Disney Entertainment and Netflix are in the works on finalizing a licensing agreement that will bring 14 different series from ABC, Fox, FX, and even ESPN to the streamer across 18 months, an individual with knowledge told IndieWire. At the time of this writing, the deal was not signed. Among the titles that will eventually make it are shows like “The Wonder Years,” “This Is Us,” “30 for 30,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Lost,” “Archer,” “Prison Break,” “Home Improvement,” and more.
“The Hughleys,” D.L. Hughley’s sitcom that began in 1998 and ran for four years, will hit streaming for the first time on any platform. And Netflix and Disney are also...
Disney Entertainment and Netflix are in the works on finalizing a licensing agreement that will bring 14 different series from ABC, Fox, FX, and even ESPN to the streamer across 18 months, an individual with knowledge told IndieWire. At the time of this writing, the deal was not signed. Among the titles that will eventually make it are shows like “The Wonder Years,” “This Is Us,” “30 for 30,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Lost,” “Archer,” “Prison Break,” “Home Improvement,” and more.
“The Hughleys,” D.L. Hughley’s sitcom that began in 1998 and ran for four years, will hit streaming for the first time on any platform. And Netflix and Disney are also...
- 12/12/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Disney is bringing all past seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy” to Hulu — while they will remain on Netflix — coinciding with the official launch of Hulu on Disney+ in March 2024.
Starting in the spring 2024, Hulu and Netflix will share the co-exclusive U.S. streaming rights to all prior 19 seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy” as part of a new licensing deal between Disney Entertainment and Netflix. Only Hulu will have the complete series as new in-season episodes from the upcoming Season 20 of the hit show will be available to stream (after they air on ABC) along with the 19 previous seasons. “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama on primetime TV, is created by Shonda Rhimes and produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios, and Shondaland.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” expansion on Hulu is part of a proposed short-term U.S. content agreement under which Disney Entertainment will license 14 library series to Netflix on a nonexclusive basis.
Starting in the spring 2024, Hulu and Netflix will share the co-exclusive U.S. streaming rights to all prior 19 seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy” as part of a new licensing deal between Disney Entertainment and Netflix. Only Hulu will have the complete series as new in-season episodes from the upcoming Season 20 of the hit show will be available to stream (after they air on ABC) along with the 19 previous seasons. “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama on primetime TV, is created by Shonda Rhimes and produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios, and Shondaland.
The “Grey’s Anatomy” expansion on Hulu is part of a proposed short-term U.S. content agreement under which Disney Entertainment will license 14 library series to Netflix on a nonexclusive basis.
- 12/11/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
The legal drama “Suits” may have been the show of the summer, but another beloved USA property is on top now.
Tony Shalhoub reprises his Emmy-winning role of Adrian Monk in “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie,” a Peacock original that sees the ol’ detective with obsessive compulsive disorder return for one last case (or is it?) in the age of Covid. In the 90-minute film, which is now streaming, Monk is preparing for his stepdaughter Molly’s (Caitlin McGee) upcoming nuptials when he finds himself pulled into an investigation involving a charismatic billionaire with his eyes set on space (James Purefoy).
During its original run from 2002 to 2009, “Monk” was a critically acclaimed comedy and an Emmy mainstay, taking home eight awards in all. Much of the original series cast has returned for the sequel film, including Ted Levine, Traylor Howard, Jason Gray-Stanford, Melora Hardin and Hector Elizondo. A...
Tony Shalhoub reprises his Emmy-winning role of Adrian Monk in “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie,” a Peacock original that sees the ol’ detective with obsessive compulsive disorder return for one last case (or is it?) in the age of Covid. In the 90-minute film, which is now streaming, Monk is preparing for his stepdaughter Molly’s (Caitlin McGee) upcoming nuptials when he finds himself pulled into an investigation involving a charismatic billionaire with his eyes set on space (James Purefoy).
During its original run from 2002 to 2009, “Monk” was a critically acclaimed comedy and an Emmy mainstay, taking home eight awards in all. Much of the original series cast has returned for the sequel film, including Ted Levine, Traylor Howard, Jason Gray-Stanford, Melora Hardin and Hector Elizondo. A...
- 12/9/2023
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
This Saturday at 9:00 Pm on ESPN, sports enthusiasts are in for a captivating episode of “30 for 30” with Season 4 Episode 16 titled “The Great Heisman Race of 1997.” The acclaimed documentary series, known for its in-depth exploration of significant sports events, delves into the thrilling and historic Heisman Trophy race of 1997.
Viewers can expect a nostalgic journey back to a time when college football was ablaze with excitement and anticipation. The episode unfolds the gripping narrative surrounding the Heisman Trophy contenders of ’97, shedding light on the fierce competition, standout performances, and the ultimate winner of this prestigious accolade.
Tune in at 9:00 Pm for an engaging and informative episode that captures the essence of a pivotal moment in sports history. “30 for 30” continues to deliver compelling stories that resonate with sports fans, and this installment promises to be no exception.
Release Date & Time: 9:00 Pm Saturday 9 December 2023 on ESPN...
Viewers can expect a nostalgic journey back to a time when college football was ablaze with excitement and anticipation. The episode unfolds the gripping narrative surrounding the Heisman Trophy contenders of ’97, shedding light on the fierce competition, standout performances, and the ultimate winner of this prestigious accolade.
Tune in at 9:00 Pm for an engaging and informative episode that captures the essence of a pivotal moment in sports history. “30 for 30” continues to deliver compelling stories that resonate with sports fans, and this installment promises to be no exception.
Release Date & Time: 9:00 Pm Saturday 9 December 2023 on ESPN...
- 12/3/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
The 1997 race for the Heisman Trophy will be explored in an installment of the 14th season of ESPN’s “30 for 30” series.
Titled “The Great Heisman Race of 1997,” the ESPN Films docu will debut on Dec. 9 on ESPN immediately following the broadcast of the Heisman Trophy Ceremony, which will air on the network.
The doc will focus on the race between Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson. Manning stunned the sports world in 1997 by deciding to return for his senior season at the University of Tennessee and spurning the NFL, making him the Heisman front-runner as he set his sights on an SEC Championship. But while Manning was the preseason favorite, other candidates arrived during the season including Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, Marshall University’s wide receiver Randy Moss and Woodson (University of Michigan). The docu, directed by Gentry Kirby, will use archival footage to examine and unpack the race for the hallowed honor.
Titled “The Great Heisman Race of 1997,” the ESPN Films docu will debut on Dec. 9 on ESPN immediately following the broadcast of the Heisman Trophy Ceremony, which will air on the network.
The doc will focus on the race between Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson. Manning stunned the sports world in 1997 by deciding to return for his senior season at the University of Tennessee and spurning the NFL, making him the Heisman front-runner as he set his sights on an SEC Championship. But while Manning was the preseason favorite, other candidates arrived during the season including Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, Marshall University’s wide receiver Randy Moss and Woodson (University of Michigan). The docu, directed by Gentry Kirby, will use archival footage to examine and unpack the race for the hallowed honor.
- 11/21/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Dave O’Connor is exiting production company Majordomo Media to take over the reins of Time Studios as president.
O’Connor will report to Time CEO Jessica Sibley, who announced his hiring in a memo to staff Monday. O’Connor takes over the Time Studios role from Ian Orefice, who left the company this year to lead Jeff Zucker’s RedBird Imi-backed content studio EverWonder.
