As "Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed" (2021 release; 92 min) opens, we see footage of Bob Ross appearing on the Regis & Kathy Lee talk show in the early 90s, at what seems to be the peak of Ross' career. We then are introduced to Steve Ross, Bob's son, as Steve starts talking about his dad. At this point we are less than 10 minutes into the documentary.
Couple of comments: this is directed by Joshua Rofe ("Sasquatch"). Here he reassesses the legacy of Bob Ross, who became a star while hosting "The Joy of Painting" on PBS between 1983 and 1994. We get a primer of Ross' upbringing and how he became a painter. The documentary then turns to the infighting after Bob Ross passes away in 1995 between the Kowalski couple (who cofounded Bob Ross Inc. With Bob) and Steve. The fact that the Kowalskis do not participate at all in this documentary, and of course that Bob Ross died all those years ago, almost sinks the documentary. Om top of that, we are told that many people close to Bob Ross did not want to participate either (apparently for fear of retribution by the Kowalskis). This leaves us with Steve and a couple of Bob's friends who dared to speak out. It felt to me as though we are not getting the full picture here. In that sense, the documentary feels incomplete. Please note that this documentary is co-produced by Melissa McCarthy, yes THE Melissa McCarthy (and apparently a massive fan of Bob Ross).
"Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed" premiered on Netflix in summer of 2021 (at the peak of COVID), and somehow I missed it... until now! If you are a fan of Bob Ross, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is directed by Joshua Rofe ("Sasquatch"). Here he reassesses the legacy of Bob Ross, who became a star while hosting "The Joy of Painting" on PBS between 1983 and 1994. We get a primer of Ross' upbringing and how he became a painter. The documentary then turns to the infighting after Bob Ross passes away in 1995 between the Kowalski couple (who cofounded Bob Ross Inc. With Bob) and Steve. The fact that the Kowalskis do not participate at all in this documentary, and of course that Bob Ross died all those years ago, almost sinks the documentary. Om top of that, we are told that many people close to Bob Ross did not want to participate either (apparently for fear of retribution by the Kowalskis). This leaves us with Steve and a couple of Bob's friends who dared to speak out. It felt to me as though we are not getting the full picture here. In that sense, the documentary feels incomplete. Please note that this documentary is co-produced by Melissa McCarthy, yes THE Melissa McCarthy (and apparently a massive fan of Bob Ross).
"Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed" premiered on Netflix in summer of 2021 (at the peak of COVID), and somehow I missed it... until now! If you are a fan of Bob Ross, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.