Queens is in the building! Fran Drescher, best known for her role as Fran Fine on “The Nanny” and for her current role as president of SAG-AFTRA, is teaming up with another Queens booster, Josh Safdie. Drescher has signed on to play Timothée Chalamet’s character’s mother in Safdie’s ping-pong drama “Marty Supreme,” Variety reports.
“Marty Supreme,” from A24, follows a table tennis pro in the 1950s. The film is reportedly inspired by the life of influential table tennis champion Marty Reisman, but is fictionalized and not a biopic. Oscar nominee Chalamet stars in the film. He went viral earlier this week when photos of him in a dorky 1950s costume on the film’s New York set hit the internet.
In addition to Chalamet and Drescher, the film’s eccentric cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, rapper Tyler, the Creator in his acting debut, Odessa A’zion, Penn Jillette, “Shark Tank” personality Kevin “Mr.
“Marty Supreme,” from A24, follows a table tennis pro in the 1950s. The film is reportedly inspired by the life of influential table tennis champion Marty Reisman, but is fictionalized and not a biopic. Oscar nominee Chalamet stars in the film. He went viral earlier this week when photos of him in a dorky 1950s costume on the film’s New York set hit the internet.
In addition to Chalamet and Drescher, the film’s eccentric cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, rapper Tyler, the Creator in his acting debut, Odessa A’zion, Penn Jillette, “Shark Tank” personality Kevin “Mr.
- 10/4/2024
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2024 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 13 to June 24, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 17. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 15 and ends the night of August 26. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 15, and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
Click on for more of our previous thoughts on what to expect at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
The State of the Race
For those paying close attention to some of the categories down the line, the nominations for the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series came as quite a surprise. Not only did no Hulu project make it in, despite being the reigning...
Click on for more of our previous thoughts on what to expect at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
The State of the Race
For those paying close attention to some of the categories down the line, the nominations for the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series came as quite a surprise. Not only did no Hulu project make it in, despite being the reigning...
- 8/22/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Variety & Rolling Stone’s Truth Seekers Summit, presented by Paramount+, is dedicated to honoring those who prioritize the discovery of truth. Curated by the editors of Variety and Rolling Stone, the collection of panelists at this year’s annual summit showcased a remarkable lineup of documentary filmmakers, political journalists and overall advocates for justice. The event featured thought-provoking discussions and insights from renowned figures such as acclaimed documentary maker Alex Gibney, comedian and host Amber Ruffin, the tireless crusaders behind the “Unsolved Mysteries” series and many more.
Key moments included a panel of political correspondents and anchors comprised of Abby Phillip, Yamiche Alcindor, Katy Tur, Tony Dokoupil, and Geoff Bennett, who discussed the realities and hypocrisies of covering former President Donald Trump. CBS News President Susan Zirinsky also joined the conference to discuss the documentary “We Will Dance Again.” The event concluded with the presentation of the Truth Seekers Award to journalist E. Jean Carroll.
Key moments included a panel of political correspondents and anchors comprised of Abby Phillip, Yamiche Alcindor, Katy Tur, Tony Dokoupil, and Geoff Bennett, who discussed the realities and hypocrisies of covering former President Donald Trump. CBS News President Susan Zirinsky also joined the conference to discuss the documentary “We Will Dance Again.” The event concluded with the presentation of the Truth Seekers Award to journalist E. Jean Carroll.
- 8/16/2024
- by Meredith Woerner, Aramide Tinubu, Diego Luna and Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Nine years after “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” won the Emmy for Best Documentary Series, its previously unplanned second season is up for the same award. Unlike last time when it stood out as the only crime series in its lineup, it is now joined in that regard by both “Telemarketers” and “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.”
Unlike most Primetime Emmys, Best Documentary Series is a non-competitive area award that is bestowed upon any nominee that earns the approval of 90% of the members of the TV academy’s documentary peer group. This means that the five programs in the 2024 lineup are not vying for a single trophy and could all potentially prevail. However, if no nominees hit said 90% threshold, only the highest-rated one will win.
In order to determine which of this year’s nominees has the best shot at being approved for victory,...
Unlike most Primetime Emmys, Best Documentary Series is a non-competitive area award that is bestowed upon any nominee that earns the approval of 90% of the members of the TV academy’s documentary peer group. This means that the five programs in the 2024 lineup are not vying for a single trophy and could all potentially prevail. However, if no nominees hit said 90% threshold, only the highest-rated one will win.