At Majordomo Media, he was a co-founder and co-ceo alongside David Chang, founder of the famed Momofuku restaurant group. The company has produced series including “Chef Vs. Wild” and “Secret Chef” for Hulu; “Ugly Delicious” for Netflix; and podcasts “The Dave Chang Show” and “Recipe Club” with Spotify’s The Ringer.
“With a proven track record of crafting business models to sustain profits and fuel growth, Dave also brings a deep creative background to Time Studios, with over two decades of experience as a showrunner,...
O’Connor will report to Time CEO Jessica Sibley, who announced his hiring in a memo to staff Monday. O’Connor takes over the Time Studios role from Ian Orefice, who left the company this year to lead Jeff Zucker’s RedBird Imi-backed content studio EverWonder.
At Majordomo Media, he was a co-founder and co-ceo alongside David Chang, founder of the famed Momofuku restaurant group. The company has produced series including “Chef Vs. Wild” and “Secret Chef” for Hulu; “Ugly Delicious” for Netflix; and podcasts “The Dave Chang Show” and “Recipe Club” with Spotify’s The Ringer.
“With a proven track record of crafting business models to sustain profits and fuel growth, Dave also brings a deep creative background to Time Studios, with over two decades of experience as a showrunner,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Time Studios has found its next president.
The production arm of the company (which also owns Time magazine), has tapped Dave O’Connor as president, reporting to Time CEO Jessica Sibley, who announced his hire Monday.
Time Studios has become a critical business line for Time, with Sibley telling The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year that the division now accounts for 25 percent of the company’s revenue, hitting $100 million. O’Connor succeeds Ian Orefice, who left Time Studios earlier this year to launch a studio of his own called EverWonder, backed by RedBird Imi.
O’Connor is the co-founder and co-ceo of Majordomo Media (alongside celebrity chef David Chang), which has produced Hulu’s Chef vs. Wild, among other programs. He previously worked at RadicalMedia and Embassy Row, both nonfiction content powerhouses.
“As President, Dave will further Time Studios’ mission of creating premium storytelling that moves the world, while providing the...
The production arm of the company (which also owns Time magazine), has tapped Dave O’Connor as president, reporting to Time CEO Jessica Sibley, who announced his hire Monday.
Time Studios has become a critical business line for Time, with Sibley telling The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year that the division now accounts for 25 percent of the company’s revenue, hitting $100 million. O’Connor succeeds Ian Orefice, who left Time Studios earlier this year to launch a studio of his own called EverWonder, backed by RedBird Imi.
O’Connor is the co-founder and co-ceo of Majordomo Media (alongside celebrity chef David Chang), which has produced Hulu’s Chef vs. Wild, among other programs. He previously worked at RadicalMedia and Embassy Row, both nonfiction content powerhouses.
“As President, Dave will further Time Studios’ mission of creating premium storytelling that moves the world, while providing the...
- 11/6/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dave O’Connor has been appointed as the new President of Time Studios, Time CEO Jessica Sibley announced Monday morning, in a memo to staff.
O’Connor steps in for Ian Orefice, who served as President & COO of both news magazine Time and its Emmy-winning production division before exiting to launch the content studio EverWonder, alongside Jeff Zucker’s RedBird Imi. He will be based out of New York, reporting directly to Sibley. In his new role, he will look to further Time Studios’ mission of crafting premium storytelling for a global audience, providing the company with the vision and strategic direction necessary to propel it through a turbulent and fast-evolving point in entertainment’s history.
O’Connor joins after co-founding Majordomo Media, where he served as co-ceo and produced such hit series as Chef vs. Wild for Hulu, also building a podcast network and helping to launch an original Fast channel.
O’Connor steps in for Ian Orefice, who served as President & COO of both news magazine Time and its Emmy-winning production division before exiting to launch the content studio EverWonder, alongside Jeff Zucker’s RedBird Imi. He will be based out of New York, reporting directly to Sibley. In his new role, he will look to further Time Studios’ mission of crafting premium storytelling for a global audience, providing the company with the vision and strategic direction necessary to propel it through a turbulent and fast-evolving point in entertainment’s history.
O’Connor joins after co-founding Majordomo Media, where he served as co-ceo and produced such hit series as Chef vs. Wild for Hulu, also building a podcast network and helping to launch an original Fast channel.
- 11/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A Touch More, the production company founded by world-renowned athletes Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, has announced the hiring of industry veteran Camille Bernier-Green as its head of development.
Last December, Variety exclusively revealed that Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and basketball legend, and Rapinoe, a two-time FIFA World Cup-winning soccer superstar, would expand their influence beyond sports and launch the production company in partnership with Togethxr.
The label’s name is a reference to its mission to “bring a touch more understanding, connection, entertainment, and conversation to the evolving media landscape” by granting a platform to underrepresented voices of women, Lgbtqia+ and Bipoc creators.
News of Bernier-Green’s appointment comes after Rapinoe bid farewell to international soccer on Sunday, leading the US. Women’s National Team to a 2-0 triumph over South Africa.
“I’m excited to be joining such a powerful team and to work alongside Megan and Sue,...
Last December, Variety exclusively revealed that Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and basketball legend, and Rapinoe, a two-time FIFA World Cup-winning soccer superstar, would expand their influence beyond sports and launch the production company in partnership with Togethxr.
The label’s name is a reference to its mission to “bring a touch more understanding, connection, entertainment, and conversation to the evolving media landscape” by granting a platform to underrepresented voices of women, Lgbtqia+ and Bipoc creators.
News of Bernier-Green’s appointment comes after Rapinoe bid farewell to international soccer on Sunday, leading the US. Women’s National Team to a 2-0 triumph over South Africa.
“I’m excited to be joining such a powerful team and to work alongside Megan and Sue,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
If you’re looking to save on your streaming bill, American Express cardholders can get some great deals these days. While offers do vary by card, The Streamable confirmed these four deals are available at least on the Blue Cash Preferred card. Consult your American Express deals page to verify the deals that may be available to you.
Save $84 on the Disney Bundle
Save $75 on Fubo
Get $25 Off 1 Year of Max
Save $33 on Paramount+ with Showtime
Save $84 on the Disney Bundle
Want to binge the best entertainment for kids, adults, and sports fans? The Disney Bundle is your one-stop solution. When you sign up, you’ll get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
As long as you choose a bundle over $12.99, you’ll get a $7 credit each month for the next year.
So that would include:
- Trio Basic ($12.99): Disney+ (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads), ESPN+ (With Ads)
- Trio Premium...
Save $84 on the Disney Bundle
Save $75 on Fubo
Get $25 Off 1 Year of Max
Save $33 on Paramount+ with Showtime
Save $84 on the Disney Bundle
Want to binge the best entertainment for kids, adults, and sports fans? The Disney Bundle is your one-stop solution. When you sign up, you’ll get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
As long as you choose a bundle over $12.99, you’ll get a $7 credit each month for the next year.
So that would include:
- Trio Basic ($12.99): Disney+ (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads), ESPN+ (With Ads)
- Trio Premium...
- 9/6/2023
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
Co-creators Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” was a delight for basketball fans in Season 1, a rare look at a specific sports era that’s not part of a “30 for 30” ESPN documentary nor in a two-hour movie. And because the series was about as precious with historical details as it was keeping a consistent visual style—that is, not so much—we got to have fun imaging how legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes) and Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) would have butt heads in the locker room.
Continue reading ‘Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty’ Review: HBO’s Throwback Series Is Charismatic But Not As Slick In Season 2 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty’ Review: HBO’s Throwback Series Is Charismatic But Not As Slick In Season 2 at The Playlist.
