Exclusive: Andrew DeYoung has been tapped to direct and executive produce HBO’s half-hour comedy pilot The Chair Company, starring Tim Robinson. The project hails from Robinson and his writing partner Zach Kanin, and is executive produced by Adam McKay and Todd Schulman for McKay’s Hyperobject Industries.
In The Chair Company, written and executive produced by Robinson and Kanin, after an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.
The project continues DeYoung’s with Robinson, having most recently shot his feature debut comedy Friendship, from Fifth Season and BoulderLight Pictures, with Robinson and Paul Rudd. He co-wrote and directed the Peacock sketch comedy special Would It Kill You To Laugh? through A24. Recent credits include directing episodes of the hit Max series Our Flag Means Death and upcoming Jenji Kohan Netflix series Decameron. He has directed multiple episodes, including the series finale, of...
In The Chair Company, written and executive produced by Robinson and Kanin, after an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.
The project continues DeYoung’s with Robinson, having most recently shot his feature debut comedy Friendship, from Fifth Season and BoulderLight Pictures, with Robinson and Paul Rudd. He co-wrote and directed the Peacock sketch comedy special Would It Kill You To Laugh? through A24. Recent credits include directing episodes of the hit Max series Our Flag Means Death and upcoming Jenji Kohan Netflix series Decameron. He has directed multiple episodes, including the series finale, of...
- 4/18/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The creative force behind the American sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave, Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, are getting the band back together after landing a pilot at HBO for their new project, The Chair Company. Robinson and Kanin wrote the half-hour comedy pilot, with production courtesy of Adam McKay and Todd Schulman for Hyperobject Industries.
Written and executive-produced by Robinson and Kanin, The Chair Company focuses on a man (Robinson) investigating a far-reaching conspiracy after an embarrassing workplace incident. The Chair Company arrives at HBO just as the network has sunsetted Bill Hader’s Barry and Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm in the past several months.
Robinson and Kanin met while working as writers on Saturday Night Live. They’ve collaborated on other projects, such as Comedy Central‘s Detroiters and the sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson for Netflix. The...
Written and executive-produced by Robinson and Kanin, The Chair Company focuses on a man (Robinson) investigating a far-reaching conspiracy after an embarrassing workplace incident. The Chair Company arrives at HBO just as the network has sunsetted Bill Hader’s Barry and Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm in the past several months.
Robinson and Kanin met while working as writers on Saturday Night Live. They’ve collaborated on other projects, such as Comedy Central‘s Detroiters and the sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson for Netflix. The...
- 4/2/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
HBO has given a pilot order to the comedy “The Chair Company” from Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, Variety has confirmed.
Both Robinson and Kanin serve as writers and executive producers on the pilot, with Robinson also set to star. Adam McKay and Todd Schulman will also executive produce via Hyperobject Industries, which is under an overall deal at HBO.
The logline for the series states, “After an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.”
Kanin and Robinson are frequent collaborators, beginning with their time together on the writing staff of “Saturday Night Live.” They then went on to co-create the popular Comedy Central series “Detroiters” with Sam Richardson and Joe Kelly (with Robinson and Richardson starring) and the Netflix sketch comedy series “I Think You Should Leave” (with Robinson also starring). The latter show won the Emmy Award for best short form series...
Both Robinson and Kanin serve as writers and executive producers on the pilot, with Robinson also set to star. Adam McKay and Todd Schulman will also executive produce via Hyperobject Industries, which is under an overall deal at HBO.
The logline for the series states, “After an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.”
Kanin and Robinson are frequent collaborators, beginning with their time together on the writing staff of “Saturday Night Live.” They then went on to co-create the popular Comedy Central series “Detroiters” with Sam Richardson and Joe Kelly (with Robinson and Richardson starring) and the Netflix sketch comedy series “I Think You Should Leave” (with Robinson also starring). The latter show won the Emmy Award for best short form series...
- 4/2/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO has given the green light to The Chair Company, a half-hour comedy pilot starring Tim Robinson. The project, from Robinson and his writing partner Zach Kanin, is also executive produced by Adam McKay and Todd Schulman for Hyperobject Industries.
In The Chair Company, written and executive produced by Robinson and Kanin, after an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.
HBO has been ramping up comedy development as two of its signature comedy series, Barry and Curb Your Enthusiasm, have come to an end over the past 10 months. Just like with both of those award-winning series, the network is betting on creators-performers for its next crop of comedies.
The pickup of The Chair Company follows HBO’s pilot order to a half-hour starring, written and executive produced by Rachel Sennott.
This marks the latest collaboration for Robinson and Kanin who met while...
In The Chair Company, written and executive produced by Robinson and Kanin, after an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.
HBO has been ramping up comedy development as two of its signature comedy series, Barry and Curb Your Enthusiasm, have come to an end over the past 10 months. Just like with both of those award-winning series, the network is betting on creators-performers for its next crop of comedies.
The pickup of The Chair Company follows HBO’s pilot order to a half-hour starring, written and executive produced by Rachel Sennott.
This marks the latest collaboration for Robinson and Kanin who met while...
- 4/2/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Imax and Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries have started production on Stormbound, a feature documentary the follows storm chaser Jeff Gammons.
Imax is financing the project, which is directed by Miko Lim (Ocean Mother) using Imax film and Imax digital cameras. It’s slated for release in 2025 across the big-screen theater network.
“Next to firefighters, there may be no more frontline view of our changing climate than storm chasers. It’s a terrifying and beautiful pursuit that will be stunning in the Imax format,” said McKay (Don’t Look Up).
“This film will transport audiences to the eye of the storm. The sheer power and beauty of nature has never been seen like this before,” said Imax head of documentaries, John Turner. “Stormbound is what a documentary blockbuster should be about; incredible storytelling matched with Imax’s unparalleled immersive experience.”
The film travels with Gammons into the dangerous world of storm chasing during peak U.
Imax is financing the project, which is directed by Miko Lim (Ocean Mother) using Imax film and Imax digital cameras. It’s slated for release in 2025 across the big-screen theater network.
“Next to firefighters, there may be no more frontline view of our changing climate than storm chasers. It’s a terrifying and beautiful pursuit that will be stunning in the Imax format,” said McKay (Don’t Look Up).
“This film will transport audiences to the eye of the storm. The sheer power and beauty of nature has never been seen like this before,” said Imax head of documentaries, John Turner. “Stormbound is what a documentary blockbuster should be about; incredible storytelling matched with Imax’s unparalleled immersive experience.”
The film travels with Gammons into the dangerous world of storm chasing during peak U.
- 1/11/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-winning filmmaker Adam McKay is set to produce Stormbound, an upcoming Imax feature doc about storm chasers.
Imax will finance the pic now in production from McKay’s Hyperobject Industries. Miko Lim will direct the film using proprietary Imax film and digital cameras ahead of a planned 2025 release.
News of Stormbound, which follows the life of storm chaser Jeff Gammons during peak storm season in the U.S., comes after McKay shelved his Netflix political satire Average Height, Average Build that was set to star Robert Pattinson and Amy Adams to instead focus on a project revolving around climate change.
McKay also directed Don’t Look Up for Netflix, a disaster movie about a planet-killing comet hurtling toward Earth that stands in as a metaphor for the climate crisis. “Next to firefighters, there may be no more frontline view of our changing climate than storm chasers. It’s a terrifying and...
Imax will finance the pic now in production from McKay’s Hyperobject Industries. Miko Lim will direct the film using proprietary Imax film and digital cameras ahead of a planned 2025 release.
News of Stormbound, which follows the life of storm chaser Jeff Gammons during peak storm season in the U.S., comes after McKay shelved his Netflix political satire Average Height, Average Build that was set to star Robert Pattinson and Amy Adams to instead focus on a project revolving around climate change.
McKay also directed Don’t Look Up for Netflix, a disaster movie about a planet-killing comet hurtling toward Earth that stands in as a metaphor for the climate crisis. “Next to firefighters, there may be no more frontline view of our changing climate than storm chasers. It’s a terrifying and...
- 1/11/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Prime Video Sports has greenlit a feature-length documentary about NFL star wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the former Philadelphia Eagles great and three-time Pro Bowler who announced his retirement from the league earlier this week.