In order to determine which of this year’s nominees has the best shot at being approved for victory,...
- 8/13/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
It’s a Tuesday morning in late July, and at a gigantic warehouse-turned-production facility in L.A.’s Canoga Park, Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson are in one studio riffing on the Summer Olympics. On the other side of the building, comedian Earthquake is recording a podcast. Meanwhile, between that building, another nearby and a third in West Hollywood, teams of staffers are running around, working on one of the two dozen other projects across TV, film, audio, branded entertainment and experiential events that Hart’s entertainment company, Hartbeat, has in the pipeline.
You know Kevin Hart, the comedian and star of films like “Ride Along,” “Central Intelligence” and the just released “Borderlands.” But he’d really like you to think of him as Kevin Hart, production maven. This year alone, he’s produced Netflix’s “The Roast of Tom Brady,” a revival of “Comic View” with BET and released...
You know Kevin Hart, the comedian and star of films like “Ride Along,” “Central Intelligence” and the just released “Borderlands.” But he’d really like you to think of him as Kevin Hart, production maven. This year alone, he’s produced Netflix’s “The Roast of Tom Brady,” a revival of “Comic View” with BET and released...
- 8/7/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Outstanding Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Hacks
The Bear
Abbott Elementary
Only Murders in the Building
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Palm Royale
What We Do in the Shadows
Reservation Dogs
Outstanding Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Shogun
Slow Horses
3 Body Problem
The Crown
Fallout
The Gilded Age
The Morning Show
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Anna Sawai - Shogun
Jennifer Aniston - The Morning Show
Imelda Staunton - The Crown
Maya Erskine - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Carrie Coon – The Gilded Age
Reese Witherspoon - The Morning Show
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Hiroyuki Sanada - Shogun
Gary Oldman - Slow Horses
Dominic West - The Crown
Donald Glover - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Walt Goggins – Fallout
Idris Elba – Hijack
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Baby Reindeer
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country
Lessons in Chemistry
Fargo
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Jodie Foster - True Detective: Night Country
Brie Larson - Lessons in Chemistry
Juno Temple – Fargo
Sofía Vergara - Griselda
Naomi Watts – Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Richard Gadd - Baby Reindeer
Matt Bomer - Fellow Travelers
Andrew Scott - Ripley
Tom Hollander - Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Jon Hamm - Fargo
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Lamorne Morris - Fargo
John Hawkes - True Detective: Night Country
Lewis Pullman - Lessons in Chemistry
Treat Williams – Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Tom Goodman-Hill - Baby Reindeer
Robert Downey Jr. - The Sympathizer
Jonathan Bailey - Fellow Travelers
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Jessica Gunning - Baby Reindeer
Dakota Fanning - Ripley
Kali Reis - True Detective: Night Country
Aja Naomi King - Lessons in Chemistry
Nava Mau – Baby Reindeer
Diane Lane – Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Lily Gladstone – Under the Bridge
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jean Smart - Hacks
Ayo Edebiri - The Bear
Quinta Brunson - Abbott Elementary
Kristen Wiig - Palm Royale
Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
Maya Rudolph – Loot
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Elizabeth Debicki - The Crown
Lesley Manville - The Crown
Greta Lee - The Morning Show
Nicole Beharie – The Morning Show
Christine Baranski – The Gilded Age
Karen Pitman - The Morning Show
Holland Taylor – The Morning Show
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Liza Colon-Zayas - The Bear
Meryl Streep - Only Murders in the Building
Hannah Einbinder - Hacks
Sheryl Lee Ralph - Abbott Elementary
Janelle James - Abbott Elementary
Carol Burnett - Palm Royale
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jeremy Allen White - The Bear
Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm
Steve Martin - Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short - Only Murders in the Building
Matt Berry – What We Do in the Shadows
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – Reservation Dogs
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Billy Crudup - The Morning Show
Tadanobu Asano - Shogun
Jon Hamm - The Morning Show
Jack Lowden - Slow Horses
Jonathan Pryce – The Crown
Mark Duplass – The Morning Show
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Ebon Moss-Bachrach - The Bear
Tyler James Williams - Abbott Elementary
Paul Rudd - Only Murders in the Building
Bowen Yang – Saturday Night Live
Paul W. Downs – Hacks
Lionel Boyce – The Bear
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Richard Gadd - Baby Reindeer
Matt Bomer - Fellow Travelers
Andrew Scott - Ripley
Tom Hollander - Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Jon Hamm - Fargo
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jon Bernthal - The Bear
Ryan Gosling - Saturday Night Live
Matthew Broderick - Only Murders in the Building
Will Poulter – The Bear
Bob Odenkirk – The Bear
Christopher Lloyd - Hacks
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Nestor Carbonell - Shogun
John Turturro - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Paul Dano - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Jonathan Pryce – Slow Horses
Tracy Letts - Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jamie Lee Curtis - The Bear
Olivia Colman - The Bear
Kaitlin Olson - Hacks
Maya Rudolph – Saturday Night Live
Kristen Wiig– Saturday Night Live
Da'Vine Joy Randolph - Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Marcia Gay Harden - The Morning Show
Michaela Coel - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Sarah Paulson - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Parker Posey - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Claire Foy – The Crown
Outstanding Television Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Quiz Lady
Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie
Scoop
Red, White and Royal Blue
Unfrosted
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
And the Emmy Goes to: Girls State
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
The Greatest Night in Pop
Jim Henson: Idea Man
Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Beckham
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst – The Jinx, Part Two
Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV
STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.