- 7/31/2023
- by Nick Allen
- The Playlist
A multi-episode docuseries following the United States Women’s National Team’s World Cup journey will premiere globally on Netflix this fall.
The series will highlight players and coaches of the Uswnt, giving an inside look at the most-decorated team in soccer history. Themes include the pressure athletes face, the euphoria of success, the joy, hardships and more of the sport. The doc will also cover issues like equal pay, motherhood, LGBTQ+ rights, racial diversity and family.
The narrative will trace the preparation — both individual and group — for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, paying homage to the players that came before those currently on the roster.
Also Read:
Megan Rapinoe to Retire From Professional Soccer After 2023 Women’s World Cup
Veteran champions like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapino, who recently announced her retirement from the sport at the end of the year, as well as rising stars like 18-year-old...
The series will highlight players and coaches of the Uswnt, giving an inside look at the most-decorated team in soccer history. Themes include the pressure athletes face, the euphoria of success, the joy, hardships and more of the sport. The doc will also cover issues like equal pay, motherhood, LGBTQ+ rights, racial diversity and family.
The narrative will trace the preparation — both individual and group — for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, paying homage to the players that came before those currently on the roster.
Also Read:
Megan Rapinoe to Retire From Professional Soccer After 2023 Women’s World Cup
Veteran champions like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapino, who recently announced her retirement from the sport at the end of the year, as well as rising stars like 18-year-old...
- 7/17/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
“American Gladiators” aired in the 1990’s, but the competition still remains a phenomenon decades later. Last month, ESPN’s “30 for 30” explored the show, and now, Netflix is getting into the game.
Netflix’s five-part docuseries, “Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of ‘American Gladiators,” dives into the hit, chronicling the meteoric rise and sweeping impact the superhero-like athletes had on both fans across America and their “average Joe” competitors.
Co-directors Jared Hess and Tony Vainuku were fans of “American Gladiators” as teens, so it was natural to revisit the TV show when Netflix presented the opportunity. In their series, the filmmakers explore the good, the bad and the ugly, bringing audiences insight through access to executives who greenlit the production in the ’80s, original crew members and gladiators, including Nitro (Dan Clark), Storm (Debbie Clark), Diamond (Erika Andersch Bunker), Laser (Jim Kalafat), Ice (Lori Fetrick), Zap (Raye Olson), Blaze...
Netflix’s five-part docuseries, “Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of ‘American Gladiators,” dives into the hit, chronicling the meteoric rise and sweeping impact the superhero-like athletes had on both fans across America and their “average Joe” competitors.
Co-directors Jared Hess and Tony Vainuku were fans of “American Gladiators” as teens, so it was natural to revisit the TV show when Netflix presented the opportunity. In their series, the filmmakers explore the good, the bad and the ugly, bringing audiences insight through access to executives who greenlit the production in the ’80s, original crew members and gladiators, including Nitro (Dan Clark), Storm (Debbie Clark), Diamond (Erika Andersch Bunker), Laser (Jim Kalafat), Ice (Lori Fetrick), Zap (Raye Olson), Blaze...
- 6/28/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
This year’s Critics Choice Real TV Awards honored shows “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” “Top Chef,” and “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi,” with each series taking home two awards.
All three shows won in the Best Show Host category, as RuPaul tied with Padma Lakshmi for both “Taste the Nation” and “Top Chef.” “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” took home the award for best ensemble cast in an unscripted series, while “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi” was awarded best structured series and “Top Chef” won best culinary show.
The annual event continues to recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
Lisa Vanderpump was honored with the Impact Award this year and Eugene Levy won Star of the Year. Additionally, Bravo and Netflix were the biggest winners of awards, topping four categories each.
A special program showcasing the winners will premiere on Ktla+ and Ktla.
All three shows won in the Best Show Host category, as RuPaul tied with Padma Lakshmi for both “Taste the Nation” and “Top Chef.” “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” took home the award for best ensemble cast in an unscripted series, while “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi” was awarded best structured series and “Top Chef” won best culinary show.
The annual event continues to recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
Lisa Vanderpump was honored with the Impact Award this year and Eugene Levy won Star of the Year. Additionally, Bravo and Netflix were the biggest winners of awards, topping four categories each.
A special program showcasing the winners will premiere on Ktla+ and Ktla.
- 6/16/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
“Wait, the name at the top of this website reads ‘Den of Geek’ and now they’re talking about sports? Don’t they know I’m gangly and uncoordinated?”
Yes, dear reader, we know that. Truth is, we’re all gangly and uncoordinated as well. But that doesn’t mean that we geeks can’t occasionally get together and enjoy the dramatic majesty of competitive sports. Sports documentaries have always been a part of the entertainment ecosystem. Of late, however, it seems as though there’s more of them for the casual sports fan or even fully sports-phobic TV-watcher to enjoy.
ESPN’s “30 for 30” sports documentary initiative kicked off a new era of TV sports documentaries in 2009. And since then, the offerings have only gotten better. With streamers like Netflix fully into the fray there have never been as many compelling sports stories being told as there is right now.
Yes, dear reader, we know that. Truth is, we’re all gangly and uncoordinated as well. But that doesn’t mean that we geeks can’t occasionally get together and enjoy the dramatic majesty of competitive sports. Sports documentaries have always been a part of the entertainment ecosystem. Of late, however, it seems as though there’s more of them for the casual sports fan or even fully sports-phobic TV-watcher to enjoy.
ESPN’s “30 for 30” sports documentary initiative kicked off a new era of TV sports documentaries in 2009. And since then, the offerings have only gotten better. With streamers like Netflix fully into the fray there have never been as many compelling sports stories being told as there is right now.
- 6/16/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
The two-part “30 for 30” documentary on the seminal 1990s competition show “American Gladiators” has now concluded, wrapping up an epic saga that cut right to the core of the American Dream.
The documentary dove deep into the largely unknown history of the show, which dominated the TV landscape in its initial run in syndication on US television and around the world. It revealed stories of love, lust, betrayal, friendship, injury, agony, and everything in between from the creators of the show and the Gladiators themselves.
So how did a nearly three-hour doc about a show famous for events like jousting with things that looked like huge cotton swabs and rolling around in giant steel balls called Atlaspheres come together? According to the doc’s director Ben Berman, he was skeptical when initially approached by Vice about the project but changed his mind once he learned more about the story.
The documentary dove deep into the largely unknown history of the show, which dominated the TV landscape in its initial run in syndication on US television and around the world. It revealed stories of love, lust, betrayal, friendship, injury, agony, and everything in between from the creators of the show and the Gladiators themselves.
So how did a nearly three-hour doc about a show famous for events like jousting with things that looked like huge cotton swabs and rolling around in giant steel balls called Atlaspheres come together? According to the doc’s director Ben Berman, he was skeptical when initially approached by Vice about the project but changed his mind once he learned more about the story.
- 6/1/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
ESPN has released an exclusive clip from a new two-part documentary that will shed light on the behind-the-scenes story of the famed reality competition show “American Gladiators.”
From 1989 to 1996, “American Gladiators” was one of the most popular syndicated programs in television, a competition show that predated the reality TV era but used many of the same techniques to attract viewers. Every week, “amateur” contestants would go up against a cast of “professional” gladiators in a range of physical competitions, setting up David versus Goliath matchups that were popular with big television audiences but also earned considerable criticism for being “crash TV”.