The untitled documentary is based around footage that DeSean Jackson’s brother, Byron Jackson, began filming 30 years ago. “It started as an attempt to reconnect with his father, but turned into the project of a lifetime — following DeSean’s unexpected rise from nine-year-old Pop Warner prodigy to one of the best wide receivers in NFL history,” a press release describing the film explains.
The project features thousands of hours of intimate home video which, the release notes, “reveals a profoundly complex relationship between two brothers, their father and what it really means to be family, all while under the immense pressure to play football at the highest level.”
The announcement of the new film follows the...
The untitled documentary is based around footage that DeSean Jackson’s brother, Byron Jackson, began filming 30 years ago. “It started as an attempt to reconnect with his father, but turned into the project of a lifetime — following DeSean’s unexpected rise from nine-year-old Pop Warner prodigy to one of the best wide receivers in NFL history,” a press release describing the film explains.
The project features thousands of hours of intimate home video which, the release notes, “reveals a profoundly complex relationship between two brothers, their father and what it really means to be family, all while under the immense pressure to play football at the highest level.”
The announcement of the new film follows the...
- 12/1/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
John Lurie is putting away his watercolors.
The actor, musician and painter revealed that his show Painting with John will end with its third season on HBO.
The series, which is part meditative tutorial and part fireside chat, sees Lurie shares his philosophical thoughts while honing his watercolor techniques.
Lurie revealed the news on social media, saying that he is “sad about it, but it is a miracle that it ever happened at all”.
The series launched in January 2021, the second season premiered in February 2022 and the third season launched in June 2023.
Lurie, who co-founded the jazz ensemble Lounge Lizards, has starred in films including Stranger Than Paradise and Down By Law and was behind the Grammy nominated soundtrack for Get Shorty. He is also well known for Fishing with John, a cult series that aired on IFC and Bravo in the early 90s.
Written and directed by Lurie, who also did the music,...
The actor, musician and painter revealed that his show Painting with John will end with its third season on HBO.
The series, which is part meditative tutorial and part fireside chat, sees Lurie shares his philosophical thoughts while honing his watercolor techniques.
Lurie revealed the news on social media, saying that he is “sad about it, but it is a miracle that it ever happened at all”.
The series launched in January 2021, the second season premiered in February 2022 and the third season launched in June 2023.
Lurie, who co-founded the jazz ensemble Lounge Lizards, has starred in films including Stranger Than Paradise and Down By Law and was behind the Grammy nominated soundtrack for Get Shorty. He is also well known for Fishing with John, a cult series that aired on IFC and Bravo in the early 90s.
Written and directed by Lurie, who also did the music,...
- 8/16/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“Painting with John” has been canceled at HBO after three seasons.
Series creator and host John Lurie made the announcement via Twitter. “I am sorry to say that season 3 of Painting with John will be the last,” he wrote. “I am sad about it, but it is a miracle that it ever happened at all. Thanks to HBO, Adam McKay, Todd Schulman, Erik Mockus, Nesrin Wolf and AnnMary James. Show is still on Max if you haven’t seen it.”
Season 3 of the series aired between June and July this year. The show originally debuted on HBO in 2021.
Lurie starred in the series along with Nesrin Wolf and Ann Mary James. Lurie also wrote and directed the series in addition to providing the music. Erik Mockus was the cinematographer and editor. Wolf was a producer on the series, with Matt Dwyer co-producing. Adam McKay and Todd Schulman executive produced via Hyperobject Industries.
Series creator and host John Lurie made the announcement via Twitter. “I am sorry to say that season 3 of Painting with John will be the last,” he wrote. “I am sad about it, but it is a miracle that it ever happened at all. Thanks to HBO, Adam McKay, Todd Schulman, Erik Mockus, Nesrin Wolf and AnnMary James. Show is still on Max if you haven’t seen it.”
Season 3 of the series aired between June and July this year. The show originally debuted on HBO in 2021.
Lurie starred in the series along with Nesrin Wolf and Ann Mary James. Lurie also wrote and directed the series in addition to providing the music. Erik Mockus was the cinematographer and editor. Wolf was a producer on the series, with Matt Dwyer co-producing. Adam McKay and Todd Schulman executive produced via Hyperobject Industries.
- 8/16/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Cody Heller admits she was terrified when she began production on the mockumentary series Jury Duty, which features a cast of actors putting on a fictional civil trial in which one single member of the jury is a non-actor — an everyman named Ronald Gladden — who is unaware that everything around him is completely fake. Over the course of three weeks, Heller ran an experimental production in which much of what happens onscreen was designed to follow Gladden as he serves as the jury’s foreman while sequestered with a motley crew of personalities of varying extremes — including Hollywood actor James Marsden, who earned an Emmy nomination for his supporting turn as a heightened version of himself.
Heller spoke with THR to break down how the series found its hero in Gladden, what extensive preparation was needed to pull off the production and why the end result restored her faith in humanity.
Heller spoke with THR to break down how the series found its hero in Gladden, what extensive preparation was needed to pull off the production and why the end result restored her faith in humanity.
- 8/12/2023
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The much-anticipated HBO original documentary film, “Bs High,” is set to premiere on Wednesday, August 23 at 9:00-10:40 p.m. Et/Pt on HBO and will also be available to stream on HBO Max. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, and executive produced by Adam McKay, the documentary delves into the perplexing world of high school football and an astonishing scandal that captured national attention.
“Bs High” centers around the shocking events that unfolded during a nationally televised high school football game on August 29, 2021. The game pitted the well-known Img Academy against the lesser-known Bishop Sycamore High School. The match concluded in a staggering 58-0 victory for Img Academy, but the real drama was just beginning. The ensuing media frenzy questioned the legitimacy of Bishop Sycamore High School and its enigmatic head coach, Roy Johnson.
The documentary unravels the captivating narrative behind one of...
“Bs High” centers around the shocking events that unfolded during a nationally televised high school football game on August 29, 2021. The game pitted the well-known Img Academy against the lesser-known Bishop Sycamore High School. The match concluded in a staggering 58-0 victory for Img Academy, but the real drama was just beginning. The ensuing media frenzy questioned the legitimacy of Bishop Sycamore High School and its enigmatic head coach, Roy Johnson.
The documentary unravels the captivating narrative behind one of...
- 8/10/2023
- by Morgan Hall
- TV Everyday
From Executive Producers Adam McKay And Michael Strahan
Academy Award®-Winning Directors Travon Free And Martin Desmond Roe Chronicle Infamous Bishop Sycamore High School Football Team
HBO Original documentary film Bs High, directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe (“Two Distant Strangers”), and executive produced by Adam McKay (HBO’s “Succession” and “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”) and Todd Schulman for Hyperobject Industries, Smac Entertainment’s Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini, and Matador Content’s Jay Peterson and Todd Lubin debuts Wednesday, August 23 (9:00-10:40 p.m. Et/Pt) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The documentary had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
Synopsis: On August 29, 2021, a nationally televised high school football game between top-ranked Img Academy and unknown Bishop Sycamore High School ended with multiple injuries on the field and a 58-0 blowout win for Img Academy.
Academy Award®-Winning Directors Travon Free And Martin Desmond Roe Chronicle Infamous Bishop Sycamore High School Football Team
HBO Original documentary film Bs High, directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe (“Two Distant Strangers”), and executive produced by Adam McKay (HBO’s “Succession” and “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”) and Todd Schulman for Hyperobject Industries, Smac Entertainment’s Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini, and Matador Content’s Jay Peterson and Todd Lubin debuts Wednesday, August 23 (9:00-10:40 p.m. Et/Pt) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The documentary had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.
Synopsis: On August 29, 2021, a nationally televised high school football game between top-ranked Img Academy and unknown Bishop Sycamore High School ended with multiple injuries on the field and a 58-0 blowout win for Img Academy.
- 8/3/2023
- by Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Jury Duty has become a big hit for Amazon Freevee. The executive producers of the series, David Bernad and Todd Schulman, think the concept behind the series is ‘infinitely repeatable.’ So there is a good chance the series may be renewed for a second season.
Season one of the docu-comedy stars James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball, Pramode Kumar, Trisha Lafache, Mekki Leeper, Brandon Loeser, Edy Modica, Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, Kerry O’Neill, Whitney Rice, Maria Russell, Ishmel Sahid, Ben Seaward, Ron Song, and Evan Williams. The season follows a jury trial where everyone is an actor except for one jury member, a solar contractor from California named Ronald Gladden, who believes he's taking part in an actual trial.