Telemarketers
Outstanding Animated Program
And the Emmy Goes to: Blue Eye Samurai – The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride
The Simpsons – Night of the Living Wage
X-Men '97 – Remember It
Scavengers Reign – The Signal
Bob’s Burgers – The Amazing Rudy
Best Directing for a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Frederick E.O. Toye - Shogun
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Christopher Storer – The Bear
Outstanding Writing in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Richard Gadd - Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Will Smith - Slow Horses
Outstanding Talk Series
And the Emmy Goes to: The Daily Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night With Seth Meyers
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Best Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to:Steven Zaillian - Ripley
Writing for a Variety Special
And the Emmy Goes to: Alex Edelman – Just For Us
Outstanding Scripted Variety Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
And the Emmy Goes to: The Traitors
RuPauls Drag Race
The Voice
The Amazing Race
Top Chef...
And the Emmy Goes to: Hacks
The Bear
Abbott Elementary
Only Murders in the Building
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Palm Royale
What We Do in the Shadows
Reservation Dogs
Outstanding Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Shogun
Slow Horses
3 Body Problem
The Crown
Fallout
The Gilded Age
The Morning Show
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Anna Sawai - Shogun
Jennifer Aniston - The Morning Show
Imelda Staunton - The Crown
Maya Erskine - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Carrie Coon – The Gilded Age
Reese Witherspoon - The Morning Show
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Hiroyuki Sanada - Shogun
Gary Oldman - Slow Horses
Dominic West - The Crown
Donald Glover - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Walt Goggins – Fallout
Idris Elba – Hijack
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Baby Reindeer
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country
Lessons in Chemistry
Fargo
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Jodie Foster - True Detective: Night Country
Brie Larson - Lessons in Chemistry
Juno Temple – Fargo
Sofía Vergara - Griselda
Naomi Watts – Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Richard Gadd - Baby Reindeer
Matt Bomer - Fellow Travelers
Andrew Scott - Ripley
Tom Hollander - Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Jon Hamm - Fargo
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Lamorne Morris - Fargo
John Hawkes - True Detective: Night Country
Lewis Pullman - Lessons in Chemistry
Treat Williams – Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Tom Goodman-Hill - Baby Reindeer
Robert Downey Jr. - The Sympathizer
Jonathan Bailey - Fellow Travelers
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Jessica Gunning - Baby Reindeer
Dakota Fanning - Ripley
Kali Reis - True Detective: Night Country
Aja Naomi King - Lessons in Chemistry
Nava Mau – Baby Reindeer
Diane Lane – Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Lily Gladstone – Under the Bridge
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jean Smart - Hacks
Ayo Edebiri - The Bear
Quinta Brunson - Abbott Elementary
Kristen Wiig - Palm Royale
Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
Maya Rudolph – Loot
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Elizabeth Debicki - The Crown
Lesley Manville - The Crown
Greta Lee - The Morning Show
Nicole Beharie – The Morning Show
Christine Baranski – The Gilded Age
Karen Pitman - The Morning Show
Holland Taylor – The Morning Show
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Liza Colon-Zayas - The Bear
Meryl Streep - Only Murders in the Building
Hannah Einbinder - Hacks
Sheryl Lee Ralph - Abbott Elementary
Janelle James - Abbott Elementary
Carol Burnett - Palm Royale
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jeremy Allen White - The Bear
Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm
Steve Martin - Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short - Only Murders in the Building
Matt Berry – What We Do in the Shadows
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – Reservation Dogs
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Billy Crudup - The Morning Show
Tadanobu Asano - Shogun
Jon Hamm - The Morning Show
Jack Lowden - Slow Horses
Jonathan Pryce – The Crown
Mark Duplass – The Morning Show
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Ebon Moss-Bachrach - The Bear