The documentary, which will debut on May 30 and 31 on ESPN and be made available on ESPN+ following its premiere, features original interviews with Johnny Ferraro, Deron McBee (‘Malibu’), Michael Horton (‘Gemini’), Lynn ‘Red’ Williams (‘Sabre’), the late William Billy Smith (‘Thunder’) and Salina Bartunek (‘Elektra’).
“What we were doing consumed us so much.
From 1989 to 1996, “American Gladiators” was one of the most popular syndicated programs in television, a competition show that predated the reality TV era but used many of the same techniques to attract viewers. Every week, “amateur” contestants would go up against a cast of “professional” gladiators in a range of physical competitions, setting up David versus Goliath matchups that were popular with big television audiences but also earned considerable criticism for being “crash TV”.
The documentary, which will debut on May 30 and 31 on ESPN and be made available on ESPN+ following its premiere, features original interviews with Johnny Ferraro, Deron McBee (‘Malibu’), Michael Horton (‘Gemini’), Lynn ‘Red’ Williams (‘Sabre’), the late William Billy Smith (‘Thunder’) and Salina Bartunek (‘Elektra’).
“What we were doing consumed us so much.
- 5/23/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Serena Williams’ life and legacy will be featured in an upcoming docuseries for ESPN.
The announcement was made at the Walt Disney Company upfront presentation in New York on Tuesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and was presented under the title, In the Arena: Serena Williams. The docuseries is set to span the tennis champion’s career as one of the most decorated athletes of all time with a combined 39 Grand Slam titles, including 23 singles titles, 14 doubles, and two mixed doubles titles.
Gotham Chopra, who has produced sports documentaries such...
The announcement was made at the Walt Disney Company upfront presentation in New York on Tuesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and was presented under the title, In the Arena: Serena Williams. The docuseries is set to span the tennis champion’s career as one of the most decorated athletes of all time with a combined 39 Grand Slam titles, including 23 singles titles, 14 doubles, and two mixed doubles titles.
Gotham Chopra, who has produced sports documentaries such...
- 5/16/2023
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Pablo Torre is about to become a creature of two worlds.
The veteran ESPN writer and on-air personality is leaving the Disney sports-media giant — and he’s staying, too. Torre is joining Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN chief John Skipper and the sports commentator Dan Le Batard. And yet, Torre is expected to remain a regular contributor to “Around The Horn” and “Pardon The Interruption,” two of the mainstay programs on the ESPN daytime schedule.
“They are looking to build another show directly out of ‘The Dan LeBatard Show,’ which is a monster,” Torre says of Meadowlark in an interview. Torre envisions a digital program with audio and video components that will allow him to “tell original stories, do a bit of journalism and figure out how to make that show a home that can fit all of the things I aspire to do creatively.” Torre...
The veteran ESPN writer and on-air personality is leaving the Disney sports-media giant — and he’s staying, too. Torre is joining Meadowlark Media, the content company founded by former ESPN chief John Skipper and the sports commentator Dan Le Batard. And yet, Torre is expected to remain a regular contributor to “Around The Horn” and “Pardon The Interruption,” two of the mainstay programs on the ESPN daytime schedule.
“They are looking to build another show directly out of ‘The Dan LeBatard Show,’ which is a monster,” Torre says of Meadowlark in an interview. Torre envisions a digital program with audio and video components that will allow him to “tell original stories, do a bit of journalism and figure out how to make that show a home that can fit all of the things I aspire to do creatively.” Torre...
- 3/14/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Endeavor Group Holdings, the owner of WME, UFC and Img, has made a strategic investment in nonscripted production company Asylum Entertainment Group.
With the investment, Asylum, which has a portfolio including The Content Group, Texas Crew Productions, Big City TV, Breaklight Pictures and Audity, will become part of Endeavor’s nonscripted content division. Rebecca Sanhueza, Endeavor’s EVP of content strategy and development, will lead the nonscripted content business at Endeavor. Asylum’s CEO Steve Michaels and President Jodi Flynn will report to Sanhueza. The move signals a bigger push by Endeavor into the non-fiction space.
“Rebecca is a key architect of Endeavor’s content strategy,” said Endeavor President Mark Shapiro. “She played a crucial role in developing both Endeavor Content and Img’s original content business, and brings the vision and strategy necessary to realize our global ambitions in nonscripted.”
Asylum Entertainment Group has been behind a number of reality,...
With the investment, Asylum, which has a portfolio including The Content Group, Texas Crew Productions, Big City TV, Breaklight Pictures and Audity, will become part of Endeavor’s nonscripted content division. Rebecca Sanhueza, Endeavor’s EVP of content strategy and development, will lead the nonscripted content business at Endeavor. Asylum’s CEO Steve Michaels and President Jodi Flynn will report to Sanhueza. The move signals a bigger push by Endeavor into the non-fiction space.
“Rebecca is a key architect of Endeavor’s content strategy,” said Endeavor President Mark Shapiro. “She played a crucial role in developing both Endeavor Content and Img’s original content business, and brings the vision and strategy necessary to realize our global ambitions in nonscripted.”
Asylum Entertainment Group has been behind a number of reality,...
- 3/7/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chaos in February is a feeling generally relegated to relentless weather, Valentine’s Day nerves, and the typically intense Oscar circuit. But this year’s winter awards run has proven critical for a couple of TV shows, as they aim to solidify their chosen genre placement amid debate over where they really belong. Surprise, surprise: Saturday night’s PGA Award winners made a major impact, as “The Bear” and “The White Lotus” snagged key wins in the categories of Comedy and Drama, respectively
Yes, “The Bear” is a comedy series — at least, that’s how it’s been designated throughout the winter awards cycle and where it’s destined to run this summer at the 2023 Emmys. The DGA Awards, Critics Choice, Writers’ Guild, and more have all honored Christopher Storer’s half-hour original series in their Comedy categories, and the cast will compete for two SAG Awards Sunday night against the likes of “Abbott Elementary,...
Yes, “The Bear” is a comedy series — at least, that’s how it’s been designated throughout the winter awards cycle and where it’s destined to run this summer at the 2023 Emmys. The DGA Awards, Critics Choice, Writers’ Guild, and more have all honored Christopher Storer’s half-hour original series in their Comedy categories, and the cast will compete for two SAG Awards Sunday night against the likes of “Abbott Elementary,...
- 2/26/2023
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
The late comedian John Candy is getting the documentary treatment from Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds.
Amazon’s Prime Video is in negotiations to acquire an untitled film that Hanks has been quietly directing. Reynolds — who, like Candy, hails from Canada — is producing alongside George Dewey via his Maximum Effort production company.
The film will explore the life and legacy of the iconic funnyman Candy, who died of a heart attack in 1994 at the age of 43. But insiders say the film will go beyond the persona and delve into the inner life that Candy kept private off-screen. With the full support of Candy’s widow, Rose, and their two children, Jen and Chris, Hanks will utilize never-before-seen home videos, archives and interviews with the family to explore the man behind the movie star. Candy became one of the most in-demand comic stars of the 1980s and early ’90s, appearing in...
Amazon’s Prime Video is in negotiations to acquire an untitled film that Hanks has been quietly directing. Reynolds — who, like Candy, hails from Canada — is producing alongside George Dewey via his Maximum Effort production company.