Read More…...
Season one of the docu-comedy stars James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball, Pramode Kumar, Trisha Lafache, Mekki Leeper, Brandon Loeser, Edy Modica, Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, Kerry O’Neill, Whitney Rice, Maria Russell, Ishmel Sahid, Ben Seaward, Ron Song, and Evan Williams. The season follows a jury trial where everyone is an actor except for one jury member, a solar contractor from California named Ronald Gladden, who believes he's taking part in an actual trial.
Read More…...
- 5/6/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
After a decade-long friendship, comedy producers David Bernad and Todd Schulman finally put together their hidden-camera comedy expertise to make Amazon Freevee’s viral success “Jury Duty.”
The executive producers of the overnight hit mockumentary combined their talents for the improvised-scripted sitcom. Bernad and Schulman began with the idea to hone in on sitcom genre tropes and create a story about an isolated individual amongst a cast of actors as they served on a sequestered jury.
The two have had successful stints with unconventional comedy subgenres, most recently within the improvised-scripted sphere. Schulman worked with Sacha Baron Cohen on “Who Is America?” and Bernad teamed with Eric Andre on “Bad Trip.” Prior to “Jury Duty,” Schulman served as executive producer on “Borat,” “Bruno,” “The Lovebirds” and “The Dictator,” while Bernad executive produced “The White Lotus,” “Superstore,” “Uncharted” and “White House Plumbers.“
Since “Jury Duty’s” ending, audiences have embraced star...
The executive producers of the overnight hit mockumentary combined their talents for the improvised-scripted sitcom. Bernad and Schulman began with the idea to hone in on sitcom genre tropes and create a story about an isolated individual amongst a cast of actors as they served on a sequestered jury.
The two have had successful stints with unconventional comedy subgenres, most recently within the improvised-scripted sphere. Schulman worked with Sacha Baron Cohen on “Who Is America?” and Bernad teamed with Eric Andre on “Bad Trip.” Prior to “Jury Duty,” Schulman served as executive producer on “Borat,” “Bruno,” “The Lovebirds” and “The Dictator,” while Bernad executive produced “The White Lotus,” “Superstore,” “Uncharted” and “White House Plumbers.“
Since “Jury Duty’s” ending, audiences have embraced star...
- 5/5/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
If you haven’t discovered the eight-part genre-bending comedy “Jury Duty” that started streaming April 7 on Amazon’s free streaming service Freevee, it’s time that you did. It’s been described as the world’s first feelgood prank show, and it’s all of that and more. Here the elevator pitch: “The Office” meets “The Truman Show.” Here’s the premise: A guy answers a Craigslist add looking for someone to participate in a filmed documentary about serving on a jury. What they don’t mention is that they would essentially be unwittingly performing in a sitcom that the person didn’t know was a sitcom and that everyone surrounding them – and we do mean everyone – was an actor.
That unsuspecting dupe happens to be a good-natured, game-for-anything young man named Ronald Gladden, and through the eight episodes of “Jury Duty” we follows his selection onto the purported jury...
That unsuspecting dupe happens to be a good-natured, game-for-anything young man named Ronald Gladden, and through the eight episodes of “Jury Duty” we follows his selection onto the purported jury...
- 5/1/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York City, including red carpets for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Love & Death, Bupkis and Fatal Attraction.
Chaplin Award Gala
Viola Davis was honored at the Chaplin Awards Gala in NYC on Monday, with support from Meryl Streep, Jessica Chastain, Steve McQueen, Gina Prince-Bythewood and husband Julius Tennon.
Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain Steve McQueen, Jessica Chastain, Meryl Streep, Julius Tennon, Viola Davis, Gina Prince-Bythewood, George C. Wolfe and Jayme Lawson
Fatal Attraction premiere
Joshua Jackson, Lizzy Caplan, Amanda Peet, Alyssa Jirrels, Toby Huss, Brian Goodman, Reno Wilson and showrunner Alexandra Cunningham walked the carpet at the Fatal Attraction premiere in L.A. on Monday.
Reno Wilson, Toby Huss, Alyssa Jirrels, Lizzy Caplan, Joshua Jackson, Amanda Peet, Dee Wallace and Brian Goodman Alexandra Cunningham, Lizzy Caplan and Nicole Clemens...
Chaplin Award Gala
Viola Davis was honored at the Chaplin Awards Gala in NYC on Monday, with support from Meryl Streep, Jessica Chastain, Steve McQueen, Gina Prince-Bythewood and husband Julius Tennon.
Meryl Streep, Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain Steve McQueen, Jessica Chastain, Meryl Streep, Julius Tennon, Viola Davis, Gina Prince-Bythewood, George C. Wolfe and Jayme Lawson
Fatal Attraction premiere
Joshua Jackson, Lizzy Caplan, Amanda Peet, Alyssa Jirrels, Toby Huss, Brian Goodman, Reno Wilson and showrunner Alexandra Cunningham walked the carpet at the Fatal Attraction premiere in L.A. on Monday.
Reno Wilson, Toby Huss, Alyssa Jirrels, Lizzy Caplan, Joshua Jackson, Amanda Peet, Dee Wallace and Brian Goodman Alexandra Cunningham, Lizzy Caplan and Nicole Clemens...
- 4/28/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Years after she released her series “Dummy” on the now-defunct Quibi, Cody Heller decided to go into her next project without expectations. In doing so, she’s had her mind blown by the positive reaction she saw online as people received her latest work, “Jury Duty.”
Starring James Marsden, the documentary-style comedy takes one unsuspecting civilian and puts them through a series of pranks. The catch? He doesn’t know everything is fake. The entire case is fake — the judge, courtroom, bailiffs, and all of his peers are all paid actors and everything this team of “jurors” experienced is carefully orchestrated by Heller and her team of writers.
It’s a months long process from development and pre-production that sets the stage for the series, which would go on to become a success for Amazon’s free streaming platform, Freevee.
First, Heller needed a main character — an unwittingly honest protagonist...
Starring James Marsden, the documentary-style comedy takes one unsuspecting civilian and puts them through a series of pranks. The catch? He doesn’t know everything is fake. The entire case is fake — the judge, courtroom, bailiffs, and all of his peers are all paid actors and everything this team of “jurors” experienced is carefully orchestrated by Heller and her team of writers.
It’s a months long process from development and pre-production that sets the stage for the series, which would go on to become a success for Amazon’s free streaming platform, Freevee.
First, Heller needed a main character — an unwittingly honest protagonist...
- 4/26/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
If you haven’t moaned out loud upon getting a jury duty summons, you no doubt have heard the whimper from someone else. The perfect setting for a sitcom, right? Well just imagine if the eclectic assortment of personalities you’d find while serving as a juror was cast with unknown improvisational actors trying a fake case — and you were the only one not in on the joke. That is what Amazon Freevee has pulled off with its new show called simply “Jury Duty.” And, according to executive producers Nicholas Hatton and Cody Heller, it was quite a complicated undertaking.
The concept was an amalgamation of ideas from writer/producers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, who had written a script about jury duty in the style of their previous hit “The Office,” along with longtime Sasha Baron Cohen collaborator Todd Schulman and producer David Bernad, who collectively came up with the idea,...
The concept was an amalgamation of ideas from writer/producers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, who had written a script about jury duty in the style of their previous hit “The Office,” along with longtime Sasha Baron Cohen collaborator Todd Schulman and producer David Bernad, who collectively came up with the idea,...
- 4/14/2023
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
The reality comedy series “Jury Duty” is an elaborate prank on one normal man, and you’ll want to be in on the joke.
On Tuesday, Amazon released a trailer for the series, which is coming to the free ad-supported service Freevee on April 7. It’s a “docu-comedy” following Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor from San Diego who thinks he’s taking part in a documentary about an American jury trial, from juror selection through verdict. In reality, it’s all fake, every other participant is an actor, and everything that happens is carefully scripted to make him feel like he’s taking crazy pills.
“Jury Duty” was created by “The Office” veterans Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky. “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” and “Who Is America?” producer Todd Schulman is an EP. Cody Heller (“Dummy”) is the showrunner, and Jake Szymanski (“The Package”) is the director.
“Jury Duty originated with a...