Tyler James Williams - Abbott Elementary
Paul Rudd - Only Murders in the Building
Bowen Yang – Saturday Night Live
Paul W. Downs – Hacks
Lionel Boyce – The Bear
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Richard Gadd - Baby Reindeer
Matt Bomer - Fellow Travelers
Andrew Scott - Ripley
Tom Hollander - Feud: Capote vs. the Swans
Jon Hamm - Fargo
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jon Bernthal - The Bear
Ryan Gosling - Saturday Night Live
Matthew Broderick - Only Murders in the Building
Will Poulter – The Bear
Bob Odenkirk – The Bear
Christopher Lloyd - Hacks
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Nestor Carbonell - Shogun
John Turturro - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Paul Dano - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Jonathan Pryce – Slow Horses
Tracy Letts - Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Jamie Lee Curtis - The Bear
Olivia Colman - The Bear
Kaitlin Olson - Hacks
Maya Rudolph – Saturday Night Live
Kristen Wiig– Saturday Night Live
Da'Vine Joy Randolph - Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Marcia Gay Harden - The Morning Show
Michaela Coel - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Sarah Paulson - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Parker Posey - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Claire Foy – The Crown
Outstanding Television Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Quiz Lady
Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie
Scoop
Red, White and Royal Blue
Unfrosted
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
And the Emmy Goes to: Girls State
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
The Greatest Night in Pop
Jim Henson: Idea Man
Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Beckham
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst – The Jinx, Part Two
Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV
STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.
Telemarketers
Outstanding Animated Program
And the Emmy Goes to: Blue Eye Samurai – The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride
The Simpsons – Night of the Living Wage
X-Men '97 – Remember It
Scavengers Reign – The Signal
Bob’s Burgers – The Amazing Rudy
Best Directing for a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Frederick E.O. Toye - Shogun
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Christopher Storer – The Bear
Outstanding Writing in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to: Richard Gadd - Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Will Smith - Slow Horses
Outstanding Talk Series
And the Emmy Goes to: The Daily Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night With Seth Meyers
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Best Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
And the Emmy Goes to:Steven Zaillian - Ripley
Writing for a Variety Special
And the Emmy Goes to: Alex Edelman – Just For Us
Outstanding Scripted Variety Series
And the Emmy Goes to: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
And the Emmy Goes to: The Traitors
RuPauls Drag Race
The Voice
The Amazing Race
Top Chef...
- 7/16/2024
- IMDbPro News
The 40th annual TCA Awards released its list of winners on Friday ahead of the first in-person ceremony in five years. FX’s “Shōgun” led the winners’ circle, taking home four prizes from the Television Critics Assn. — including individual achievement in drama for Anna Sawai, as well as outstanding achievement in drama, program of the year and new program of the year.
The latest season of Max’s “Hacks” also saw success with Jean Smart taking the award for individual achievement in comedy and the series taking home the outstanding achievement in comedy award, beating out last year’s winner, “The Bear,” and 2022’s winner, “Abbott Elementary.”
The TCA recognized David Lynch and Mark Frost’s mystery series “Twin Peaks” with the Heritage Award for its incredible significance and impact. The 1990 series, which was led by Kyle MacLachlan, ran for two seasons.
The annual Career Achievement award went to the late Andre Braugher,...
The latest season of Max’s “Hacks” also saw success with Jean Smart taking the award for individual achievement in comedy and the series taking home the outstanding achievement in comedy award, beating out last year’s winner, “The Bear,” and 2022’s winner, “Abbott Elementary.”
The TCA recognized David Lynch and Mark Frost’s mystery series “Twin Peaks” with the Heritage Award for its incredible significance and impact. The 1990 series, which was led by Kyle MacLachlan, ran for two seasons.
