Francis Ford Coppola‘s 1974 masterpiece “The Conversation” will be remade as a TV series, with “Margin Call” and “All Is Lost” filmmaker J.C. Chandor attached to both write and direct the series, IndieWire has confirmed.
Chandor will direct via his CounterNarrative Films banner alongside Temple Hill, producer Adam Fishbach, and executive produced by Coppola’s American Zoetrope. Erin Levy, known for her work on “Mad Men” and “Mindhunter,” will be the showrunner on “The Conversation” remake.
MRC is the studio behind the series, and the company optioned the TV remake rights directly from the Coppola estate.
Despite a rumor that Aubrey Plaza was attached to star, no cast is involved at this stage, as a source close to the project tells IndieWire. Other media reports suggested it would be a limited series and that it was set up at a network, but it is being envisioned as an ongoing series,...
Chandor will direct via his CounterNarrative Films banner alongside Temple Hill, producer Adam Fishbach, and executive produced by Coppola’s American Zoetrope. Erin Levy, known for her work on “Mad Men” and “Mindhunter,” will be the showrunner on “The Conversation” remake.
MRC is the studio behind the series, and the company optioned the TV remake rights directly from the Coppola estate.
Despite a rumor that Aubrey Plaza was attached to star, no cast is involved at this stage, as a source close to the project tells IndieWire. Other media reports suggested it would be a limited series and that it was set up at a network, but it is being envisioned as an ongoing series,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Image Source: Everett Collection
Fans of "Grey's Anatomy" know the show isn't quite the same without Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey, but the long-running medical drama made sure her farewell served as the perfect goodbye. But was it really the end for Meredith?
As previously reported by Variety, viewers saw a lot less of Dr. Grey in season 19 due to the actor's role in a forthcoming Hulu show, "The Orphan," and she officially departed the show in its Feb. 23 episode. Her character returned for the season 19 finale, though - and apparently will be back again.
"It's a little bit of trickery, because I'm not completely gone," Pompeo said during her Variety Actors on Actors sit-down with former castmate Katherine Heigl, published June 6. "Actually, the storyline is very cool. There's a lot of real research that's changing very rapidly about Alzheimer's disease and about what they believe is the cause of Alzheimer's disease.
Fans of "Grey's Anatomy" know the show isn't quite the same without Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey, but the long-running medical drama made sure her farewell served as the perfect goodbye. But was it really the end for Meredith?
As previously reported by Variety, viewers saw a lot less of Dr. Grey in season 19 due to the actor's role in a forthcoming Hulu show, "The Orphan," and she officially departed the show in its Feb. 23 episode. Her character returned for the season 19 finale, though - and apparently will be back again.
"It's a little bit of trickery, because I'm not completely gone," Pompeo said during her Variety Actors on Actors sit-down with former castmate Katherine Heigl, published June 6. "Actually, the storyline is very cool. There's a lot of real research that's changing very rapidly about Alzheimer's disease and about what they believe is the cause of Alzheimer's disease.
- 6/6/2023
- by Chandler Plante
- Popsugar.com
Exclusive: Two-time Academy Award nominee Liz Garbus is set to direct and executive produce the Untitled Orphan Project that’s in the works for Hulu.
The ABC Signature drama will star Ellen Pompeo and is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts who they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is.
The real-life story has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan.
The plan is to produce an eight-episode limited series. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. The project was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Other exec producers are Andrew Stearn, Niles Kirschner,...
The ABC Signature drama will star Ellen Pompeo and is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts who they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is.
The real-life story has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan.
The plan is to produce an eight-episode limited series. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. The project was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Other exec producers are Andrew Stearn, Niles Kirschner,...
- 1/27/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
“Succession” continues to have the write stuff as it picked up its third Best Drama Writing Emmy in as many seasons at Monday’s Primetime Emmy Awards. The three-peat puts the HBO hit into an exclusive club of dramas that have maintained a perfect record in writing for their first three seasons.
Just three other shows have accomplished this feat — or two if you really want to get technical about it. “The Defenders” did it first, winning four writing awards for its first four seasons from 1962-65, but there are a few caveats. In 1964, the category was split into original and adapted, with the courtroom drama triumphing in the former. In 1965, the Emmys attempted an ill-advised experiment with only four categories — program, acting, directing and writing — and “The Defenders” won the category titled Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment — Writers. The Emmys reinstated the traditional format the following year and the...
Just three other shows have accomplished this feat — or two if you really want to get technical about it. “The Defenders” did it first, winning four writing awards for its first four seasons from 1962-65, but there are a few caveats. In 1964, the category was split into original and adapted, with the courtroom drama triumphing in the former. In 1965, the Emmys attempted an ill-advised experiment with only four categories — program, acting, directing and writing — and “The Defenders” won the category titled Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment — Writers. The Emmys reinstated the traditional format the following year and the...
- 9/13/2022
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
UK actor Imogen Reid has been tapped as a co-lead opposite Ellen Pompeo in Hulu’s untitled orphan limited series, executive produced by the Grey’s Anatomy star.
Created and written by Katie Robbins, the Untitled Orphan Project is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national...
Created and written by Katie Robbins, the Untitled Orphan Project is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national...
- 8/10/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Imogen Reid will star opposite Ellen Pompeo in the untitled orphan limited series at Hulu that was announced on Aug. 3.
The series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Reid trained at the Miskin Theatre at North Kent College. Her work has been featured across regional theatres in the UK. Her onscreen credits include “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald,...
The series is inspired by the true story of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism (Reid). But as they begin to raise her alongside their three other children, they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves and protect their own narrative, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Reid trained at the Miskin Theatre at North Kent College. Her work has been featured across regional theatres in the UK. Her onscreen credits include “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald,...
- 8/10/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Ellen Pompeo is taking on her first acting role outside of “Grey’s Anatomy” in nearly two decades. The actress will be starring in an untitled Hulu project inspired by a true story.
The drama, which Pompeo is also executive producing under her Calamity Jane production banner, is about a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism.
“As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage,” per a logline from the streamer.
Also Read:
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 19 About to Get Underway as Caterina Scorsone...
The drama, which Pompeo is also executive producing under her Calamity Jane production banner, is about a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism.
“As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage,” per a logline from the streamer.
Also Read:
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 19 About to Get Underway as Caterina Scorsone...
- 8/3/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
Ellen Pompeo has an exciting new role... and it means she will be scaling back her duties on Grey's Anatomy.
The glue that holds the medical drama together will star in and executive produce an upcoming orphan-themed drama for Hulu.
Hulu says the drama is “inspired by the story of a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism."
"But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is," the logline continues.
"As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.”
Pompeo will work alongside her Calamity Jane production company exec Laura Holstein on the project.
The glue that holds the medical drama together will star in and executive produce an upcoming orphan-themed drama for Hulu.
Hulu says the drama is “inspired by the story of a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism."