On Tuesday, Amazon released a trailer for the series, which is coming to the free ad-supported service Freevee on April 7. It’s a “docu-comedy” following Ronald Gladden, a solar contractor from San Diego who thinks he’s taking part in a documentary about an American jury trial, from juror selection through verdict. In reality, it’s all fake, every other participant is an actor, and everything that happens is carefully scripted to make him feel like he’s taking crazy pills.
“Jury Duty” was created by “The Office” veterans Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky. “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” and “Who Is America?” producer Todd Schulman is an EP. Cody Heller (“Dummy”) is the showrunner, and Jake Szymanski (“The Package”) is the director.
“Jury Duty originated with a...
- 3/8/2023
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
The creative minds behind The Office set their new docu-style comedy in the courtroom. Amazon Freevee’s Jury Duty, which just released a trailer, focuses on 12 jurors…but only one doesn’t realize he’s not sitting on a real jury.
“Jury Duty originated with a question: Was it possible to make a sitcom like The Office about a trial, populate it with brilliant comedic performers, and put a real person at the center of the show who doesn’t realize he’s surrounded by actors?” said executive producer Todd Schulman (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). “We honestly had no idea, but when we pitched it to Freevee we pretended like it was a sure thing. Thank God we pulled it off.”
The Office‘s Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky created the series and serve as executive producers. David Bernad (The White Lotus), Ruben Fleischer (Superstore), Nicholas Hatton (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), Cody Heller...
“Jury Duty originated with a question: Was it possible to make a sitcom like The Office about a trial, populate it with brilliant comedic performers, and put a real person at the center of the show who doesn’t realize he’s surrounded by actors?” said executive producer Todd Schulman (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). “We honestly had no idea, but when we pitched it to Freevee we pretended like it was a sure thing. Thank God we pulled it off.”
The Office‘s Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky created the series and serve as executive producers. David Bernad (The White Lotus), Ruben Fleischer (Superstore), Nicholas Hatton (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), Cody Heller...
- 3/7/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
James Marsden is one of 11 actors out to lead a “fellow juror” on the legal lark of his life in Jury Duty, a docu-style comedy series heading to Amazon’s Freevee this spring.
Premiering Friday, April 7 with its first four episodes (followed by two weekly drops of two episodes), Jury Duty aims to chronicle “the inner workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of one particular juror, Ronald Gladden,” a solar contractor from San Diego.
More from TVLineBosch Franchise Expanding With 2 New Crime Dramas in DevelopmentPast Neighbours Episodes Get Freevee Release Date, Ahead of Uncancelled Aussie Soap Opera's...
Premiering Friday, April 7 with its first four episodes (followed by two weekly drops of two episodes), Jury Duty aims to chronicle “the inner workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of one particular juror, Ronald Gladden,” a solar contractor from San Diego.
More from TVLineBosch Franchise Expanding With 2 New Crime Dramas in DevelopmentPast Neighbours Episodes Get Freevee Release Date, Ahead of Uncancelled Aussie Soap Opera's...
- 3/7/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
“Jury Duty,” the upcoming docu-style comedy series starring James Marsden as himself, explores truths stranger than fiction when one unsuspecting juror is put in a courtroom of actors for a fake case and a faker documentary.
Marsden leads the “Truman Show”-style misadventure, playing a version of himself who tries – and fails – to get out of his civic duty when the judge fails to recognize him as a public figure. In the first trailer for the Amazon Freevee series, which dropped Tuesday, other characters are seen pushing the envelope of what’s acceptable behavior in the literal court of law – while real-life juror Ronald Gladden goes about his duty being none the wiser that everything is staged.
Coming from the producers of “The Office,” “The White Lotus” and “Bad Trip,” “Jury Duty” is just the latest comedy series to blend genres of reality and scripted, following in the steps of Sacha Baron Cohen,...
Marsden leads the “Truman Show”-style misadventure, playing a version of himself who tries – and fails – to get out of his civic duty when the judge fails to recognize him as a public figure. In the first trailer for the Amazon Freevee series, which dropped Tuesday, other characters are seen pushing the envelope of what’s acceptable behavior in the literal court of law – while real-life juror Ronald Gladden goes about his duty being none the wiser that everything is staged.
Coming from the producers of “The Office,” “The White Lotus” and “Bad Trip,” “Jury Duty” is just the latest comedy series to blend genres of reality and scripted, following in the steps of Sacha Baron Cohen,...
- 3/7/2023
- by Benjamin Lindsay
- The Wrap
Amazon Freevee’s new docu-style comedy series Jury Duty is set to premiere with four episodes on April 7. The 8-episode multi-camera comedy starring James Marsden will drop two new episodes each Friday thereafter until April 21.
Related Story Amazon Freevee Has Secretly Shot A Jury Trial Docu-Style Comedy Series Starring James Marsden Related Story 'Creed III's Jonathan Majors To Star In 'Da Understudy' For Amazon & Westbrook; Spike Lee Circling Related Story MGM's 'Creed III' $58M+ Franchise Record Opening A Gamechanger For Amazon Studios – Sunday Box Office
Deadline exclusively revealed the top secret project from Amazon Studios was in the works back in September. Watch the trailer above.
Jury Duty chronicles the inner workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of one particular juror, Ronald Gladden. Gladden is unaware the entire case is fake, everyone except him is an actor, including Marsden, and everything that...
Related Story Amazon Freevee Has Secretly Shot A Jury Trial Docu-Style Comedy Series Starring James Marsden Related Story 'Creed III's Jonathan Majors To Star In 'Da Understudy' For Amazon & Westbrook; Spike Lee Circling Related Story MGM's 'Creed III' $58M+ Franchise Record Opening A Gamechanger For Amazon Studios – Sunday Box Office
Deadline exclusively revealed the top secret project from Amazon Studios was in the works back in September. Watch the trailer above.
Jury Duty chronicles the inner workings of an American jury trial through the eyes of one particular juror, Ronald Gladden. Gladden is unaware the entire case is fake, everyone except him is an actor, including Marsden, and everything that...
- 3/7/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
The second season of HBO Original late night series Game Theory With Bomani Jones continues on Friday, February 3 (11:00-11:30 p.m. Et/Pt). This week’s episode will feature topical commentary on the most-talked about issues in sports, a deep dive into Jake Paul’s latest business venture with sports betting and interviews with Paul and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. New episodes air Fridays on HBO and are available to stream on HBO Max. The episode will re-air on Thursday, February 9 at 6:30pm Et/Pt on TNT.
Praised by The Grio as “intelligent and hilarious,” Game Theory With Bomani Jones sees the Emmy®-winning Jones share his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. Jones has been regarded by GQ as a “star with something to say” and “the most insightful sports commentator on television.”
About Bomani Jones...
Praised by The Grio as “intelligent and hilarious,” Game Theory With Bomani Jones sees the Emmy®-winning Jones share his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. Jones has been regarded by GQ as a “star with something to say” and “the most insightful sports commentator on television.”
About Bomani Jones...
- 2/2/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
The second season of HBO Original late night series Game Theory With Bomani Jones continues on Friday, January 27 (11:00-11:30 p.m. Et/Pt). New episodes air Fridays on HBO and are available to stream on HBO Max. The episode will re-air on Thursday, February 2 at 6:30pm Et/Pt on TNT.
Topics and guests: This week’s episode will feature topical commentary on the most-talked about issues in sports, a one-on-one interview with NFL Network host Kyle Brandt,and a deep dive into Brett Favre’s legacy amid his alleged involvement in the Mississippi Welfare Fund scandal.
Praised by The Grio as “intelligent and hilarious,” Game Theory With Bomani Jones sees the Emmy®-winning Jones share his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. Jones has been regarded by GQ as a “star with something to say” and “the...
Topics and guests: This week’s episode will feature topical commentary on the most-talked about issues in sports, a one-on-one interview with NFL Network host Kyle Brandt,and a deep dive into Brett Favre’s legacy amid his alleged involvement in the Mississippi Welfare Fund scandal.
Praised by The Grio as “intelligent and hilarious,” Game Theory With Bomani Jones sees the Emmy®-winning Jones share his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. Jones has been regarded by GQ as a “star with something to say” and “the...
- 1/25/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
The HBO Original late night series Game Theory With Bomani Jones returns for its second season Friday, January 20 (11:00-11:30 p.m. Et/Pt). New episodes will debut subsequent Fridays on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
Topics and guests: The season debut will feature topical commentary on this week’s most-talked about issues in sports, a one-on-one interview with FS1 host Nick Wright, and a deep dive on player empowerment in sports.