The film will explore the life and legacy of the iconic funnyman Candy, who died of a heart attack in 1994 at the age of 43. But insiders say the film will go beyond the persona and delve into the inner life that Candy kept private off-screen. With the full support of Candy’s widow, Rose, and their two children, Jen and Chris, Hanks will utilize never-before-seen home videos, archives and interviews with the family to explore the man behind the movie star. Candy became one of the most in-demand comic stars of the 1980s and early ’90s, appearing in...
- 2/9/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Awards season never really ends, which means this year’s Oscar-nominated movies are hitting streaming services now to build anticipation before the big night. Todd Field’s Best Picture nominee “TÁR” arrived on Peacock last week, and you should definitely check it out there if you missed it in theaters. (Here is how to watch “Tar” online.)
But unfortunately, there are no currently nominated films or likely future contenders new to streaming this week. But we’ve rounded up some movies that began streaming in the past week or this weekend that have something of interest to awards-watchers.
The contender to watch this weekend: “Spoiler Alert,” Peacock
This sad but uplifting romantic drama comes to streaming after a low-key theatrical run. It’s based on the memoir “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies” by entertainment journalist and TVLine founder Michael Ausiello. (TVLine and Gold Derby are both owned by Penske Media Corporation.
But unfortunately, there are no currently nominated films or likely future contenders new to streaming this week. But we’ve rounded up some movies that began streaming in the past week or this weekend that have something of interest to awards-watchers.
The contender to watch this weekend: “Spoiler Alert,” Peacock
This sad but uplifting romantic drama comes to streaming after a low-key theatrical run. It’s based on the memoir “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies” by entertainment journalist and TVLine founder Michael Ausiello. (TVLine and Gold Derby are both owned by Penske Media Corporation.
- 2/4/2023
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
The North Road Co., the global production studio roll-up formed by Peter Chernin last year, has received an 150 million investment from Qatar Investment Authority (Qia), the country’s sovereign wealth fund.
The funding builds on the capital North Road secured at launch, which includes up to 500 million from longtime Chernin partner Providence Equity Partners and 300 million in debt financing from Apollo.
“Qia’s investment enables North Road to capitalize even further on the growing demand for premium, independent content,” Chernin, who serves as North Road’s CEO, said in a statement. Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, Qia’s chief investment officer of Americas, commented, “This investment underpins our strategy to invest in innovative media and technology companies around the world and advances our long-term partnership with the Chernin Group.”
North Road consolidated Chernin Entertainment, the film and TV studio whose credits include the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy, “Ford v Ferrari,” “Hidden Figures” and “New Girl,...
The funding builds on the capital North Road secured at launch, which includes up to 500 million from longtime Chernin partner Providence Equity Partners and 300 million in debt financing from Apollo.
“Qia’s investment enables North Road to capitalize even further on the growing demand for premium, independent content,” Chernin, who serves as North Road’s CEO, said in a statement. Mohammed Al-Sowaidi, Qia’s chief investment officer of Americas, commented, “This investment underpins our strategy to invest in innovative media and technology companies around the world and advances our long-term partnership with the Chernin Group.”
North Road consolidated Chernin Entertainment, the film and TV studio whose credits include the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy, “Ford v Ferrari,” “Hidden Figures” and “New Girl,...
- 1/31/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Apple TV+ has revealed the new sports documentary series ‘Super League: The War for Football,’ to premiere January 13, 2023, alongside a trailer.
The docuseries is a four-part series that documents the high-stakes battle that is set off when plans for a breakaway league emerge and the past, present, and future of European football collide, leaving the game’s most powerful leaders to defend, or upend, the traditions of the sport. With unprecedented access to league Presidents, club owners and the architects behind the European Super League, the docuseries brings fans the yet untold story of how and why this idea was hatched and the battle plans that were formed to fight it.
The series is directed and executive produced by All Rise Films’ News & Documentary Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jeff Zimbalist, and executive produced by Words + Pictures’ Emmy Award-winning Connor Schell.
Also in trailers – Teaser trailer debuts for ‘Scream VI’
The post...
The docuseries is a four-part series that documents the high-stakes battle that is set off when plans for a breakaway league emerge and the past, present, and future of European football collide, leaving the game’s most powerful leaders to defend, or upend, the traditions of the sport. With unprecedented access to league Presidents, club owners and the architects behind the European Super League, the docuseries brings fans the yet untold story of how and why this idea was hatched and the battle plans that were formed to fight it.
The series is directed and executive produced by All Rise Films’ News & Documentary Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jeff Zimbalist, and executive produced by Words + Pictures’ Emmy Award-winning Connor Schell.
Also in trailers – Teaser trailer debuts for ‘Scream VI’
The post...
- 12/19/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Mars Rover documentary “Good Night Oppy” as been named the best nonfiction film of 2022 at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which took place on Sunday night at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.
Ryan White was named the year’s best documentary director for “Good Night Oppy” at a ceremony that consistently spread the love, with a dozen different films and film series winning awards and only “Good Night Oppy” and “The Beatles: Get Back” winning more than a single award.
“Get Back” won two, while “Good Night Oppy” took five, also including Best Science/Nature Documentary, Best Narration and Best Score.
For the first time the Critics Choice Documentary Awards also announced the second- and third-place finishers in the top category, with “Fire of Love” finishing second and “Navalny” finishing third.
David Siev won in the Best First Feature category for “Bad Axe.” Genre winners were “Fire of Love” for archival documentary,...
Ryan White was named the year’s best documentary director for “Good Night Oppy” at a ceremony that consistently spread the love, with a dozen different films and film series winning awards and only “Good Night Oppy” and “The Beatles: Get Back” winning more than a single award.
“Get Back” won two, while “Good Night Oppy” took five, also including Best Science/Nature Documentary, Best Narration and Best Score.
For the first time the Critics Choice Documentary Awards also announced the second- and third-place finishers in the top category, with “Fire of Love” finishing second and “Navalny” finishing third.
David Siev won in the Best First Feature category for “Bad Axe.” Genre winners were “Fire of Love” for archival documentary,...
- 11/14/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
On Thursday at the 13th annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit 2022 in Ojai, California, ESPN Films announced the completion of W. Studios’ first feature documentary, about WNBA star Candace Parker.
The docu about Parker, a two-time WNBA champion, was directed by Joie Jacoby (“Return to Mexico City”). The untitled doc is a portrait of Parker, filmed over the past year, pivoting from private, verité moments to personal and professional archival footage. The doc follows Parker as she shares her life on and off the court including time with her wife, Anya, and their family as she plays for her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, in the latter part of her professional career.
“I’m excited to give people a special inside look into the balance of my life on and off the court,” says Parker. “I’m thrilled to be the subject of the first feature documentary from W. Studios.”
In May,...
The docu about Parker, a two-time WNBA champion, was directed by Joie Jacoby (“Return to Mexico City”). The untitled doc is a portrait of Parker, filmed over the past year, pivoting from private, verité moments to personal and professional archival footage. The doc follows Parker as she shares her life on and off the court including time with her wife, Anya, and their family as she plays for her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, in the latter part of her professional career.
“I’m excited to give people a special inside look into the balance of my life on and off the court,” says Parker. “I’m thrilled to be the subject of the first feature documentary from W. Studios.”
In May,...
- 11/3/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Most fans of the original comedy classic "Friday" and its subsequent sequels might assume that star Ice Cube actually stepped behind the camera to direct one, if not all, of the entries in his beloved neighborhood stoner trilogy. But in fact, he didn't direct a single installment in the franchise. Ice Cube did try his hand at directing in the late '90s with "Players Club," a story about a single mother who turns to the underworld of exotic dance to make ends meet.