"But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is," the logline continues.
"As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.”
Pompeo will work alongside her Calamity Jane production company exec Laura Holstein on the project.
- 8/3/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Ellen Pompeo is set to star in a limited series inspired by real events that has been ordered at Hulu, Variety has learned.
In the untitled show, a Midwestern couple adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Hulu has given the series an eight-episode order. Katie Robbins is writing and executive producing, with Pompeo set to executive produce under her Calamity Jane production banner. Erin Levy will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Laura Holstein of...
In the untitled show, a Midwestern couple adopts what they believe is an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Hulu has given the series an eight-episode order. Katie Robbins is writing and executive producing, with Pompeo set to executive produce under her Calamity Jane production banner. Erin Levy will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Laura Holstein of...
- 8/3/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Grey’s Anatomy vet Ellen Pompeo, who is heading into her 19th season as Meredith Grey on the venerable ABC medical drama, is spreading her acting wings beyond Grey Sloan.
The actress has signed on to star in and exec produce an untitled orphan-themed limited series at Hulu. As a result, Pompeo will be dramatically scaling back her Grey’s Anatomy workload in Season 19 (here’s the full story on her new limited Grey’s status.)
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The actress has signed on to star in and exec produce an untitled orphan-themed limited series at Hulu. As a result, Pompeo will be dramatically scaling back her Grey’s Anatomy workload in Season 19 (here’s the full story on her new limited Grey’s status.)
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- 8/3/2022
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
The stranger-than-fiction story of Ukranian-born Natalia Grace and her U.S. adoptive parents, who claimed that she was an adult “sociopath” pretending to be a child, is the inspiration for an eight-episode Hulu limited series starring and executive produced by Ellen Pompeo.
As she takes on the Untitled Orphan Project, Grey’s Anatomy star Pompeo will be scaling back her on-screen presence on the ABC medical drama next season to eight episodes. She will remain a narrator and executive producer on the show.
Ellen Pompeo Through The Years: Photo Gallery Of 18 Seasons Of Meredith Grey On ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national headlines in September 2019 when Kristine Barnett and her ex-husband Michael Barnett were charged with neglect for allegedly abandoning their adopted daughter Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism, in 2013 when she was 9. The parents have claimed that Natalia, whom they adopted when they thought she was 6, is in fact a mentally disturbed adult woman who threatened their lives. Most of the charges against the Barnetts eventually were dismissed; Natalia has denied the accusations that she is a grownup con artist.
The limited series was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Here is the logline: Inspired by the true story of the Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is a little girl with dwarfism. As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
The project has been in the works at Hulu for a year and a half. Mike Epps and his managers Dan Spilo and Niles Kirchner had originally obtained the rights to Michael Barnett’s story before taking the idea to the Disney-controlled streamer. Hulu optioned the rights to Michael Barnett in January 2021, and Robbins was brought in to write the script. Pompeo came on board earlier this summer.
Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. Epps, Spilo and Niles Kirchner also executive produce alongside Andrew Stearn, who at the time of the Hulu sale had a deal at ABC Signature predecessor ABC Studios.
This marks Pompeo’s first major acting role outside of the Grey’s Anatomy franchise since the 2005 feature Life of the Party. Pompeo acted primarily in movies before she was cast as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy 18 years ago and has been focused on the hit show ever since. In addition to starring, Pompeo serves as an executive producer on ABC’s hugely popular medical drama, which is headed to its 19th season. She is repped by CAA, John Carrabino Management, The Lede Company and Hansen Jacobson.
Robbins is repped by UTA, Aaron Kogan Management and attorney Jonathan Shikora. Levy is repped by WME. Michael Barnett was repped in the deal by attorney Terrance Kinnard.
As she takes on the Untitled Orphan Project, Grey’s Anatomy star Pompeo will be scaling back her on-screen presence on the ABC medical drama next season to eight episodes. She will remain a narrator and executive producer on the show.
Ellen Pompeo Through The Years: Photo Gallery Of 18 Seasons Of Meredith Grey On ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
The shocking case, which has drawn parallels to the 2009 horror movie Orphan, made national headlines in September 2019 when Kristine Barnett and her ex-husband Michael Barnett were charged with neglect for allegedly abandoning their adopted daughter Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism, in 2013 when she was 9. The parents have claimed that Natalia, whom they adopted when they thought she was 6, is in fact a mentally disturbed adult woman who threatened their lives. Most of the charges against the Barnetts eventually were dismissed; Natalia has denied the accusations that she is a grownup con artist.
The limited series was created and written by Katie Robbins (The Affair). Here is the logline: Inspired by the true story of the Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is a little girl with dwarfism. As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is. As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.
Pompeo will play the mother.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
The project has been in the works at Hulu for a year and a half. Mike Epps and his managers Dan Spilo and Niles Kirchner had originally obtained the rights to Michael Barnett’s story before taking the idea to the Disney-controlled streamer. Hulu optioned the rights to Michael Barnett in January 2021, and Robbins was brought in to write the script. Pompeo came on board earlier this summer.
Erin Levy will serve as showrunner on the series and executive produce alongside Robbins. Pompeo will executive produce through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. Epps, Spilo and Niles Kirchner also executive produce alongside Andrew Stearn, who at the time of the Hulu sale had a deal at ABC Signature predecessor ABC Studios.
This marks Pompeo’s first major acting role outside of the Grey’s Anatomy franchise since the 2005 feature Life of the Party. Pompeo acted primarily in movies before she was cast as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy 18 years ago and has been focused on the hit show ever since. In addition to starring, Pompeo serves as an executive producer on ABC’s hugely popular medical drama, which is headed to its 19th season. She is repped by CAA, John Carrabino Management, The Lede Company and Hansen Jacobson.
Robbins is repped by UTA, Aaron Kogan Management and attorney Jonathan Shikora. Levy is repped by WME. Michael Barnett was repped in the deal by attorney Terrance Kinnard.
- 8/3/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Ellen Pompeo is branching out.
The Grey’s Anatomy leading lady has landed her first on-air series via her ABC Signature-based production company, Calamity Jane. The actress will star in and exec produce an untitled orphan project for Hulu.
In related news, Pompeo will scale back her time on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and appear in only eight of the expected 22 episodes in season 19. She will continue to be the show’s primary narrator for the bulk of the episodes but her on-screen commitment will consist of only eight episodes. Sources say there are no plans for this to be the final season of Grey’s, despite rumors over the past few years that the long-running show’s end is near.
Pompeo has been open about her desire to do more than Grey’s, which has produced more than 400 episodes and ranks as TV’s longest-running primetime medical drama.
Ellen Pompeo is branching out.
The Grey’s Anatomy leading lady has landed her first on-air series via her ABC Signature-based production company, Calamity Jane. The actress will star in and exec produce an untitled orphan project for Hulu.