Praised by The Grio as “intelligent and hilarious,” Game Theory With Bomani Jones sees the Emmy®-winning Jones share his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. Jones has been regarded by GQ as a “star with something to say” and “the most insightful sports commentator on television.”
About Bomani Jones: Jones is currently a contributor on HBO’s “Back on The...
Topics and guests: The season debut will feature topical commentary on this week’s most-talked about issues in sports, a one-on-one interview with FS1 host Nick Wright, and a deep dive on player empowerment in sports.
Praised by The Grio as “intelligent and hilarious,” Game Theory With Bomani Jones sees the Emmy®-winning Jones share his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. Jones has been regarded by GQ as a “star with something to say” and “the most insightful sports commentator on television.”
About Bomani Jones: Jones is currently a contributor on HBO’s “Back on The...
- 1/18/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Gravitas Ventures has secured North American rights to Julian Rubinstein’s “The Holly,” a documentary about the high-profile shooting case of anti-gang activist Terrance Roberts. The film, which debuted at Telluride’s Mountainfilm Festival in May, is executive produced by Adam McKay and Todd Schulman’s Hyperobject Industries. Gravitas will release the docu in three theaters and on-demand on Feb. 3.
Filmed over an eight-year period in Denver’s historic Holly neighborhood, the docu centers around activist, former gang member, and current Denver mayoral candidate Terrance Roberts. When the doc starts, Roberts — whose anti-gang efforts received federal funding — is facing life in prison for shooting someone at his own peace rally. The shooting happened in the Holly neighborhood, which was once the center of Denver’s Civil Rights movement. The neighborhood eventually became the home of Denver’s first Bloods street gang and a target of undercover police operations. In the doc,...
Filmed over an eight-year period in Denver’s historic Holly neighborhood, the docu centers around activist, former gang member, and current Denver mayoral candidate Terrance Roberts. When the doc starts, Roberts — whose anti-gang efforts received federal funding — is facing life in prison for shooting someone at his own peace rally. The shooting happened in the Holly neighborhood, which was once the center of Denver’s Civil Rights movement. The neighborhood eventually became the home of Denver’s first Bloods street gang and a target of undercover police operations. In the doc,...
- 12/2/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO’s original late-night series Game Theory With Bomani Jones, from Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries, will return for its second season Jan. 20 with a new day and time, running Fridays at 11 Pm on HBO. The show, whose previous season premiered on Sundays, will also be available to stream on HBO Max.
Zach Rice, who was a writer on Season 1, has been promoted to head writer and co-executive producer for Season 2.
In Game Theory, Emmy-winning sports journalist and TV personality Bomani Jones shares his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. In season one, he tackled Duke basketball, The Masters and the NFL Draft, and examined the athletic renaissance of historically black colleges and universities and nepotism in the coaching ranks of the NFL. Here is a clip from Season 2:
This month, HBO is releasing two sports documentaries, Say Hey,...
Zach Rice, who was a writer on Season 1, has been promoted to head writer and co-executive producer for Season 2.
In Game Theory, Emmy-winning sports journalist and TV personality Bomani Jones shares his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives. In season one, he tackled Duke basketball, The Masters and the NFL Draft, and examined the athletic renaissance of historically black colleges and universities and nepotism in the coaching ranks of the NFL. Here is a clip from Season 2:
This month, HBO is releasing two sports documentaries, Say Hey,...
- 11/3/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
When Miami-based documentary director Billy Corben and his producing partner Alfred Spellman received a June 2020 email with a subject line invoking Giancarlo Granda, Jerry Falwell Jr. and Donald Trump, they knew they had the next film for their Rakontur nonfiction banner.
Granda, a local pool boy who began having an affair with Falwell’s wife Becki in 2012, had sent the email. After telling his story to Reuters, Granda was ready to go on camera about his past relations with the evangelical couple. The result is the new Hulu documentary feature “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty,” released Nov. 1. In the doc, Granda claims that Falwell Jr., a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, was aware of and involved in the relationship he was having with Becki Falwell. After the Reuters article was published in 2020, Falwell Jr, stepped down as president of the evangelical college Liberty University in Lynchburg,...
Granda, a local pool boy who began having an affair with Falwell’s wife Becki in 2012, had sent the email. After telling his story to Reuters, Granda was ready to go on camera about his past relations with the evangelical couple. The result is the new Hulu documentary feature “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty,” released Nov. 1. In the doc, Granda claims that Falwell Jr., a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, was aware of and involved in the relationship he was having with Becki Falwell. After the Reuters article was published in 2020, Falwell Jr, stepped down as president of the evangelical college Liberty University in Lynchburg,...
- 11/1/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu is exploring the private life of Evangelical Christian leader Jerry Falwell Jr. The streamer has dropped a trailer for “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty,” an upcoming documentary exploring the scandal that lead to Falwell’s fall from grace in his community.
The documentary is built around interviews with Giancarlo Granda, who met Fallwell’s wife Becki as a pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach and engaged in a years-long affair with her. Granda alleged that the affair occurred with the knowledge and approval of Jerry Falwell, and that he occasionally watched the two have sex, which he has denied.
News of the affair became public in 2020, when Reuters published a story based on Granda’s account. The resulting controversy forced Falwell to resign from his position as president of Liberty University, the Evangelical University established by his father. Since then, it...
The documentary is built around interviews with Giancarlo Granda, who met Fallwell’s wife Becki as a pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach and engaged in a years-long affair with her. Granda alleged that the affair occurred with the knowledge and approval of Jerry Falwell, and that he occasionally watched the two have sex, which he has denied.
News of the affair became public in 2020, when Reuters published a story based on Granda’s account. The resulting controversy forced Falwell to resign from his position as president of Liberty University, the Evangelical University established by his father. Since then, it...
- 10/12/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Malala Yousafzai – activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and self-confessed “Stranger Things” fan – is in production on her first project for Apple, ‘Variety’ has revealed. Her production company Extracurricular has partnered with the indie studio A24 for a still-untitled feature documentary on the legendary “haenyeo” society of fisherwomen, who live on South Korea’s Jeju Island.
The Apple Original Films title is directed by Peabody Award nominee Sue Kim (“The Speed Cubers”) and is the first project to go into production from Extracurricular’s partnership with Apple TV+, which was struck in March 2021, notes ‘Variety’.
Malala unveiled her first slate of film and TV projects for Apple TV+ through Extracurricular on Monday.
Headlining the slate is the feature film adaptation of Elaine Hsieh Chou’s acclaimed book “Disorientation”, which was published earlier this year. A sharp-edged, celebrated satire, “Disorientation” is about a college student’s revealing dissertation on a young poet.
The Apple Original Films title is directed by Peabody Award nominee Sue Kim (“The Speed Cubers”) and is the first project to go into production from Extracurricular’s partnership with Apple TV+, which was struck in March 2021, notes ‘Variety’.
Malala unveiled her first slate of film and TV projects for Apple TV+ through Extracurricular on Monday.
Headlining the slate is the feature film adaptation of Elaine Hsieh Chou’s acclaimed book “Disorientation”, which was published earlier this year. A sharp-edged, celebrated satire, “Disorientation” is about a college student’s revealing dissertation on a young poet.
- 9/27/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Exclusive: There have been whispers for months about a top-secret courtroom docu-style comedy series filming to run on Amazon Freevee. We can reveal that the project, starring James Marsden, is now in post-production and headed to the screen.
“Freevee has confirmed the existence of the docu-style comedy series but details are under wraps amid speculation of the unique, genre-bending format centered around a jury trial,” a rep for the free, ad-supported platform told Deadline, declining further comment.
The secrecy surrounding the filming was driven by the nature of the semi-improvised series which we hear employs a device similar to the setup used in Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat and Brüno movies and the series Who Is America? where actors, often in disguise, interact with unsuspecting regular people.
In the case of the Freevee series, we hear Marsden and a group...
“Freevee has confirmed the existence of the docu-style comedy series but details are under wraps amid speculation of the unique, genre-bending format centered around a jury trial,” a rep for the free, ad-supported platform told Deadline, declining further comment.