The annual Career Achievement award went to the late Andre Braugher,...
- 7/13/2024
- by Emily Longeretta
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s Baby Reindeer and Ripley and FX’s Shōgun lead the 2024 Television Critics Association awards nominations with five each.
FX’s The Bear follows with four noms, and FX’s Fargo and Reservation Dogs and Max’s Hacks with three each.
Past winners Quinta Brunson and Jean Smart return in the Individual Achievement In Comedy category alongside Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Devery Jacobs.
Individual Achievement In Drama nominees include Shōgun stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai against Ripley‘s Andrew Scott, Baby Reindeer‘s Richard Gadd, Fargo’s Juno Temple and Oscar winner Jodie Foster for True Detective: Night Country.
FX and Netflix lead nominations a total of 16 each, followed by HBO/Max with 13 and Disney+ with six.
Winners will be announced in a ceremony at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena on Friday, July 12.
Here is the complete list of nominees:
Program of the...
FX’s The Bear follows with four noms, and FX’s Fargo and Reservation Dogs and Max’s Hacks with three each.
Past winners Quinta Brunson and Jean Smart return in the Individual Achievement In Comedy category alongside Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Devery Jacobs.
Individual Achievement In Drama nominees include Shōgun stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai against Ripley‘s Andrew Scott, Baby Reindeer‘s Richard Gadd, Fargo’s Juno Temple and Oscar winner Jodie Foster for True Detective: Night Country.
FX and Netflix lead nominations a total of 16 each, followed by HBO/Max with 13 and Disney+ with six.
Winners will be announced in a ceremony at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena on Friday, July 12.
Here is the complete list of nominees:
Program of the...
- 6/10/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Benny Safdie talks about his split from brother and partner-in-film Josh — and reveals he doesn’t know if and when the Uncut Gems duo will reunite — in a new interview.
Since the release of the Safdies’ Adam Sandler-starring hit in 2019, the brothers have collaborated to produce docuseries like Telemarketers and Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, but they haven’t returned to film directing. (The bros last co-directed Forget’s “100 Seats” music video back in late 2022.)
Instead, Benny — two years younger than Josh — has focused on his...
Since the release of the Safdies’ Adam Sandler-starring hit in 2019, the brothers have collaborated to produce docuseries like Telemarketers and Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, but they haven’t returned to film directing. (The bros last co-directed Forget’s “100 Seats” music video back in late 2022.)
Instead, Benny — two years younger than Josh — has focused on his...
- 1/4/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Benny Safdie is late.
Frantic and a bit sweaty, he arrives at Westside Restaurant 40 minutes past our 10 a.m. breakfast, and just five minutes after I email his publicist, “Did Benny forget about the interview?”
Benny forgot about the interview.
Out of breath, he profusely apologizes, offering a Mad Lib of an explanation: “I was spray-painting a Tin Man costume in Central Park.”
Before that, Safdie spends three and a half hours answering my questions, legs cramping in a tight booth, metallic-smudged hands dancing around a heated corn muffin. “This place is awesome,” he says after a stack of plates shatters on the old tiled floor, as servers bark omelet orders across the narrow restaurant.
Safdie, 37, grew up bouncing between his divorced parents in Queens and the Upper West Side, and says he’s been coming to this particular spot since his teenage years, when it used to be open all night.
Frantic and a bit sweaty, he arrives at Westside Restaurant 40 minutes past our 10 a.m. breakfast, and just five minutes after I email his publicist, “Did Benny forget about the interview?”
Benny forgot about the interview.
Out of breath, he profusely apologizes, offering a Mad Lib of an explanation: “I was spray-painting a Tin Man costume in Central Park.”
Before that, Safdie spends three and a half hours answering my questions, legs cramping in a tight booth, metallic-smudged hands dancing around a heated corn muffin. “This place is awesome,” he says after a stack of plates shatters on the old tiled floor, as servers bark omelet orders across the narrow restaurant.
Safdie, 37, grew up bouncing between his divorced parents in Queens and the Upper West Side, and says he’s been coming to this particular spot since his teenage years, when it used to be open all night.
- 1/4/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Range Media Partners has signed Sam Lipman-Stern, the documentary filmmaker, producer and cinematographer behind the revelatory HBO series Telemarketers, which debuted to much acclaim in August. The deal marks the first strategic partnership between Range and Weisman Worldwide Entertainment, which will continue to co-manage the artist.