In related news, Pompeo will scale back her time on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and appear in only eight of the expected 22 episodes in season 19. She will continue to be the show’s primary narrator for the bulk of the episodes but her on-screen commitment will consist of only eight episodes. Sources say there are no plans for this to be the final season of Grey’s, despite rumors over the past few years that the long-running show’s end is near.
Pompeo has been open about her desire to do more than Grey’s, which has produced more than 400 episodes and ranks as TV’s longest-running primetime medical drama.
- 8/3/2022
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Like the Emmys’ Best Drama Directing category, there have not been a lot of individual female winners in Best Drama Writing. Only five solo women have ever won before — slightly better than the three female drama directing champs — but just like the directing race this year, there are three chances for another woman to join the drama writing winner’s circle.
Yahlin Chang (“Home” from “The Handmaid’s Tale“), Misha Green (“Sundown” from “Lovecraft Country”) and Rebecca Sonnenshine (“What I Know” from “The Boys”) are all individually nominated this year for their scripts. There are other two female nominees, Janet Mock and Our Lady J, but they share their bid for the “Pose” series finale with co-writers Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuck and Steve Canals. The other nominees are solo dudes: Peter Morgan (“War” from “The Crown”), Jon Favreau (“Chapter 16: The Rescue” from “The Mandalorian”) and Dave Filoni (“Chapter 13: The...
Yahlin Chang (“Home” from “The Handmaid’s Tale“), Misha Green (“Sundown” from “Lovecraft Country”) and Rebecca Sonnenshine (“What I Know” from “The Boys”) are all individually nominated this year for their scripts. There are other two female nominees, Janet Mock and Our Lady J, but they share their bid for the “Pose” series finale with co-writers Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuck and Steve Canals. The other nominees are solo dudes: Peter Morgan (“War” from “The Crown”), Jon Favreau (“Chapter 16: The Rescue” from “The Mandalorian”) and Dave Filoni (“Chapter 13: The...
- 7/29/2021
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Mentorship Matters, an initiative aimed at boosting opportunities for emerging writers of color, has been officially unveiled, along with the participants in its inaugural 2021-22 cycle.
Developed by executive producers/showrunners, including Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Raelle Tucker, Gianna Sobol (Counterpart) and Melinda Hsu Taylor with sponsorship by AMC Networks, Amazon, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the year-long mentorship program provides consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. The first set of pairings will connect 23 leading showrunners with promising mentees to foster growth and build invaluable industry contacts.
The program includes meeting at least monthly in addition to offering guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample, panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals, and opportunities to meet agents, managers, and executives.
Mentees were selected from over 1,200 applicants throughout the U.S., with varying experiences and backgrounds.
Developed by executive producers/showrunners, including Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Raelle Tucker, Gianna Sobol (Counterpart) and Melinda Hsu Taylor with sponsorship by AMC Networks, Amazon, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the year-long mentorship program provides consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. The first set of pairings will connect 23 leading showrunners with promising mentees to foster growth and build invaluable industry contacts.
The program includes meeting at least monthly in addition to offering guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample, panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals, and opportunities to meet agents, managers, and executives.
Mentees were selected from over 1,200 applicants throughout the U.S., with varying experiences and backgrounds.
- 4/29/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Emerald Fennell replaced Phoebe Waller-Bridge as showrunner for the second season of “Killing Eve,” and now she can do what her predecessor was unable to: become just the sixth solo woman to win the Best Drama Writing Emmy.
Fennell, who will cede showrunner duties to Suzanne Heathcote for Season 3, is nominated for penning the second episode of Season 2, “Nice and Neat.” She is the only woman nominated by herself; Kira Snyder shares her nomination with Bruce Miller for “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The other nominees are Peter Gould and Thomas Schnauz (“Better Call Saul”), David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (“Game of Thrones”), Jed Mercurio (“Bodyguard”) and Jesse Armstrong (“Succession”).
First given out at the 7th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1955, Best Drama Writing has long skewed male. It took 19 years before the category crowned its first individual female champ, Joanna Lee, for “The Waltons” in 1974. Five years later, Michele Gallery (“Lou Grant”) prevailed,...
Fennell, who will cede showrunner duties to Suzanne Heathcote for Season 3, is nominated for penning the second episode of Season 2, “Nice and Neat.” She is the only woman nominated by herself; Kira Snyder shares her nomination with Bruce Miller for “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The other nominees are Peter Gould and Thomas Schnauz (“Better Call Saul”), David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (“Game of Thrones”), Jed Mercurio (“Bodyguard”) and Jesse Armstrong (“Succession”).
First given out at the 7th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1955, Best Drama Writing has long skewed male. It took 19 years before the category crowned its first individual female champ, Joanna Lee, for “The Waltons” in 1974. Five years later, Michele Gallery (“Lou Grant”) prevailed,...
- 8/8/2019
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Phoebe Waller-Bridges (“Killing Eve”) is the only female nominee in the Best Drama Writing Emmy field of six. And “six” will also be associated with her should she win because only five other solo women have won the category before.
Since Best Drama Writing was added at the 7th Primetime Emmys in 1955, undergoing various name changes, the category has almost exclusively been a boys’ club. It took 19 years before Joanna Lee became the first individual woman to win, prevailing for “The Waltons.” In 1979, Michele Gallery (“Lou Grant”) joined her, followed by Patricia Green (“Cagney & Lacey”) and Ann Biderman (“NYPD Blue”) in 1994. Twenty long years later, Moira Walley-Beckett ended the drought with a statuette for penning “Ozymandias,” the best episode of “Breaking Bad.”
There were female winners in between Biderman’s and Walley-Beckett’s triumphs, but they all co-wrote their winning scripts with men. Robin Green (“The Sopranos”) shared her 2001 win with Mitchell Burgess,...
Since Best Drama Writing was added at the 7th Primetime Emmys in 1955, undergoing various name changes, the category has almost exclusively been a boys’ club. It took 19 years before Joanna Lee became the first individual woman to win, prevailing for “The Waltons.” In 1979, Michele Gallery (“Lou Grant”) joined her, followed by Patricia Green (“Cagney & Lacey”) and Ann Biderman (“NYPD Blue”) in 1994. Twenty long years later, Moira Walley-Beckett ended the drought with a statuette for penning “Ozymandias,” the best episode of “Breaking Bad.”
There were female winners in between Biderman’s and Walley-Beckett’s triumphs, but they all co-wrote their winning scripts with men. Robin Green (“The Sopranos”) shared her 2001 win with Mitchell Burgess,...
- 8/15/2018
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
The Writers Guild of America has just announced the nominations for their annual awards for Best Screenplays (by writers who are guild signatories). That’s right, before you get nervous thinking that your favorite may have been left off the list, you must remember that the WGA is the group that is not all-inclusive and leaves out several of the top contenders each year due to them not being part of the guild or not following their very specific rules. For this reason, you won’t see Inside Out, The Hateful Eight, and Ex Machina in the Original Screenplay category or Room, Brooklyn, or Anomalisa in the Adapted screenplay category.