The secrecy surrounding the filming was driven by the nature of the semi-improvised series which we hear employs a device similar to the setup used in Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat and Brüno movies and the series Who Is America? where actors, often in disguise, interact with unsuspecting regular people.
In the case of the Freevee series, we hear Marsden and a group...
- 9/15/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
HBO has begun production on a documentary about the Bishop Sycamore football scandal. Meanwhile, one of the film’s producers is being told to stop payment to a key participant who’s involved in a fraud case.
A refresher: A year ago, ESPN broadcast a game between powerhouse Img Academy — a Florida prep school for top-level high school athletes — and Bishop Sycamore of Columbus, Ohio, which claimed to have a number of sought after recruits on its own roster. Img won the game 58-0, and during the broadcast ESPN’s crew expressed concern for the safety of the Sycamore players. “Bishop Sycamore told us they had a number of Division I prospects on their roster, and to be frank, a lot of that we could not verify,” play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff said during the game.
After the game, reporting from a number of...
HBO has begun production on a documentary about the Bishop Sycamore football scandal. Meanwhile, one of the film’s producers is being told to stop payment to a key participant who’s involved in a fraud case.
A refresher: A year ago, ESPN broadcast a game between powerhouse Img Academy — a Florida prep school for top-level high school athletes — and Bishop Sycamore of Columbus, Ohio, which claimed to have a number of sought after recruits on its own roster. Img won the game 58-0, and during the broadcast ESPN’s crew expressed concern for the safety of the Sycamore players. “Bishop Sycamore told us they had a number of Division I prospects on their roster, and to be frank, a lot of that we could not verify,” play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff said during the game.
After the game, reporting from a number of...
- 8/29/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exactly one year ago today, the Bishop Sycamore high school football team took the field in a nationally televised game on ESPN, and proceeded to suffer a horrible 58-0 pounding by elite Img Academy. That was just the beginning of the program’s problems. Investigations and dismissals followed, amid allegations Bishop Sycamore wasn’t even a legitimate high school and, indeed, operated more like a scam.
HBO announced today it is in production on Bs High, a documentary about the scandal-plagued school in Columbus, Ohio, with a premiere expected next year on the cable network and streamer HBO Max. Filmmakers Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, who earned Academy Awards last year for their live action short Two Distant Strangers, are directing.
Hyperobject Industries’ Adam McKay and NFL Hall of Famer-turned GMA host Michael Strahan are among the project’s executive producers.
After the Centurions’ lopsided loss to Img Academy,...
HBO announced today it is in production on Bs High, a documentary about the scandal-plagued school in Columbus, Ohio, with a premiere expected next year on the cable network and streamer HBO Max. Filmmakers Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, who earned Academy Awards last year for their live action short Two Distant Strangers, are directing.
Hyperobject Industries’ Adam McKay and NFL Hall of Famer-turned GMA host Michael Strahan are among the project’s executive producers.
After the Centurions’ lopsided loss to Img Academy,...
- 8/29/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO is jumping into production on the upcoming “Bs High” documentary. Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe (“Two Distant Strangers”) have been named to direct the film, which will debut on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max in 2023.
According to the documentary’s synopsis, the story follows the investigation that ensued after August 29, 2021, when the Bishop Sycamore Centurions, a presumed high school football team from Columbus, Ohio, took on perennial prep powerhouse Img Academy.
The nationally televised game ended in the Centurions 58-0 loss, causing fans and audiences to question the legitimacy of the Bishop Sycamore program and the activities of now-fired head coach Roy Johnson. However, the final score and a fired head coach turned out to be just the beginning of the story.
Roe, who shares an Academy Award with Free for their 2020 short film, has a list of documentary credits which includes “Heist,” “We Are the Champions,...
According to the documentary’s synopsis, the story follows the investigation that ensued after August 29, 2021, when the Bishop Sycamore Centurions, a presumed high school football team from Columbus, Ohio, took on perennial prep powerhouse Img Academy.
The nationally televised game ended in the Centurions 58-0 loss, causing fans and audiences to question the legitimacy of the Bishop Sycamore program and the activities of now-fired head coach Roy Johnson. However, the final score and a fired head coach turned out to be just the beginning of the story.
Roe, who shares an Academy Award with Free for their 2020 short film, has a list of documentary credits which includes “Heist,” “We Are the Champions,...
- 8/29/2022
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Amid record-breaking viewership performance for “Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons,” Hulu has set the premiere date for its next big doc: the Adam McKay and Billy Corben-produced Jerry Falwell Jr. project, “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty,” Variety has learned exclusively.
Hailing from McKay’s HyperObject and Corben’s Rakontur banner, “God Forbid” tells the sensational story of evangelical leader and former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr., his wife Becki Falwell and Giancarlo Granda, the Miami pool boy who had an affair with Becki and claims that Jerry was aware of and involved in the relationship. The streamer says Granda is closely involved with the doc and his point of view is largely the focus of the movie.
Per Hulu’s official description for the movie, which will launch Nov. 1 on the Disney-owned streamer, “A Miami pool boy finds himself trapped in a seven-year...
Hailing from McKay’s HyperObject and Corben’s Rakontur banner, “God Forbid” tells the sensational story of evangelical leader and former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr., his wife Becki Falwell and Giancarlo Granda, the Miami pool boy who had an affair with Becki and claims that Jerry was aware of and involved in the relationship. The streamer says Granda is closely involved with the doc and his point of view is largely the focus of the movie.
Per Hulu’s official description for the movie, which will launch Nov. 1 on the Disney-owned streamer, “A Miami pool boy finds himself trapped in a seven-year...
- 8/26/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The Hulu original unscripted series “Captive Audience” has lived up to its name, earning record-breaking viewership for the streamer.
Hulu documentary chief Belisa Balaban told Variety exclusively that the show — which explores the harrowing kidnapping of 7-year-old Steven Stayner and its resulting media frenzy — has set a record for most-viewed nonfiction TV program in its first month of release.
Launched on April 21, “Captive Audience” is also the second-most watched unscripted series in Hulu’s history. Directed by Jessica Dimmock and produced by Wonderburst, High Five Content and Joe and Anthony Russo’s Agbo, the program is second only to “The Kardashians” in total viewership for its category.
“This is really a huge credit to that team, whose bold creative choices and empathy brought it to life. This project is a great example of what a Hulu true crime story is — not just the story of a family and what they’ve endured over the years,...
Hulu documentary chief Belisa Balaban told Variety exclusively that the show — which explores the harrowing kidnapping of 7-year-old Steven Stayner and its resulting media frenzy — has set a record for most-viewed nonfiction TV program in its first month of release.
Launched on April 21, “Captive Audience” is also the second-most watched unscripted series in Hulu’s history. Directed by Jessica Dimmock and produced by Wonderburst, High Five Content and Joe and Anthony Russo’s Agbo, the program is second only to “The Kardashians” in total viewership for its category.
“This is really a huge credit to that team, whose bold creative choices and empathy brought it to life. This project is a great example of what a Hulu true crime story is — not just the story of a family and what they’ve endured over the years,...
- 7/6/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Olivia Cooke, the star of “Ready Player One” and the upcoming “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of the Dragon,” will star in a horror feature film called “Breeders” from producer Adam McKay at Lionsgate.
The project is based on an original idea from McKay and Brian Steele, and Lionsgate has locked Kelsey Bollig to direct in what will be her feature directorial debut. Bollig is known as the director of the short films “Asking for a Friend” and “The Fourth Wall” and most recently “Kickstart My Heart,” which made its debut at the Dances With Films festival.
Plot details are being kept under wraps. Steele wrote the screenplay.
Adam McKay and Todd Schulman will produce “Breeders.”
Also Read:
‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel ‘House of the Dragon’ Heats Up With Official Poster
“We’re hugely excited about Kelsey. Her films come straight out of a horror sensibility she’s been honing her entire life,...
The project is based on an original idea from McKay and Brian Steele, and Lionsgate has locked Kelsey Bollig to direct in what will be her feature directorial debut. Bollig is known as the director of the short films “Asking for a Friend” and “The Fourth Wall” and most recently “Kickstart My Heart,” which made its debut at the Dances With Films festival.
Plot details are being kept under wraps. Steele wrote the screenplay.
Adam McKay and Todd Schulman will produce “Breeders.”
Also Read:
‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel ‘House of the Dragon’ Heats Up With Official Poster
“We’re hugely excited about Kelsey. Her films come straight out of a horror sensibility she’s been honing her entire life,...