Aside from an ESPN episode of "30 for 30" about the Oakland Raiders' move to Los Angles in 1982, "Players Club" is the only directing credit for Cube, who prefers to share the limelight with other directors. This is especially true with the "Friday" series where the rap mogul liked hiring first-time directors. Telling SPLICEDwire in an interview conducted right when "Friday After Next" was being released,...
Aside from an ESPN episode of "30 for 30" about the Oakland Raiders' move to Los Angles in 1982, "Players Club" is the only directing credit for Cube, who prefers to share the limelight with other directors. This is especially true with the "Friday" series where the rap mogul liked hiring first-time directors. Telling SPLICEDwire in an interview conducted right when "Friday After Next" was being released,...
- 10/23/2022
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
Five top TV documentary filmmakers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Emmy Awards nominees. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Tuesday, August 9, at 6:00 p.m. Pt; 9:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our contributing editor Charles Bright and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 nominees:
Controlling Britney Spears (FX)
Synopsis: Britney Spears has said that her conservatorship had become “an oppressive and controlling tool against her.” This investigation reveals much of how it worked, including an intense surveillance apparatus that monitored her every move.
RSVP today to our entire ongoing Emmy contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 nominees:
Controlling Britney Spears (FX)
Synopsis: Britney Spears has said that her conservatorship had become “an oppressive and controlling tool against her.” This investigation reveals much of how it worked, including an intense surveillance apparatus that monitored her every move.
- 8/2/2022
- by Chris Beachum and Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
There’s something so alluring about shows that tell interesting sports stories — ESPN’s “30 for 30” is one such show. When the show was created by Bill Simmons and Connor Schell, the overarching idea was to create 30 sports documentaries to mark ESPN’s 30 years anniversary. The first volume was a huge success and for that, the show had to continue. Well, it didn’t just continue, it also grew into a franchise.
Where Can You Watch “First Take?”
There’s a lot more to know about “30 for 30.” This article will bring you up to speed with all the latest information about the show.
Where Can You Watch “30 for 30?”
“30 for 30” recently returned with new installments to the “30 for 30″ library. First, there was “The Greatest Mixtape Ever” which premiered on ESPN. Its most recent release is “Dream On.” The documentary profiles the USA Women’s...
Where Can You Watch “First Take?”
There’s a lot more to know about “30 for 30.” This article will bring you up to speed with all the latest information about the show.
Where Can You Watch “30 for 30?”
“30 for 30” recently returned with new installments to the “30 for 30″ library. First, there was “The Greatest Mixtape Ever” which premiered on ESPN. Its most recent release is “Dream On.” The documentary profiles the USA Women’s...
- 6/29/2022
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
Ben Affleck has rounded out the cast for his upcoming film about Nike and its efforts to sign Michael Jordan to an endorsement deal, adding Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, Marlon Wayans and more to star alongside both himself and Matt Damon.
Also joining the cast are Matthew Maher, Tom Papa, Chris Messina and Julius Tennon. Affleck is directing the film from a script he collaborated on with Damon and was written by Alex Convery, eventually landing on the 2021 Black List of unproduced screenplays.
The untitled Nike film is set at Amazon Studios from Skydance Sports and Mandalay Pictures, and production has recently begun in Los Angeles.
Also Read:
Exclusive ‘They Call Me Magic’ Sneak Peek: Magic Johnson Recalls Epic ‘No Wives Invited’ Pool Parties (Video)
Damon, whom Affleck is directing for the first time despite their long history of collaborating, in the movie plays maverick sneaker salesman and former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,...
Also joining the cast are Matthew Maher, Tom Papa, Chris Messina and Julius Tennon. Affleck is directing the film from a script he collaborated on with Damon and was written by Alex Convery, eventually landing on the 2021 Black List of unproduced screenplays.
The untitled Nike film is set at Amazon Studios from Skydance Sports and Mandalay Pictures, and production has recently begun in Los Angeles.
Also Read:
Exclusive ‘They Call Me Magic’ Sneak Peek: Magic Johnson Recalls Epic ‘No Wives Invited’ Pool Parties (Video)
Damon, whom Affleck is directing for the first time despite their long history of collaborating, in the movie plays maverick sneaker salesman and former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro,...
- 6/10/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Podcast companies Stitcher, Rococo Punch and Room Tone have teamed up on a new reality podcast that explores the drama and dreams of seven people in an iconic LGBTQ community at the end of the world.
The three companies are launching Welcome to Provincetown, which documents the lives of several eclectic, vivacious residents of the idyllic, two-street beach town known for its community of actors, artists, drag queens, playwrights, and authors.
The series is hosted by Mitra Kaboli, the producer of The Heart and ESPN’s 30 for 30.
It will follow seven locals, each with their own agenda, in the small, picturesque town of Provincetown, Ma. These include Qya, the summer’s ‘It Girl,’ a performer gracing every stage and a few sand dunes in town; Sonny, a newcomer to P-Town who is spending his summer trying to get laid; Kristen, Ethan and Star from Summer of Sass,...
The three companies are launching Welcome to Provincetown, which documents the lives of several eclectic, vivacious residents of the idyllic, two-street beach town known for its community of actors, artists, drag queens, playwrights, and authors.
The series is hosted by Mitra Kaboli, the producer of The Heart and ESPN’s 30 for 30.
It will follow seven locals, each with their own agenda, in the small, picturesque town of Provincetown, Ma. These include Qya, the summer’s ‘It Girl,’ a performer gracing every stage and a few sand dunes in town; Sonny, a newcomer to P-Town who is spending his summer trying to get laid; Kristen, Ethan and Star from Summer of Sass,...
- 5/23/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The Super Bowl-winning 2000 Baltimore Ravens were among the NFL’s greatest defensive teams ever, and now the team is getting 30 for 30 treatment. ESPN Films has kicked off production on a documentary on the squad led by future Hall of Famers Ray Lewis, Rod Woodson and Ed Reed.
The doc centers on one of the most notorious football teams to ever play the game. Few teams in NFL history have boasted, bullied or brandished as much bravado as the 2000 Ravens. The rest of the NFL hated them, but no one could say a thing because few could beat the Ravens on the field. The defense set a league record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game regular season and pitched four shutouts. Luckily for sports fans, their full-throated reign coincided perfectly with the rise of the “reality television” era via ESPN’s Hard Knocks.
That storied defense led the Ravens to...
The doc centers on one of the most notorious football teams to ever play the game. Few teams in NFL history have boasted, bullied or brandished as much bravado as the 2000 Ravens. The rest of the NFL hated them, but no one could say a thing because few could beat the Ravens on the field. The defense set a league record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game regular season and pitched four shutouts. Luckily for sports fans, their full-throated reign coincided perfectly with the rise of the “reality television” era via ESPN’s Hard Knocks.
That storied defense led the Ravens to...
- 5/17/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
FX is getting into the basketball drama series game.
The network has ordered the limited series “The Sterling Affairs,” set to star Laurence Fishburne and Jacki Weaver.
The series, which will span six episodes, is about the downfall of Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling amid the team’s drive to win a championship.
Here’s the official logline: “’The Sterling Affairs’ tells the behind the scenes story of Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers’ quest to bring a championship to one of the historically worst franchises in all of sports during the impending downfall of the team’s owner, Donald Sterling, whose notoriously racist behavior is brought to light amid the power struggle between his wife of 60+ years, Shelly Sterling, and his mistress, V. Stiviano.”