Taking a look at what’s left over for the nominations, we find many that were expected to make a showing, including Spotlight and Bridge of Spies for Original Screenplay, though they apparently had to sink to really low depths...
Taking a look at what’s left over for the nominations, we find many that were expected to make a showing, including Spotlight and Bridge of Spies for Original Screenplay, though they apparently had to sink to really low depths...
- 1/6/2016
- by Jeff Beck
- We Got This Covered
The Big Short
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today the motion picture, long-form television, digital series, sports programs and additional television nominations for the 27th Annual Producers Guild Awards.
The categories include: The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures; The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures; The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television; Outstanding Sports Program; and Outstanding Digital Series. The feature documentary film category and other television category nominations were previously announced by the PGA in late 2015.
All 2016 Producers Guild Award winners will be announced on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. This year, the Producers Guild will present special honors to Jim Gianopulos (Milestone Award), Shonda Rhimes (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television), David Heyman (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures), The Hunting Ground (Stanley Kramer...
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today the motion picture, long-form television, digital series, sports programs and additional television nominations for the 27th Annual Producers Guild Awards.
The categories include: The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures; The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures; The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television; Outstanding Sports Program; and Outstanding Digital Series. The feature documentary film category and other television category nominations were previously announced by the PGA in late 2015.
All 2016 Producers Guild Award winners will be announced on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. This year, the Producers Guild will present special honors to Jim Gianopulos (Milestone Award), Shonda Rhimes (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television), David Heyman (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures), The Hunting Ground (Stanley Kramer...
- 1/5/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Producers Guild of America has announced the nominations for its 27th annual Producers Guild Awards! 10 films are vying for the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures. And sorry "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "Carol," you did not make the cut :sad
The PGA Awards winners will be announced on January 23. Here's the complete list of nominees of the 27th annual Producers Guild Awards:
Theatrical Motion Picture nominees
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
The Big Short
Producers: Brad Pitt & Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
Bridge of Spies
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger
Brooklyn
Producers: Finola Dwyer & Amanda Posey
Ex Machina
This film is in the process of being vetted for producer eligibility
Mad Max: Fury Road
Producers: Doug Mitchell & George Miller
The Martian
Producers: Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam
The Revenant
Producers: Arnon Milchan,...
The PGA Awards winners will be announced on January 23. Here's the complete list of nominees of the 27th annual Producers Guild Awards:
Theatrical Motion Picture nominees
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
The Big Short
Producers: Brad Pitt & Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
Bridge of Spies
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger
Brooklyn
Producers: Finola Dwyer & Amanda Posey
Ex Machina
This film is in the process of being vetted for producer eligibility
Mad Max: Fury Road
Producers: Doug Mitchell & George Miller
The Martian
Producers: Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam
The Revenant
Producers: Arnon Milchan,...
- 1/5/2016
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The Writers Guild of America announced some of its nominees for its 2015 awards on Thursday, including television, new media, and radio, and among the TV nominees are series both new and old, and all beloved.
In the comedy series category, freshman Netflix show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" scored a nomination for best series, as well as an overall best new series nod. "The Last Man on Earth" also landed in that latter category, and was singled out for its pilot episode writing, too.
On the drama side of the equation, lauded "Breaking Bad" spinoff "Better Call Saul" also got best series and best new series nominations, in addition to a an episode writing nod. Newly-minted Emmy winner "Game of Thrones" also scored a best drama citation, as well as an episodic writing nomination.
The full list of nominees released this week are below. Nominations in the theatrical and documentary categories will...
In the comedy series category, freshman Netflix show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" scored a nomination for best series, as well as an overall best new series nod. "The Last Man on Earth" also landed in that latter category, and was singled out for its pilot episode writing, too.
On the drama side of the equation, lauded "Breaking Bad" spinoff "Better Call Saul" also got best series and best new series nominations, in addition to a an episode writing nod. Newly-minted Emmy winner "Game of Thrones" also scored a best drama citation, as well as an episodic writing nomination.
The full list of nominees released this week are below. Nominations in the theatrical and documentary categories will...
- 12/3/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
The miniseries saga of Don, Betty, Roger, Joan, Peggy and Bert deserved a terrific finish, and at the end of seven plus one seasons, creator Matthew Weiner delivers in fine style. The agency undergoes a major transformation, but each of our favorites moves on to a thoughtful, better-than-acceptable resolution -- all except for Don. He is given one of the more interesting character finales in TV history, even better than Robert Morse's topper at the end of Season Seven Part 1. Mad Men: The Final Season Part 2 Blu-ray Lionsgate 2015 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 352 min. / Street Date October 13, 2015 / 39.98 Starring Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, John Slattery, Christina Hendricks, Kiernan Shipka, Jessica Paré, Jay R. Ferguson, Julia Ormond, Aaron Staton, Rich Sommer, Kevin Rahm, Christopher Stanley, Maggie Siff, Diana Bauer, Alison Brie, Caity Lotz.. Written by Matthew Weiner, Tom Smuts, Jonathan Igla, Erin Levy, Semi Chellas, Carly Wray. Creator...
- 10/20/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
It truly was the end of an era when "Mad Men" signed off for good on May 17, and while the series finale divided some fans (did Don really achieve enlightenment? Was the Coke jingle meant to be sincere or cynical?), one thing everyone can agree on is that they wished some more fan favorite characters and storylines made the final cut. Now, creator Matthew Weiner has revealed that he, too, had a wishlist of people and things he wanted to feature in the final episodes -- and some of the items that were omitted from the series are heartbreaking.
At an event for the Writers Guild Foundation in Los Angeles Thursday night, Weiner appeared alongside "Mad Men" writers Janet Leahy, Erin Levy, Tom Smuts, Lisa Albert, Robert Towne, Jonathan Igla, Carly Wray, and Josh Weltman, and discussed said list, which Entertainment Weekly writer Anthony Breznican photographed and shared on Twitter...
At an event for the Writers Guild Foundation in Los Angeles Thursday night, Weiner appeared alongside "Mad Men" writers Janet Leahy, Erin Levy, Tom Smuts, Lisa Albert, Robert Towne, Jonathan Igla, Carly Wray, and Josh Weltman, and discussed said list, which Entertainment Weekly writer Anthony Breznican photographed and shared on Twitter...
- 5/29/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
For many of Mad Men’s writers, directors, producers, and designers, the most satisfying moments of the “Person to Person” season finale had nothing to do with the fates of Don, Peggy, Joan or Roger. The staff had their own close-ups to watch for. As a salute to his iconic show’s behind-the-scenes talent, Matthew Weiner secretly sprinkled cameos of many of them throughout the finale, and other episodes this season. Here’s Vulture’s exclusive look at some of the staffers hiding in plain sight. Peggy and Stan weren’t the only creatives attending the McCann accounts meeting. That’s co-executive producer and writer Semi Chellas (who co-wrote “Lost Horizon” with Matt Weiner) to the left of Stan (above), and first assistant director Adam Ben Frank to the left of Chellas (below). Supervising producer and writer Erin Levy (right) hugs it out with another retreat attendee. Levy began as...