- 6/22/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Lionsgate has acquired Breeders, an upcoming horror project that has Olivia Cooke (Slow Horses) attached to star, Deadline can confirm.
The studio is keeping the film’s logline under wraps. But veteran horror helmer Kelsey Bollig will direct in her feature debut, with Adam McKay and Todd Schulman producing for Hyperobject Industries. Brian Steele wrote the script, which was based on his and McKay’s original idea. Scott O’Brien bright the project to Lionsgate and will oversee it for the studio with Brady Fujikawa.
Cooke can currently be seen on Apple TV+’s spy series Slow Horses with Gary Oldman and will next be seen on HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon.
Shorts previously directed by Bollig which have garnered awards and critical acclaim on the festival circuit include Asking for a Friend, The Fourth Wall and Kickstart My Heart.
Cooke is represented by CAA,...
The studio is keeping the film’s logline under wraps. But veteran horror helmer Kelsey Bollig will direct in her feature debut, with Adam McKay and Todd Schulman producing for Hyperobject Industries. Brian Steele wrote the script, which was based on his and McKay’s original idea. Scott O’Brien bright the project to Lionsgate and will oversee it for the studio with Brady Fujikawa.
Cooke can currently be seen on Apple TV+’s spy series Slow Horses with Gary Oldman and will next be seen on HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon.
Shorts previously directed by Bollig which have garnered awards and critical acclaim on the festival circuit include Asking for a Friend, The Fourth Wall and Kickstart My Heart.
Cooke is represented by CAA,...
- 6/22/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Olivia Cooke, one of the stars of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, will star in Breeders, a horror project just acquired by Lionsgate that will mark the feature directorial debut of rising fright filmmaker Kelsey Bollig.
Adam McKay, the filmmaker behind Netflix hit Don’t Look Up and an executive producer on HBO’s Winning Time, is one of the originators of the idea and is producing via his Hyperobject Industries banner along with the company’s Todd Schulman.
The logline is being kept locked in the Lionsgate vault, but one source has described the project as a social horror-thriller that is tonally in the vein of Fresh, a dating-gone-wrong thriller starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan that debuted on Hulu in March.
McKay came up with the idea with Brian Steele, who then wrote the screenplay.
Bollig has...
Olivia Cooke, one of the stars of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, will star in Breeders, a horror project just acquired by Lionsgate that will mark the feature directorial debut of rising fright filmmaker Kelsey Bollig.
Adam McKay, the filmmaker behind Netflix hit Don’t Look Up and an executive producer on HBO’s Winning Time, is one of the originators of the idea and is producing via his Hyperobject Industries banner along with the company’s Todd Schulman.
The logline is being kept locked in the Lionsgate vault, but one source has described the project as a social horror-thriller that is tonally in the vein of Fresh, a dating-gone-wrong thriller starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan that debuted on Hulu in March.
McKay came up with the idea with Brian Steele, who then wrote the screenplay.
Bollig has...
- 6/22/2022
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: HBO has handed a second season renewal to the weekly late-night series Game Theory With Bomani Jones. The series, which hails from Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries, wrapped its first season last month.
In Game Theory, Emmy-winning Bomani Jones shares his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives.
“Bomani’s perspective on sports comes from a great base of knowledge, unexpected insights, and a sharp sense of humor. He shows us a different side of the conversation, why it’s important and why we should care,” said Nina Rosenstein, EVP of HBO Programming. “He’s only just scratched the surface, and we’re looking forward to seeing what else he has up his sleeve.”
“Game Theory has been a dream, the most creatively thrilling thing I’ve ever done, with the best team I’ve ever had,” added Jones. “I...
In Game Theory, Emmy-winning Bomani Jones shares his satirical takes on the intersection of sports and culture through topical monologues, sketches and deep dives.
“Bomani’s perspective on sports comes from a great base of knowledge, unexpected insights, and a sharp sense of humor. He shows us a different side of the conversation, why it’s important and why we should care,” said Nina Rosenstein, EVP of HBO Programming. “He’s only just scratched the surface, and we’re looking forward to seeing what else he has up his sleeve.”
“Game Theory has been a dream, the most creatively thrilling thing I’ve ever done, with the best team I’ve ever had,” added Jones. “I...
- 5/3/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer, director and award-winning journalist Julian Rubinstein’s anti-gang war documentary The Holly has tapped Oscar-winning filmmaker and Hyperobject Industries founder Adam McKay (Don’t Look Up) and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Todd Schulman (Borat) as executive producers ahead of its world premiere next month at Telluride’s Mountainfilm.
Executive producing alongside McKay and Schulman are Trygve Myhren, Kayvan Khalatbari, Chad Asarch, and K. Nicole Robinson Asarch, along with co-executive producer David Sirota (Don’t Look Up). The film is produced by filmmaker and theater company founder Donnie l. Betts (Music Is My Life), Sarah Dowland (The Crime of the Century) and Dia Sokol Savage (Finding Kendrick Johnson).
“I was completely blown away after seeing the rough cut of The Holly,” McKay said. “From income inequality, race, gun violence and corruption, this film is the macro of America in the micro.”
Based on Rubinstein’s New York Times Editor’s Choice pick The Holly: Five Bullets,...
Executive producing alongside McKay and Schulman are Trygve Myhren, Kayvan Khalatbari, Chad Asarch, and K. Nicole Robinson Asarch, along with co-executive producer David Sirota (Don’t Look Up). The film is produced by filmmaker and theater company founder Donnie l. Betts (Music Is My Life), Sarah Dowland (The Crime of the Century) and Dia Sokol Savage (Finding Kendrick Johnson).
“I was completely blown away after seeing the rough cut of The Holly,” McKay said. “From income inequality, race, gun violence and corruption, this film is the macro of America in the micro.”
Based on Rubinstein’s New York Times Editor’s Choice pick The Holly: Five Bullets,...
- 4/29/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Adam McKay may be on a roll with his latest movie Don’t Look Up gunning for Oscar glory on Sunday evening, and his TV show Succession topping everyone’s list for the year’s must-watch, but it seems even he can admit to a mistake.
“I f***ed up Vice,” he told the UK’s Sunday Times, referring to his 2018 Oscar-nominated biopic of Dick Cheney, which saw Christian Bale winning a Golden Globe for his transformation into George W Bush’s controversial vice president. McKay told the broadsheet, “I regret not giving more blame to the Democrats, who went along with the war in Iraq.”
He revealed, “I had a heart attack in postproduction. I made mistakes, read the reviews and went, ‘Yes, fair.’”
McKay seemed less philosophical about critics who piled in on Don’t Look Up. He said, “No comedy is for everyone. I was still surprised by the anger from critics.
“I f***ed up Vice,” he told the UK’s Sunday Times, referring to his 2018 Oscar-nominated biopic of Dick Cheney, which saw Christian Bale winning a Golden Globe for his transformation into George W Bush’s controversial vice president. McKay told the broadsheet, “I regret not giving more blame to the Democrats, who went along with the war in Iraq.”
He revealed, “I had a heart attack in postproduction. I made mistakes, read the reviews and went, ‘Yes, fair.’”
McKay seemed less philosophical about critics who piled in on Don’t Look Up. He said, “No comedy is for everyone. I was still surprised by the anger from critics.
- 3/27/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
“Mystery Science Theater 3000” is returning for a 13th season, this time on a new indie streaming platform, Gizmoplex.
Created by Joel Hodgson in 1988, the cult show “MST3K” follows a series of ordinary humans captured by mad scientists who subject them to a series of terrible B-movies. To keep their sanity, the humans create a series of companion robots to riff on the films they watch, which are presented on the show in their entirety. “MST3K” has gone through several iterations, initially airing on Ktma-tv Minneapolis, then on Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi channel, for a total of 10 seasons. It was revived for a two season run on Netflix in 2017. The show has been highly acclaimed since its creation, winning a Peabody in 1993, and has helped turn seberal obscure movies into cult classics, such as “Manos: The Hands of Fate.”
The new revival of “MST3K” will air completely independently, following two successful Kickstarter campaigns,...