A buzzy exposé drawing on Lipman-Stern’s professional experience in the telemarketing industry, which places a huge spotlight on its predatory tactics, HBO’s three-part limited docuseries recently won the Critics Choice Documentary Award for Best True Crime Documentary. In addition to creating and co-directing the show, Lipman-Stern exec produced alongside Danny McBride, Josh and Benny Safdie, and more.
On the heels of his success with Telemarketers, and through the collaboration between Weisman Worldwide and Range, Lipman-Stern is already working on several new projects for 2024 including a scripted drama and music-based documentary which will be announced in the coming months.
In a statement on the signing,...
A buzzy exposé drawing on Lipman-Stern’s professional experience in the telemarketing industry, which places a huge spotlight on its predatory tactics, HBO’s three-part limited docuseries recently won the Critics Choice Documentary Award for Best True Crime Documentary. In addition to creating and co-directing the show, Lipman-Stern exec produced alongside Danny McBride, Josh and Benny Safdie, and more.
On the heels of his success with Telemarketers, and through the collaboration between Weisman Worldwide and Range, Lipman-Stern is already working on several new projects for 2024 including a scripted drama and music-based documentary which will be announced in the coming months.
In a statement on the signing,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Gotham Awards traditionally mark the unofficial beginning of Oscar season, giving the best and brightest of the independent film community the chance to descend upon New York City to celebrate the year’s best works. And while the ceremony once again kicks off the awards calendar with its Monday after Thanksgiving slot, new changes to the eligibility rules means that a wider range of films will be allowed to compete this year
In the past, only films that cost $35 million or less were eligible for the awards, which inevitably shut out some of the biggest Oscar contenders in order to highlight smaller films. But that cap was eliminated in 2023, allowing major productions such as “Barbie” and “Ferrari” to get in on the action. A total of 20 films, 11 series, and 30 performances were nominated for this year’s awards.
Keep reading for a complete list of nominees at the 2023 Gotham Awards.
In the past, only films that cost $35 million or less were eligible for the awards, which inevitably shut out some of the biggest Oscar contenders in order to highlight smaller films. But that cap was eliminated in 2023, allowing major productions such as “Barbie” and “Ferrari” to get in on the action. A total of 20 films, 11 series, and 30 performances were nominated for this year’s awards.
Keep reading for a complete list of nominees at the 2023 Gotham Awards.
- 11/28/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
The best in film and television was honored tonight at the 2023 Gotham Awards, which kicked off awards season with a bang!
Some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world were in attendance on Monday night (November 27) at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
In the past, the Gothams only celebrated independent films, but they have removed the requirement that all projects are made for under $35 million. Now, some of the contenders this year include big budget movies like Barbie.
The awards show also took away gendered acting categories, opting for an Outstanding Lead Performance category and an Outstanding Supporting Performance category with 10 nominees in each one.
Make sure to see all of the celebs who walked the red carpet!
Head inside to check out the full list of winners…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of winners…
Best Feature
“Passages”
“Past Lives” – Winner
“Reality”
“Showing Up”
“A Thousand and One...
Some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world were in attendance on Monday night (November 27) at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
In the past, the Gothams only celebrated independent films, but they have removed the requirement that all projects are made for under $35 million. Now, some of the contenders this year include big budget movies like Barbie.
The awards show also took away gendered acting categories, opting for an Outstanding Lead Performance category and an Outstanding Supporting Performance category with 10 nominees in each one.
Make sure to see all of the celebs who walked the red carpet!
Head inside to check out the full list of winners…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of winners…
Best Feature
“Passages”
“Past Lives” – Winner
“Reality”
“Showing Up”
“A Thousand and One...
- 11/28/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
“Past Lives” was the big winner at the Gotham Awards on Monday evening, taking home the top prize for best feature. “Anatomy of a Fall” won best international feature and best screenplay — both of the categories it was nominated in. Meanwhile, acting honors were won by Charles Melton for his supporting performance in Todd Haynes’ “May December” and Lily Gladstone for her lead performance in “The Unknown Country.”
“Thank you, Gotham, for this award. It’s such an honor. It really means the world to receive it with my debut set in New York City, a city I live in and love deeply,” writer-director Celine Song began, taking the stage to accept the best feature award. Song thanked her producers at A24, along with her cast and crew. She was joined on stage by two of the film’s stars, Greta Lee and John Magaro.