- 5/20/2015
- by Lisa Liebman
- Vulture
"Time & Life" begins and ends with images of erasure. This seems altogether right. The episode was written by Erin Levy and series creator Matthew Weiner and directed by Jared Harris, whose character, Lane Pryce, died the ghastliest of the series’ many deaths and has figuratively haunted the firm ever since. The entire hour takes us one step closer to the abyss of which Mad Men and its characters have always been conscious, whether they say so or not.The episode starts with a wide shot of Ken Cosgrove seemingly sitting by himself, frame right, as a waiter, center frame, pours a glass of wine; then the waiter moves to reveal Pete Campbell. Until the waiter stepped aside, we didn’t know Pete was there, and in a sense his presence is irrelevant — not just to the scene, but to Ken’s arc in the episode. Ken, a former employee of Sterling Cooper,...
- 4/27/2015
- by Matt Zoller Seitz
- Vulture
As the scribes try to wrap up the lives of characters with a pretty bow, these recent installments have been more character-driven than plot-driven. (To be fair, Mad Men has rarely been a program with a quick pace.) However, in “Time & Life,” written by Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner, there is a deadline to meet. (The episode comes from director Jared Harris, whose performance as Lane Pryce for three seasons had the same refreshing energy, tinged with sharp despair, that the episode possesses.)
The episode begins as a sequel of sorts to “Shut the Door. Have a Seat,” the masterful finale of season three. Back then, McCann Erickson was going to dissolve Sterling Cooper, and so Don led a madcap dash to thwart that effort by creating a new agency. Now, McCann cancels the lease on the Time-Life Building, ushering in a period for the ad men and women to...
The episode begins as a sequel of sorts to “Shut the Door. Have a Seat,” the masterful finale of season three. Back then, McCann Erickson was going to dissolve Sterling Cooper, and so Don led a madcap dash to thwart that effort by creating a new agency. Now, McCann cancels the lease on the Time-Life Building, ushering in a period for the ad men and women to...
- 4/27/2015
- by Jordan Adler
- We Got This Covered
Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" won the Original Screenplay honor at the recently concluded Writers Guild Awards while Morten Tyldum's "The Imitation Game" took home the Adapted Screenplay trophy. "The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swarts" written by Brian Knappenberger won Documentary Screenplay award. The film is not nominated for an Academy award.
In TV land, HBO's "True Detective" won the Drama Series award and FX's "Louie" received the Comedy Series trophy.
Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2015 Writers Guild Awards:
Feature Film
Original Screenplay
Boyhood, Written by Richard Linklater; IFC Films
Foxcatcher, Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman; Sony Pictures Classics
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness; Fox Searchlight Winner
Nightcrawler, Written by Dan Gilroy; Open Road Films
Whiplash, Written by Damien Chazelle; Sony Pictures Classics
Adapted Screenplay
American Sniper,...
In TV land, HBO's "True Detective" won the Drama Series award and FX's "Louie" received the Comedy Series trophy.
Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2015 Writers Guild Awards:
Feature Film
Original Screenplay
Boyhood, Written by Richard Linklater; IFC Films
Foxcatcher, Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman; Sony Pictures Classics
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness; Fox Searchlight Winner
Nightcrawler, Written by Dan Gilroy; Open Road Films
Whiplash, Written by Damien Chazelle; Sony Pictures Classics
Adapted Screenplay
American Sniper,...
- 2/16/2015
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The Writers Guild of America announced the TV nominees for the 2015 WGA Awards on Thursday (December 4) morning and several new shows broke into the fields in a big way. And, of course, there were a number of big WGA Award nomination head-scratchers. Specifically, where the heck was FX's "Fargo"? The answer is below. Making perhaps the biggest splash was "Transparent," which earned three nominations and, since "Orange Is The New Black" earned two nods and "House of Cards" pick up one, that meant that Amazon Prime and Netflix are, at least for one award-giving organization, on equal footing as creators of original programming. The Jill Soloway-created "Transparent" is nominated for New Series, where it will go against "The Affair," "The Knick," "Silicon Valley" and "True Detective." "Transparent" and "Silicon Valley" are also up for Comedy Series, going against "Louie," "Veep" and "Orange Is The New Black." Lest you panic...
- 12/5/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
Mad Men, Season 7: Episode 4 – “The Monolith”
Written by Erin Levy
Directed by Scott Hornbacher
Airs Sunday nights at 10 on AMC
“The Monolith” is one of many Mad Men episodes that shows how certain characters react to change. Rather than limit those ideas to the new Ibm computer being installed at the offices, the episode focuses more on how Don Draper and Roger Sterling deal with changes in status quo. They’d be very content to live their lives as they always have, but both characters have made certain decisions in their respective pasts that have come back to bite them in their asses. It’s strange and wonderful to see a Mad Men episode do this in such a classic way in its seventh season, since the Don-Roger parallel episodes were mostly the things of the show’s early days. And while it’s great to get that here,...
Written by Erin Levy
Directed by Scott Hornbacher
Airs Sunday nights at 10 on AMC
“The Monolith” is one of many Mad Men episodes that shows how certain characters react to change. Rather than limit those ideas to the new Ibm computer being installed at the offices, the episode focuses more on how Don Draper and Roger Sterling deal with changes in status quo. They’d be very content to live their lives as they always have, but both characters have made certain decisions in their respective pasts that have come back to bite them in their asses. It’s strange and wonderful to see a Mad Men episode do this in such a classic way in its seventh season, since the Don-Roger parallel episodes were mostly the things of the show’s early days. And while it’s great to get that here,...
- 5/6/2014
- by Sean Colletti
- SoundOnSight
"When will Don fall off the wagon?" (or is it on the wagon?) was the big question on everyone's mind last week, after what -- for Matthew Weiner's "Mad Men" -- was quite the cliffhanger. Well, we got our answer Sunday night when Don, frustrated with his unofficial demotion and creative limitations at work, walked into Roger's office, stole a bottle of booze, and slunk into his office where he got hammered alone. While one would think this scenario would create its own sense of suspense -- after all, if he's caught, he's fired -- writer Erin Levy, director Scott Hornbacher, and the all-knowing Weiner provided no indication that Don would or even could be caught and punished, eliminating suspense in favor of their favorite method of communication: metaphor. Unlike successful past efforts to convey more with inaction than action (see most of season six), "The Monolith" came across...