Fishburne will play former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, while Weaver will play Sterling’s wife, Shelly Sterling.
Gina Welch serves as writer...
The network has ordered the limited series “The Sterling Affairs,” set to star Laurence Fishburne and Jacki Weaver.
The series, which will span six episodes, is about the downfall of Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling amid the team’s drive to win a championship.
Here’s the official logline: “’The Sterling Affairs’ tells the behind the scenes story of Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers’ quest to bring a championship to one of the historically worst franchises in all of sports during the impending downfall of the team’s owner, Donald Sterling, whose notoriously racist behavior is brought to light amid the power struggle between his wife of 60+ years, Shelly Sterling, and his mistress, V. Stiviano.”
Fishburne will play former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, while Weaver will play Sterling’s wife, Shelly Sterling.
Gina Welch serves as writer...
- 4/4/2022
- by Jolie Lash
- The Wrap
When former ESPN president John Skipper greenlit Bill Simmons’ and Connor Schell’s award-winning “30 for 30” documentary series, he also built the template for his new company, Meadowlark Media: Great content that may or may not be about sports, but is never afraid to show its politics.
“We have credibility in sports, so you use that credibility to get started,” Skipper said before boarding an airplane traveling south-by-southwest to SXSW. There, he and former ESPN host-turned-Meadowlark partner Dan Le Batard will tape leading sports podcast “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” March 13 and 14 (from 3-5:30 p.m. Ct) with a live studio audience at Austin’s Four Seasons Hotel. Le Batard is also hosting a conversation at SXSW’s Athlete Empowerment Summit with Ricky Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner who now does astrology readings on the podcast.
Skipper said he roots for artists as hard as he roots for athletes.
“We have credibility in sports, so you use that credibility to get started,” Skipper said before boarding an airplane traveling south-by-southwest to SXSW. There, he and former ESPN host-turned-Meadowlark partner Dan Le Batard will tape leading sports podcast “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” March 13 and 14 (from 3-5:30 p.m. Ct) with a live studio audience at Austin’s Four Seasons Hotel. Le Batard is also hosting a conversation at SXSW’s Athlete Empowerment Summit with Ricky Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner who now does astrology readings on the podcast.
Skipper said he roots for artists as hard as he roots for athletes.
- 3/11/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Sometimes there are weeks where there seems to be something for everybody. This is one of those weeks. From real-life-based scammers to a robot uprising, plus new movies from Steven Soderbergh and Jennifer Lopez – whatever floats your boat is facilitated here.
On with the television!
Netflix
“Inventing Anna”
Friday, February 11, Netflix
Scammer season continues! This week’s biggest show is “Inventing Anna,” based on the real-life story of Anna Delvey nee Sorokin (played in the film by a comfortably over-the-top Julia Garner), a New York socialite who claimed to be a German heiress but was, in actuality, a Russian-born nobody. Watch as she cons her way into glittery parties, sweet-talks some of the most powerful financiers in the city into investing in her cockamamie schemes and burns every bridge she walks across (in her designer heels). It’s a scintillating story, made even more propulsive and watchable by the fact...
On with the television!
Netflix
“Inventing Anna”
Friday, February 11, Netflix
Scammer season continues! This week’s biggest show is “Inventing Anna,” based on the real-life story of Anna Delvey nee Sorokin (played in the film by a comfortably over-the-top Julia Garner), a New York socialite who claimed to be a German heiress but was, in actuality, a Russian-born nobody. Watch as she cons her way into glittery parties, sweet-talks some of the most powerful financiers in the city into investing in her cockamamie schemes and burns every bridge she walks across (in her designer heels). It’s a scintillating story, made even more propulsive and watchable by the fact...
- 2/4/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
When HBO renewed Bill Simmons’ “Music Box” documentary series for a second season in December, it wasn’t exactly surprising. Critics, film festival programmers and audiences were immediately taken with the series of six docs, which launched in July.
But the road to success was a long one. Simmons conceived the series back in 2018. His idea was to make the music version of the wildly successful sports docuseries “30 for 30,” which he co-created for ESPN more than a decade ago. Like “30 for 30,” installments of “Music Box” wouldn’t tell the entire trajectory of an artist’s career, but instead spotlight pivotal moments, creations and creators within the music sector. Also like “30 for 30,” Simmons would enlist A-list documentary filmmakers to make his vision come to light.
Three and a half years later in July, Garret Price’s “Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage” became the first...
But the road to success was a long one. Simmons conceived the series back in 2018. His idea was to make the music version of the wildly successful sports docuseries “30 for 30,” which he co-created for ESPN more than a decade ago. Like “30 for 30,” installments of “Music Box” wouldn’t tell the entire trajectory of an artist’s career, but instead spotlight pivotal moments, creations and creators within the music sector. Also like “30 for 30,” Simmons would enlist A-list documentary filmmakers to make his vision come to light.
Three and a half years later in July, Garret Price’s “Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage” became the first...
- 1/21/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Former ESPN content chief Connor Schell has brought in former colleague Libby Geist to help run his new nonfiction banner Words + Pictures as it ramps up productions of documentary fare.
Libby Geist will serve as the production company’s executive VP and head of documentaries, overseeing the development of one-off docus and docuseries for the New York-based company founded in February 2021 with Chernin Entertainment as its sole investor. Geist worked alongside Schell for more than a decade at ESPN, where she served as VP and executive producer of ESPN Films and Original Content until 2020. During her tenure at ESPN Films, Geist executive produced several seminal nonfiction projects including “The Last Dance,” the “30 for 30” series, and “O.J.: Made in America,” which won an Academy Award in 2017.
As an executive producer on the “30 for 30” series, which Schell co-founded with Bill Simmons in 2007, Geist has worked alongside some of...
Libby Geist will serve as the production company’s executive VP and head of documentaries, overseeing the development of one-off docus and docuseries for the New York-based company founded in February 2021 with Chernin Entertainment as its sole investor. Geist worked alongside Schell for more than a decade at ESPN, where she served as VP and executive producer of ESPN Films and Original Content until 2020. During her tenure at ESPN Films, Geist executive produced several seminal nonfiction projects including “The Last Dance,” the “30 for 30” series, and “O.J.: Made in America,” which won an Academy Award in 2017.
As an executive producer on the “30 for 30” series, which Schell co-founded with Bill Simmons in 2007, Geist has worked alongside some of...
- 1/12/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
John Skipper and Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media has brought on Deirdre Fenton as executive director of unscripted, Variety has learned exclusively.
In her new role, Fenton will oversee the company’s unscripted programming. She will report to Skipper, who is the CEO of Meadowlark. One of Fenton’s early focuses will be leading Meadowlark’s relationship with Apple, with Meadowlark recently signing a first-look deal with the streamer.
“Deirdre has a fabulous eye for what makes a good story and the industry experience to bring it to life,” said Skipper. “Having had the good fortune to work with her often in recent years, I look forward to seeing the immediate and positive impact she will have on Meadowlark.”
Prior to joining Meadowlark, Fenton worked at both ESPN and Dazn in the documentary space. Her time at ESPN included work on the “30 for 30” franchise, as well as...
In her new role, Fenton will oversee the company’s unscripted programming. She will report to Skipper, who is the CEO of Meadowlark. One of Fenton’s early focuses will be leading Meadowlark’s relationship with Apple, with Meadowlark recently signing a first-look deal with the streamer.