Director Andrew Haigh’s metaphysical...
“Thank you, Gotham, for this award. It’s such an honor. It really means the world to receive it with my debut set in New York City, a city I live in and love deeply,” writer-director Celine Song began, taking the stage to accept the best feature award. Song thanked her producers at A24, along with her cast and crew. She was joined on stage by two of the film’s stars, Greta Lee and John Magaro.
Director Andrew Haigh’s metaphysical...
- 11/28/2023
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
“Past Lives” is the overwhelming favorite to win Best Feature at the 2023 Gotham Awards, which will be presented tonight at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. That’s according to the predictions of more than 1,000 Gold Derby users who have placed their bets here in our predictions center. Those predictions were combined to generate our official racetrack odds in all 10 competitive categories. Scroll down to see those odds with our projected winners highlighted in gold.
SEEGotham Awards will present ‘Ferrari’ with Icon and Creator Tribute for Innovation
A romantic drama about childhood friends separated for years, “Past Lives” is the front-runner for Best Feature and Breakthrough Director for its first-time filmmaker Celine Song. Could it achieve a clean sweep by winning its third nomination for lead performer Greta Lee? It’s possible, but she’s in a tight race with front-runner Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction“) for that award.
Elsewhere,...
SEEGotham Awards will present ‘Ferrari’ with Icon and Creator Tribute for Innovation
A romantic drama about childhood friends separated for years, “Past Lives” is the front-runner for Best Feature and Breakthrough Director for its first-time filmmaker Celine Song. Could it achieve a clean sweep by winning its third nomination for lead performer Greta Lee? It’s possible, but she’s in a tight race with front-runner Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction“) for that award.
Elsewhere,...
- 11/27/2023
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
It’s a sweep! The Critics Choice Association revealed the winners for its 8th annual documentary awards on Sunday, November 12, 2023, and one film claimed all five of the awards it was nominated for. Though it trailed “American Symphony” in bids going into the night, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” prevailed as the night’s biggest winner, taking home prizes in all five of its categories, including Best Documentary. The film’s other wins went to Davis Guggenheim in Best Director, Michael Harte in Best Editing, and in Best Narration and Best Biographical Documentary.
“American Symphony,” the nomination leader with six, took home two prizes: Jon Batiste won Best Score and the film was named Best Music Documentary. The other two-time winners were “20 Days in Mariupol,” Best First Documentary Feature and Best Political Documentary, and “The Deepest Breath,” Best Cinematography and Best Sports Documentary.
If, like us, you’re...
“American Symphony,” the nomination leader with six, took home two prizes: Jon Batiste won Best Score and the film was named Best Music Documentary. The other two-time winners were “20 Days in Mariupol,” Best First Documentary Feature and Best Political Documentary, and “The Deepest Breath,” Best Cinematography and Best Sports Documentary.
If, like us, you’re...
- 11/13/2023
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie was the big winner at the Eighth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards held on November 12, 2023 in New York City. Still took home five awards, including Best Documentary Feature, Best Director (Davis Guggenheim), Best Editing (Michael Harte), Best Narration (Michael J. Fox), and Best Biographical Documentary.
Critics Choice Association members recognized 20 Days in Mariupol, American Symphony, and The Deepest Breath with two awards each. Additional winners included Being Mary Tyler Moore, JFK: One Day in America, Secrets of the Elephants, Lennon: Murder Without a Trial, Telemarketers, The 1619 Project, The Last Repair Shop, and 30 for 30.
“This was another incredible night of celebrating documentaries as we reunited with familiar faces and welcomed so many new filmmakers to the event for the first time. Congratulations to all the winners, honorees, and everyone else who made our eighth show such a hit,” said Christopher Campbell, Cca’s Vice President of Documentaries.
Critics Choice Association members recognized 20 Days in Mariupol, American Symphony, and The Deepest Breath with two awards each. Additional winners included Being Mary Tyler Moore, JFK: One Day in America, Secrets of the Elephants, Lennon: Murder Without a Trial, Telemarketers, The 1619 Project, The Last Repair Shop, and 30 for 30.
“This was another incredible night of celebrating documentaries as we reunited with familiar faces and welcomed so many new filmmakers to the event for the first time. Congratulations to all the winners, honorees, and everyone else who made our eighth show such a hit,” said Christopher Campbell, Cca’s Vice President of Documentaries.