- 5/5/2014
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Mad Men is never as obsessed with pop-culture shout-outs as its detractors think, and I can't imagine that Erin Levy wrote "Monolith" just to keep Stanley Kubrick fans up all night looking for homages. Like all the historical references and literary and mythological symbols, the references to then-contemporary film, TV, literature, and music tend to be a sideshow to the main action, which is pretty straightforward: psychologically well-rounded characters moving through life. Still, though: Kubrick was everywhere. As the episode's title suggests, 2001 was the touchstone, even though the timeline is off (the film was released to theaters in in January 1968, over a year before the events of "Monolith"). The episode kicks into high gear in its second scene, with Don arriving at the office, stepping past a black monolith, and finding Scp's first floor as deserted as the white room where the film's sole surviving astronaut Dave Bowman goes to die.
- 5/5/2014
- by Matt Zoller Seitz
- Vulture
When this week’s episode of Mad Men ended and the “sneak preview” for next week’s hour began, the ominous voice declared that there were only three episodes left this year. How unfair. It seems like we are just settling into the Sc&P offices, barely a drink into the intoxicating madness that a season of Mad Men can bring. “The Monolith” is an episode that is busier with showing how the 1960s have progressed, on both the cultural and counter-cultural zeitgeist, than how the characters have progressed.
Emmy-winning writer Erin Levy, with the help of some creative choices from director Scott Hornbacher, uses the hour to explore Don and Roger, two pals that have not yet managed to share a lot of time onscreen this season. (That “off-campus” drink that Roger refers to at the start never materializes, or at least is not shown.) Don is anxious about the future,...
Emmy-winning writer Erin Levy, with the help of some creative choices from director Scott Hornbacher, uses the hour to explore Don and Roger, two pals that have not yet managed to share a lot of time onscreen this season. (That “off-campus” drink that Roger refers to at the start never materializes, or at least is not shown.) Don is anxious about the future,...
- 5/5/2014
- by Jordan Adler
- We Got This Covered
Writers for Breaking Bad and House of Cards were among those singled out for the 2014 Writers Guild Awards, which will be held on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles and New York.
The nominees are:
Drama Series:
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC
The Good Wife, Written by Meredith Averill, Leonard Dick, Keith Eisner, Jacqueline Hoyt, Ted Humphrey, Michelle King, Robert King, Erica Shelton Kodish, Matthew Montoya, J.C. Nolan, Luke Schelhaas, Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Craig Turk, Julie Wolfe; CBS
Homeland, Written by Henry Bromell, William E. Bromell, Alexander Cary,...
The nominees are:
Drama Series:
Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC
The Good Wife, Written by Meredith Averill, Leonard Dick, Keith Eisner, Jacqueline Hoyt, Ted Humphrey, Michelle King, Robert King, Erica Shelton Kodish, Matthew Montoya, J.C. Nolan, Luke Schelhaas, Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Craig Turk, Julie Wolfe; CBS
Homeland, Written by Henry Bromell, William E. Bromell, Alexander Cary,...
- 12/5/2013
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Los Angeles and New York – The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, new media, news, radio, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2013 season. The winners will be honored at the 2014 Writers Guild Awards on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. Television Nominees Drama Series Breaking Bad, Written by Sam Catlin, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, George Mastras, Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC The Good Wife, Written by Meredith Averill, Leonard Dick, Keith Eisner, Jacqueline Hoyt, Ted Humphrey, Michelle King, Robert King, Erica Shelton Kodish, Matthew Montoya, J.C. Nolan, Luke Schelhaas, Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Craig Turk, Julie Wolfe; CBS Homeland, Written by Henry Bromell, William E. Bromell, Alexander Cary, Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, Barbara Hall, Patrick Harbinson, Chip Johannessen, Meredith Stiehm, Charlotte Stoudt, James Yoshimura; Showtime House Of Cards,...
- 12/5/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Now that Mad Men‘s Don is done, Megan is alive and Bob is… yeah, we’re still not entirely sure what Bob is, we figured it was time to hear what creator Matthew Weiner has to say about the AMC drama’s sixth season.
“I always say, it’s not a history lesson. How much does history really impact us every day? It has to take a really big event,” he tells TVLine. “Well, 1968 itself was a really big event.”
Read on for more of Weiner’s take on the just-wrapped season, including Sally’s moment of truth, the...
“I always say, it’s not a history lesson. How much does history really impact us every day? It has to take a really big event,” he tells TVLine. “Well, 1968 itself was a really big event.”
Read on for more of Weiner’s take on the just-wrapped season, including Sally’s moment of truth, the...
- 6/24/2013
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
Mad Men, Season 6, Episode 9: “The Better Half”
Written by Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner
Directed by Phil Abraham
Airs Sundays at 10pm Et on AMC
Peggy Olson is undoubtedly a feminist—arguably the most feminist character on the show, but she isn’t emblematic of the politicized second-wave feminism we associate with the term. She’s not out demonstrating or burning bras. She works hard and demands the respect of those around her on the strength of that work. Watching her evolve over the course of six seasons has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Mad Men. She’s also the clearest indication that Matt Weiner doesn’t adhere to the “people don’t change” philosophy that pervaded The Sopranos, despite the fact that Don Draper echoes Tony Soprano in that regard.
Her conversation in the back of the ambulance with a bleeding Abe seems to imply...
Written by Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner
Directed by Phil Abraham
Airs Sundays at 10pm Et on AMC
Peggy Olson is undoubtedly a feminist—arguably the most feminist character on the show, but she isn’t emblematic of the politicized second-wave feminism we associate with the term. She’s not out demonstrating or burning bras. She works hard and demands the respect of those around her on the strength of that work. Watching her evolve over the course of six seasons has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Mad Men. She’s also the clearest indication that Matt Weiner doesn’t adhere to the “people don’t change” philosophy that pervaded The Sopranos, despite the fact that Don Draper echoes Tony Soprano in that regard.
Her conversation in the back of the ambulance with a bleeding Abe seems to imply...
- 5/28/2013
- by Justin Wier
- SoundOnSight
In the wise words of the J. Geils Band, “love stinks.” Love is different to different people. Some hold onto another person out of a matter of convenience. Some for lust. Some for nostalgia. Some probably don’t even know what “love” is really supposed to be – well, that’s probably most of us. And those at Scdp/Cgc are no better off. This week’s exceptional Mad Men, ’The Better Half,” written by Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner and directed by Phil Abraham, examines the relationships of some of the characters, past and present. Between Don, Betty, Peggy, Ted, Roger, and Joan, feelings for old flames are stirred up and idealized or new options come into the mix, but are any of these feelings well-founded? Probably not. “The Better Half” provides a great balance of characters’ stories, some excellent writing (as usual), and such a striking examination of the interpersonal relationships on the show. This...