Created by Joel Hodgson in 1988, the cult show “MST3K” follows a series of ordinary humans captured by mad scientists who subject them to a series of terrible B-movies. To keep their sanity, the humans create a series of companion robots to riff on the films they watch, which are presented on the show in their entirety. “MST3K” has gone through several iterations, initially airing on Ktma-tv Minneapolis, then on Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi channel, for a total of 10 seasons. It was revived for a two season run on Netflix in 2017. The show has been highly acclaimed since its creation, winning a Peabody in 1993, and has helped turn seberal obscure movies into cult classics, such as “Manos: The Hands of Fate.”
The new revival of “MST3K” will air completely independently, following two successful Kickstarter campaigns,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Sasha Urban and Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO’s latest documentary series The Invisible Pilot tells the story of a charismatic, daredevil husband and father who unexpectedly jumped off a bridge in 1977, despite a seemingly happy home life and a lucrative career as a pilot.
As you can see from the trailer above, the series delves into subjects such as international drug smuggling and a covert war conducted at the highest level of the U.S. government.
The three-part series, which launches on April 4, comes from exec producer Adam McKay and filmmakers Phil Lott and Ari Mark, who direct.
It tells the story of Gary Betzner, whose actions caused his small-town Arkansas community to search for his body in vain while family and friends seek answers. Years later, a mysterious story emerges involving hypnosis, secret identities and a double life of dangerous missions and law-breaking. And that’s just the beginning.
The series features archival material and interview with Gary’s wife,...
As you can see from the trailer above, the series delves into subjects such as international drug smuggling and a covert war conducted at the highest level of the U.S. government.
The three-part series, which launches on April 4, comes from exec producer Adam McKay and filmmakers Phil Lott and Ari Mark, who direct.
It tells the story of Gary Betzner, whose actions caused his small-town Arkansas community to search for his body in vain while family and friends seek answers. Years later, a mysterious story emerges involving hypnosis, secret identities and a double life of dangerous missions and law-breaking. And that’s just the beginning.
The series features archival material and interview with Gary’s wife,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Season 5 of the popular Spanish teen drama “Élite” will debut April 8, Netflix announced Monday.
Set in the private, elite secondary school Las Encinas, “Élite” follows an ensemble cast of students that constantly find themselves involved with various murder and police investigations. When they’re not running into trouble with the law, the mixed group of working class and wealthy teenagers navigate intense relationship dramas and the heavy workload of their demanding institution.
Season 5 of “Élite” follows the students as they recover from the Season 4 finale, which saw Guzmán (Miguel Bernardeau) murder a man named Armando (Andrés Velencoso) and go on the run after his friends help cover it up. Season 4 cast members Itzan Escamilla, Omar Ayuso, Claudia Salas, Georgina Amorós, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi, Manu Ríos, Pol Granch and Diego Martín return for the new season, joined by new cast members Valentina Zenere, André Lamoglia and Adam Nourou.
“Élite” is...
Set in the private, elite secondary school Las Encinas, “Élite” follows an ensemble cast of students that constantly find themselves involved with various murder and police investigations. When they’re not running into trouble with the law, the mixed group of working class and wealthy teenagers navigate intense relationship dramas and the heavy workload of their demanding institution.
Season 5 of “Élite” follows the students as they recover from the Season 4 finale, which saw Guzmán (Miguel Bernardeau) murder a man named Armando (Andrés Velencoso) and go on the run after his friends help cover it up. Season 4 cast members Itzan Escamilla, Omar Ayuso, Claudia Salas, Georgina Amorós, Carla Díaz, Martina Cariddi, Manu Ríos, Pol Granch and Diego Martín return for the new season, joined by new cast members Valentina Zenere, André Lamoglia and Adam Nourou.
“Élite” is...
- 3/14/2022
- by Wilson Chapman and Wyatte Grantham-Philips
- Variety Film + TV
Ballots are in, and the nail-biting portion of Oscar season has begun. Nominations for the 94th Academy Awards will be revealed on Feb. 8.
Another jam-packed phase one offered plenty of twists and turns, along with much speculation and reading of tea leaves. Now, that many of the guilds have weighed in, we’re predicting Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” will lead the way with 10 nominations, while Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” and Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” are expected to pick up an impressive nine nods each. Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast,” the presumed frontrunner for best picture, is expected to score a healthy seven mentions (or eight if Jamie Dornan can make the cut alongside his co-star Ciarán Hinds).
With an increasingly global Academy, it’s important to consider the tastes of international members that aren’t working on studio lots in Hollywood. While you can argue...
Another jam-packed phase one offered plenty of twists and turns, along with much speculation and reading of tea leaves. Now, that many of the guilds have weighed in, we’re predicting Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” will lead the way with 10 nominations, while Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” and Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” are expected to pick up an impressive nine nods each. Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast,” the presumed frontrunner for best picture, is expected to score a healthy seven mentions (or eight if Jamie Dornan can make the cut alongside his co-star Ciarán Hinds).
With an increasingly global Academy, it’s important to consider the tastes of international members that aren’t working on studio lots in Hollywood. While you can argue...
- 2/3/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
A tsunami of buzz and Oscar-telling indicators drop on Thursday, with the major guilds announcing award nominations. The Directors Guild of America (DGA), Writers Guild of America (WGA), Producers Guild of America (PGA) and American Cinema Editors (Ace Eddies) all serve as critical barometers for the Academy Awards, especially in the race for best picture.
DGA has averaged four of their five nominees landing in the Oscars’ best director category, including last year with Aaron Sorkin (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) getting bumped for Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”). The first-time directors’ category, with the exception of Jordan Peele for “Get Out” (2017), has gone on to get a nod at the Academy.
The PGA always provides some big blockbusters and Academy flare, which bodes well for either “No Time to Die” or “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The WGA has a lot of ineligibilities that won’t provide a strong enough indicator for the screenplay categories.
DGA has averaged four of their five nominees landing in the Oscars’ best director category, including last year with Aaron Sorkin (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) getting bumped for Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”). The first-time directors’ category, with the exception of Jordan Peele for “Get Out” (2017), has gone on to get a nod at the Academy.
The PGA always provides some big blockbusters and Academy flare, which bodes well for either “No Time to Die” or “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The WGA has a lot of ineligibilities that won’t provide a strong enough indicator for the screenplay categories.
- 1/26/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“Welcome to ‘Painting with John’ Season Two, the show where I do not teach you how to paint,” John Lurie deadpans in the trailer for his hit HBO series, returning February 18. Watch the full trailer for Season 2, exclusive to IndieWire, below.
Lurie — who writes, directs, and stars in “Painting with John” from somewhere in the Caribbean — may seem to be joking, but the multi-hyphenate talent is being serious. Dead serious.
“When season one of the show came out, I got so many people saying, ‘Oh you live in paradise. You’re so lucky.’ And I’m thinking, ‘It is paradise,'” Lurie says in a close-up. “But we didn’t show you the bad stuff.”
The horrors of Lurie’s day-to-day life? Well, let’s start with his eerie washing machine, before discussing the downside of spring. “During the rainy season, there’s these little gnat things,” Lurie explains. “They...
Lurie — who writes, directs, and stars in “Painting with John” from somewhere in the Caribbean — may seem to be joking, but the multi-hyphenate talent is being serious. Dead serious.
“When season one of the show came out, I got so many people saying, ‘Oh you live in paradise. You’re so lucky.’ And I’m thinking, ‘It is paradise,'” Lurie says in a close-up. “But we didn’t show you the bad stuff.”
The horrors of Lurie’s day-to-day life? Well, let’s start with his eerie washing machine, before discussing the downside of spring. “During the rainy season, there’s these little gnat things,” Lurie explains. “They...
- 1/26/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
When Trump supporters assaulted the US Capitol building on January 6 following Trump's election loss, it was widely considered to be the most egregious domestic attack on the foundation of our democratic republic since the Civil War. The fresh stain on America's history will be center-stage in the feature film "J6," handled by "The Comey Rule" director Billy Ray. Ray finds a formidable teammate in Adam McKay, who is currently enjoying praise and pushback for his own grim feature "Don't Look Up." McKay produces alongside "Comey Rule" exec producer Shane Salerno, as well as Todd Schulman, Josh McLaughlin,...
The post Don't Look Up Director Adam McKay is Producing J6, a Movie About the January 6th Insurrection appeared first on /Film.
The post Don't Look Up Director Adam McKay is Producing J6, a Movie About the January 6th Insurrection appeared first on /Film.
- 1/20/2022
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
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