“Deirdre has a fabulous eye for what makes a good story and the industry experience to bring it to life,” said Skipper. “Having had the good fortune to work with her often in recent years, I look forward to seeing the immediate and positive impact she will have on Meadowlark.”
Prior to joining Meadowlark, Fenton worked at both ESPN and Dazn in the documentary space. Her time at ESPN included work on the “30 for 30” franchise, as well as...
- 11/2/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“Swagger,” the Apple TV Plus drama centered in the world of youth basketball, boasts an impressive pedigree with storylines drawn from the formative experiences of NBA standout Kevin Durant. But the series is anything but a TV-scaled biopic; its ambitions are decidedly bigger and more far-reaching than even the 6-foot-10-inch superstar.
“The approach was not ‘Let’s fit into Kevin’s life.’ The approach was, ‘Use Kevin’s life as a point of inspiration,’” creator and executive producer Reggie Rock Bythewood, whose long, versatile list of writing and directing credits include the limited series “Shots Fired” and the “30 for 30” documentary “One Night in Vegas,” tells Variety.
By using elements of Durant’s backstory as the foundation for a more contemporary tale about Jace (Isaiah Hill), a disadvantaged teen with undeniable potential to become an elite athlete, Bythewood envisioned a broader framework to explore more immediate topics and themes.
“The approach was not ‘Let’s fit into Kevin’s life.’ The approach was, ‘Use Kevin’s life as a point of inspiration,’” creator and executive producer Reggie Rock Bythewood, whose long, versatile list of writing and directing credits include the limited series “Shots Fired” and the “30 for 30” documentary “One Night in Vegas,” tells Variety.
By using elements of Durant’s backstory as the foundation for a more contemporary tale about Jace (Isaiah Hill), a disadvantaged teen with undeniable potential to become an elite athlete, Bythewood envisioned a broader framework to explore more immediate topics and themes.
- 10/29/2021
- by Scott Huver
- Variety Film + TV
The New York Mets, which were acquired before this season by billionaire financier Steve Cohen, have brought in Range Media Partners to “evolve” the baseball team’s brand.
Range is a startup management firm founded a year ago with initial funding from Cohen’s Connecticut-based venture fund, Point72 Ventures. The company has two key partners in the Mets branding effort: sports marketing and analytics specialist 4Front and branding agency Base Design.
According to the official announcement, the objective is to “evolve the Mets brand and accelerate innovation and engagement across the organization.” Range’s role will be to “merge the realms of sport and entertainment in new and original ways,” by integrating the iconic Mets brand into film, television, fashion, social media and music.
“Range was built to empower exceptional storytellers, and the aspirations of this team go far beyond the field – to the intersection of sports, entertainment and culture,...
Range is a startup management firm founded a year ago with initial funding from Cohen’s Connecticut-based venture fund, Point72 Ventures. The company has two key partners in the Mets branding effort: sports marketing and analytics specialist 4Front and branding agency Base Design.
According to the official announcement, the objective is to “evolve the Mets brand and accelerate innovation and engagement across the organization.” Range’s role will be to “merge the realms of sport and entertainment in new and original ways,” by integrating the iconic Mets brand into film, television, fashion, social media and music.
“Range was built to empower exceptional storytellers, and the aspirations of this team go far beyond the field – to the intersection of sports, entertainment and culture,...
- 9/28/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: American Gladiators, the classic competition series that originally premiered in 1989, is taking another shot at the obstacle course.
Deadline understands that MGM has teamed with WWE for a reimagined version of the non-scripted series that will feature a slew of WWE wrestling superstars.
Mark Burnett and his team are currently pitching the rebooted series, which is based on the format created by Johnny Ferraro and Dan Carr, to broadcasters and platforms.
It seems like good timing for the Hollywood studio and Vince McMahon’s wrestling federation given the success of physical competition series in the non-scripted space from American Ninja Warrior to Floor Is Lava and Holey Moley, as well as the growing focus on WWE with Netflix’s interactive film Escape the Undertaker and a documentary series about McMahon from Bill Simmons as well as Blumhouse TV scripted series The United States of America Vs. Vince McMahon in the works.
Deadline understands that MGM has teamed with WWE for a reimagined version of the non-scripted series that will feature a slew of WWE wrestling superstars.
Mark Burnett and his team are currently pitching the rebooted series, which is based on the format created by Johnny Ferraro and Dan Carr, to broadcasters and platforms.
It seems like good timing for the Hollywood studio and Vince McMahon’s wrestling federation given the success of physical competition series in the non-scripted space from American Ninja Warrior to Floor Is Lava and Holey Moley, as well as the growing focus on WWE with Netflix’s interactive film Escape the Undertaker and a documentary series about McMahon from Bill Simmons as well as Blumhouse TV scripted series The United States of America Vs. Vince McMahon in the works.
- 9/24/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The hustle of show business means people not-infrequently have two projects hitting the market at the same time.
Even so, filmmaker Nick Davis is the creative force behind one of the more unusual doubleheaders in recent memory. He directed ESPN “30 for 30” limited series Once Upon a Time in Queens, an account of the World Series-winning, earth-scorching 1986 New York Mets. The two-night, four hour docuseries, whose executive producers include Jimmy Kimmel, premieres tonight and concludes tomorrow. Also today, Knopf has published Davis’s book, Competing with Idiots, a dual portrait of Joseph and Herman Mankiewicz that had been in the works for nearly two decades. The Hollywood royals were his great-uncle and grandfather, respectively.
“I’ve thought about what common ground there is between these projects,” Davis said in an interview with Deadline. “And I think what it is is that I have no memory of not being Herman Mankiewicz’s grandson.
Even so, filmmaker Nick Davis is the creative force behind one of the more unusual doubleheaders in recent memory. He directed ESPN “30 for 30” limited series Once Upon a Time in Queens, an account of the World Series-winning, earth-scorching 1986 New York Mets. The two-night, four hour docuseries, whose executive producers include Jimmy Kimmel, premieres tonight and concludes tomorrow. Also today, Knopf has published Davis’s book, Competing with Idiots, a dual portrait of Joseph and Herman Mankiewicz that had been in the works for nearly two decades. The Hollywood royals were his great-uncle and grandfather, respectively.
“I’ve thought about what common ground there is between these projects,” Davis said in an interview with Deadline. “And I think what it is is that I have no memory of not being Herman Mankiewicz’s grandson.
- 9/14/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Jannat Gargi has been named senior vice president and head of documentaries at Westbrook, where she will be tasked with making non-fiction features and premium series.
She joins the media company from Vice Studios, where she most recently held the role of vice president of documentaries. At Vice, Gargi developed documentaries such as “Flee,” which won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and will be released by Neon this fall, as well as a limited series for ESPN’s “30 For 30” about the American Gladiators.
Westbrook is the media company founded by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Its films and series include “Cobra Kai,” “Red Table Talk” and “King Richard.” The company was in the headlines over the weekend after news broke that it was in talks to sell itself to a media venture backed by private equity firm Blackstone and led by Disney vets Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer.
She joins the media company from Vice Studios, where she most recently held the role of vice president of documentaries. At Vice, Gargi developed documentaries such as “Flee,” which won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and will be released by Neon this fall, as well as a limited series for ESPN’s “30 For 30” about the American Gladiators.
Westbrook is the media company founded by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Its films and series include “Cobra Kai,” “Red Table Talk” and “King Richard.” The company was in the headlines over the weekend after news broke that it was in talks to sell itself to a media venture backed by private equity firm Blackstone and led by Disney vets Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer.
- 9/13/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
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