- 5/27/2013
- by Caitlin Hughes
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
The article below contains spoilers for "The Better Half," the May 26th, 2013 episode of "Mad Men." That was one hell of a breakup. "The Better Half" was an episode with all sorts of enjoyably sharp edges to it, one notable for an utterly unexpected dalliance between Don (Jon Hamm) and Betty (January Jones), a venture from Roger (John Slattery) toward his own ex and the woman who bore his child Joan (Christina Hendricks) and a reappearance from Duck Phillips (Mark Moses) in a new gig as a headhunter. But these developments, interesting as they are, pale beside the dramatic end of Abe (Charlie Hofheimer) and Peggy's (Elisabeth Moss) relationship. There's apparently nothing like accidentally stabbing your boyfriend in the gut to get him to tell you what he really thinks, and in an instance of the black humor that "Mad Men" can do very well -- the episode was written...
- 5/27/2013
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
Sneak Peek new images and footage from the next "Mad Men" episode on AMC, titled "The Better Half", written by Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner, directed by Phil Abraham, airing May 26, 2013.
"Mad Men" focuses on 'Dick Whitman', a small town, bastard son of a prostitute, who assumes the identity of dead combat soldier 'Don Draper', to manipulate, screw and hustle his way into becoming the top creative in a New York-based advertising agency:
"'Roger' is tormented by a recurring dream.
"Joan' goes to the beach..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Mad Men: The Better Half"...
"Mad Men" focuses on 'Dick Whitman', a small town, bastard son of a prostitute, who assumes the identity of dead combat soldier 'Don Draper', to manipulate, screw and hustle his way into becoming the top creative in a New York-based advertising agency:
"'Roger' is tormented by a recurring dream.
"Joan' goes to the beach..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Mad Men: The Better Half"...
- 5/26/2013
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Sneak Peek the next "Mad Men" episode on AMC, titled "The Better Half", written by Erin Levy, Matthew Weiner and directed by Phil Abraham, airing May 26, 2013.
"Mad Men" focuses on 'Dick Whitman', a small town, bastard son of a prostitute, who assumes the identity of dead combat soldier 'Don Draper', to manipulate, screw and hustle his way into becoming the top creative in a New York-based advertising agency:
"'Roger' is tormented by a recurring dream and Joan' goes to the beach..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Mad Men: The Better Half"...
"Mad Men" focuses on 'Dick Whitman', a small town, bastard son of a prostitute, who assumes the identity of dead combat soldier 'Don Draper', to manipulate, screw and hustle his way into becoming the top creative in a New York-based advertising agency:
"'Roger' is tormented by a recurring dream and Joan' goes to the beach..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Mad Men: The Better Half"...
- 5/20/2013
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Review Frances Roberts 23 Apr 2013 - 07:00
Mad Men's latest is a multi-threaded story that puts the show's women front-and-centre. Here's Frances' review...
This review contains spoilers.
6.4 To Have and to Hold
Remember when Mad Men was all duck-egg blue and split-pea green? When housewives buried their neuroses inside layers of meatloaf, and men clinked 11am whiskies to congratulate one another on being kings of the universe? How things change. Now, it’s all space-station white, go-go boots, and psychedelic neon. The men are repeating themselves, the women are talking about their careers, and two black characters are having a conversation with each other. We’ve come a long way, baby.
Dawn’s character being fleshed out is a welcome and necessary addition to the show, and particularly prized was her summation of Scdp. Like Megan’s season five, “What is wrong with you people? You’re all so cynical.
Mad Men's latest is a multi-threaded story that puts the show's women front-and-centre. Here's Frances' review...
This review contains spoilers.
6.4 To Have and to Hold
Remember when Mad Men was all duck-egg blue and split-pea green? When housewives buried their neuroses inside layers of meatloaf, and men clinked 11am whiskies to congratulate one another on being kings of the universe? How things change. Now, it’s all space-station white, go-go boots, and psychedelic neon. The men are repeating themselves, the women are talking about their careers, and two black characters are having a conversation with each other. We’ve come a long way, baby.
Dawn’s character being fleshed out is a welcome and necessary addition to the show, and particularly prized was her summation of Scdp. Like Megan’s season five, “What is wrong with you people? You’re all so cynical.
- 4/23/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Mad Men, Season 6, Episode 4: “To Have and To Hold”
Written by Erin Levy
Directed by Michael Uppendahl
Airs Sundays at 10pm Et on AMC
There is a shot in the middle of “To Have and To Hold” that recalls the towering heights of Mad Men’s fifth season, when form seemed to outweigh all other concerns. A slow, swooping take begins with two silhouettes imposed on a hypnogogic background of swirling color as Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot’s “Bonnie and Clyde” provides a fitting accompaniment. The camera comes down to reveal Joan’s friend Kate underneath the man she met at the soda fountain, while Joan sits idly by. A friend of the man approaches and joins Joan on the sofa. Expressing a bemused indifference, she begins to make out with him as the camera continues moving and returns its focus to the psychedelic background.
Joan’s indifference...
Written by Erin Levy
Directed by Michael Uppendahl
Airs Sundays at 10pm Et on AMC
There is a shot in the middle of “To Have and To Hold” that recalls the towering heights of Mad Men’s fifth season, when form seemed to outweigh all other concerns. A slow, swooping take begins with two silhouettes imposed on a hypnogogic background of swirling color as Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot’s “Bonnie and Clyde” provides a fitting accompaniment. The camera comes down to reveal Joan’s friend Kate underneath the man she met at the soda fountain, while Joan sits idly by. A friend of the man approaches and joins Joan on the sofa. Expressing a bemused indifference, she begins to make out with him as the camera continues moving and returns its focus to the psychedelic background.
Joan’s indifference...
- 4/22/2013
- by Justin Wier
- SoundOnSight
This week’s Mad Men is all about not practicing what you preach. Don gets angry with Megan for feigning sex on her soap, when he does a lot more than feign with others in real life. Joan fires Harry’s secretary, Scarlett, when Joan is clearly no angel. And a lot of people are mad about some secret meetings with Heinz Ketchup. This episode, entitled “To Have and to Hold,” probably won’t have much weight in terms of furthering the plot as a whole other than to further complicate the Don/Megan relationship. Though, like last week’s entry, this episode from writer Erin Levy and director Michael Uppendahl has a tight theme, is well-constructed, and is definitely engaging. Joan’s act of hypocrisy here stems from her desperately trying to establish a sense of authority in the male-driven workplace. And you really feel for her, especially since that whole terrible Jaguar situation is still...
- 4/22/2013
- by Caitlin Hughes
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
What do Walter White and Phil Dunphy have in common? They’re both at the center of the TV shows most honored by the Writers Guild of America today. The group just announced the nominees for its annual awards, which will be handed out Feb. 17 at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. Breaking Bad garnered five nods; Modern Family drew four. Here’s a list of all the primetime and late night series in contention for the event’s biggest prizes:
Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire, Written by Dave Flebotte, Diane Frolov, Chris Haddock, Rolin Jones, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki,...
Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire, Written by Dave Flebotte, Diane Frolov, Chris Haddock, Rolin Jones, Howard Korder, Steve Kornacki,...
- 12/6/2012
- by Hillary Busis
- EW - Inside TV
Well if you hadn't really heard of Homeland prior to this weekend, you probably have by now. The Showtime series pulled off a major upset at the 64th Annual Emmy Awards last night, winning a large chunk of the major awards in the Drama category over favourites like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones. Claire Danes and Damian Lewis both took home awards for Lead Actress and Actor in a Drama Series, while the show also broke Mad Men's four-year win streak for Outstanding Drama Series. Elsewhere, Aaron Paul won his second Emmy for his supporting performance as Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad, while Julia Louis-Dreyfus won Best Lead Actress in a Comedy for Veep. Modern Family still took the Outstanding Comedy Series, however, while the HBO movie Game Change took the Outstanding Mini-Series or TV Movie. Kevin Costner did manage to pick up some...
- 9/24/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards this morning. The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air live on Sunday, September 23rd at 7pm Et on ABC. Outstanding Comedy Series * The Big Bang Theory * Curb Your Enthusiasm * Girls * Modern Family * 30 Rock * Veep Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series * Girls * Mike and Molly * New Girl * Nurse Jackie * Parks And Recreation * 30 Rock * Veep Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series * Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory * Larry David- Curb Your Enthusiasm * Don Cheadle - House Of Lies * Louis C.K. - Louie * Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock * Jon Cryer - Two And A Half Men Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series * Mayim Bialik- The Big Bang Theory * Kathryn Joosten - Desperate Housewives * Julie Bowen - Modern Family * Sofia Vergara - Modern Family * Merritt Wever - Nurse Jackie * Kristen Wiig...
- 7/20/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
FX’s new drama American Horror Story and AMC’s perennial fave Mad Men were among the shows to receive the most Emmy nominations that were announced today in Los Angeles. PBS’ Downton Abbey and the History miniseries Hatfields & McCoys also received multiple nods, as did ABC’s Modern Family, AMC’s Breaking Bad, NBC’s Saturday Night Live and the HBO movie Game Change. And it’s a big day for breakout comedienne Lena Dunham, who scored acting and writing nods for her freshman series Girls, which also scored a nomination in the best comedy category.
Here are the...
Here are the...
- 7/19/2012
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Even the Devil drinks a Sno Ball and even Mad Men can get hit in the face. "Dark Shadows" just wasn't on its usual high level of awesomeness. It's titled after the 1966-1971 vampire daytime drama (weirdly coinciding with Tim Burton's movie remake released this weekend) that Megan's redhead friend Julia is auditioning for. Megan laughs at the script and mocks she hasn't seen a soap opera this bad and "isn't it supposed to be scary?" -- and that's how I feel about this episode. It was all soaped up with bloodthirsty rivalry, jealousy and fake crying -- and isn't it supposed to be scary? But we didn't really care. It was nothing new. How many times have we seen Pete get all puffed up and deflated, Don belittle his coworkers, Betty pick a petty fight, Joan pick up the pieces, Roger seduce an ex, pay people off and crack Jew jokes?...
- 5/16/2012
- by Samantha Zalaznick
- Aol TV.
They can't all be gems. Written by Erin Levy and directed by Scott Hornbacher, "Dark Shadows" felt like the first substandard episode of Mad Men, season five — and not just because it was quieter than other chapters, in terms of both audio quality (not much pop music or underscoring) and overall tone (thwarted, disappointed, needy). There were no opulent crowd scenes like the one that ended "At the Codfish Ball," no visionary montages scored to Beatles songs à la "Lady Lazarus,” no viral-video-ready scenes of violence or sex (though Pete Campbell's film-noir-ish fantasy about Beth, his commuter train buddy's wife, edged in that direction). And that's all fine and dandy: The quietness, at times the silence, was often deftly observed. The problem for me (your mileage will vary) is that dialogue, key moments, and certain performances just didn't play. As always, there were superbly acted, often devastating scenes, plus a...
- 5/14/2012
- by Matt Zoller Seitz
- Vulture
Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 9: “Dark Shadows”
Written by Erin Levy
Directed by Scott Hornbacher
Airs Sundays at 9pm (Et) on AMC
Mad Men has never been a show where plot twists and explosive action sequences reign supreme. Anyone who’s watched more than a season, knows that its main concern is character. Although the period setting is often intrinsically linked with the characters on screen, like so many other dramas in the current Golden Age of television, everything merely acts as a vehicle that informs these characters and their plights. What the show does so incredibly well, is that it blends the more evocative aspects of this time period and pairs it with inclusive, identifiable character hurdles. These hurdles can be experienced by any Don, Dick or Peggy. Where Mad Men’s current acclaim and undoubted enduring nature will lie, is in the show’s innate ability to comment...
Written by Erin Levy
Directed by Scott Hornbacher
Airs Sundays at 9pm (Et) on AMC
Mad Men has never been a show where plot twists and explosive action sequences reign supreme. Anyone who’s watched more than a season, knows that its main concern is character. Although the period setting is often intrinsically linked with the characters on screen, like so many other dramas in the current Golden Age of television, everything merely acts as a vehicle that informs these characters and their plights. What the show does so incredibly well, is that it blends the more evocative aspects of this time period and pairs it with inclusive, identifiable character hurdles. These hurdles can be experienced by any Don, Dick or Peggy. Where Mad Men’s current acclaim and undoubted enduring nature will lie, is in the show’s innate ability to comment...
- 5/14/2012
- by Adam Farrington-Williams
- SoundOnSight
Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 3: “Tea Leaves”
Written by Erin Levy & Matthew Weiner
Directed by Jon Hamm
Airs Sundays at 9pm (Et) on AMC
Insecurity is an affliction suffered by even the most intelligent and successful people. It’s hard-wired into the human condition. Often stemming from self-doubt, it offers both a believable and sympathetic literary device, as it is universally experienced. The third episode of season five examines this theme in great abundance. In Jon Hamm’s directorial debut, January Jones returns to the small screen, as the now not so glamorous Betty Francis. Her experiences provide the framework for this week’s episode. During which, the show also tackles its typical themes of race and age relations.
Having put on weight, which is later revealed to be as a result of a benign thyroid tumor, Betty is left with feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. Hampered by her own insecurities,...
Written by Erin Levy & Matthew Weiner
Directed by Jon Hamm
Airs Sundays at 9pm (Et) on AMC
Insecurity is an affliction suffered by even the most intelligent and successful people. It’s hard-wired into the human condition. Often stemming from self-doubt, it offers both a believable and sympathetic literary device, as it is universally experienced. The third episode of season five examines this theme in great abundance. In Jon Hamm’s directorial debut, January Jones returns to the small screen, as the now not so glamorous Betty Francis. Her experiences provide the framework for this week’s episode. During which, the show also tackles its typical themes of race and age relations.
Having put on weight, which is later revealed to be as a result of a benign thyroid tumor, Betty is left with feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. Hampered by her own insecurities,...
- 4/2/2012
- by Adam Farrington-Williams
- SoundOnSight
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