- 11/13/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Davis Guggenheim’s “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” which chronicled the actor’s life, career and battle with Parkinson’s disease, was named the best nonfiction film of 2023 at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which took place on Sunday night in New York City.
The Apple TV+ film won five awards overall, also including best director for Guggenheim, best narration for Fox, best biographical documentary and best editing.
Journalist Mstyslav Chernov Chernov won the award for Best First Documentary for “20 Days in Mariupol.”
Other winners included “Being Mary Tyler Moore” (Best Archival Documentary), “The Deepest Breath” (Best Sports Documentary), “20 Days in Mariupol” (Best Political Documentary), “American Symphony” (Best Music Documentary), “Secrets of the Elephants” (Best Science/Nature Documentary) and “JFK: One Day in America” (Best Historical Documentary).
Jon Batiste won for the music in “American Symphony,” and Tim Cragg won for the cinematography of “The Deepest Breath.
The Apple TV+ film won five awards overall, also including best director for Guggenheim, best narration for Fox, best biographical documentary and best editing.
Journalist Mstyslav Chernov Chernov won the award for Best First Documentary for “20 Days in Mariupol.”
Other winners included “Being Mary Tyler Moore” (Best Archival Documentary), “The Deepest Breath” (Best Sports Documentary), “20 Days in Mariupol” (Best Political Documentary), “American Symphony” (Best Music Documentary), “Secrets of the Elephants” (Best Science/Nature Documentary) and “JFK: One Day in America” (Best Historical Documentary).
Jon Batiste won for the music in “American Symphony,” and Tim Cragg won for the cinematography of “The Deepest Breath.
- 11/13/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Patrick J. Pespas has been found over three weeks after the unlikely star of HBO’s recent hit docuseries Telemarketers had gone missing.
Adam Bhala Lough, the series’ co-director, announced the good news Thursday night, writing, “Patrick J. Pespas has been found and returned safely to his wife Sue. Thank you to everyone who has shared messages of support, donated and prayed for Pat’s safe return. One day I hope to tell the whole story but for now Pat asks that everyone respects his and Sue’s privacy.”
Patrick J.
Adam Bhala Lough, the series’ co-director, announced the good news Thursday night, writing, “Patrick J. Pespas has been found and returned safely to his wife Sue. Thank you to everyone who has shared messages of support, donated and prayed for Pat’s safe return. One day I hope to tell the whole story but for now Pat asks that everyone respects his and Sue’s privacy.”
Patrick J.
- 10/27/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Ryan Gosling as Ken in ‘Barbie’ (Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
Barbie‘s Ryan Gosling picked up an acting nomination, but the film’s star, Margot Robbie, did not make the cut for the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards. Gotham Film & Media Institute’s Gotham Awards nominees include 20 feature films, 11 series, and 30 actors (in gender-neutral categories).
“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe,” said Jeffrey Sharp, award-winning film producer and the Executive Director of The Gotham.
Winners will be announced on Monday, November 27, 2023.
2023 Gotham Award Nominees
Best Feature
Passages
Past Lives
Reality
Showing Up
A Thousand and One
Best International...
Barbie‘s Ryan Gosling picked up an acting nomination, but the film’s star, Margot Robbie, did not make the cut for the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards. Gotham Film & Media Institute’s Gotham Awards nominees include 20 feature films, 11 series, and 30 actors (in gender-neutral categories).
“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe,” said Jeffrey Sharp, award-winning film producer and the Executive Director of The Gotham.
Winners will be announced on Monday, November 27, 2023.
2023 Gotham Award Nominees
Best Feature
Passages
Past Lives
Reality
Showing Up
A Thousand and One
Best International...
- 10/24/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
New details are emerging about the disappearance of Telemarketers star Patrick J. Pespas, who went missing Friday in Easton, Pa.
Telemarketers co-creator Adam Bhala Lough shared an update Tuesday on X (formerly known as Twitter), telling his followers, “We’re growing increasingly concerned about his well-being. Pat left without his essential medications — both his methadone and his bipolar meds. Without them, he may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, he departed without his phone, leaving him without a way to reach out to us or anyone he knows. If anyone sees Pat or has information on his whereabouts, we kindly request you get in touch immediately.
Telemarketers co-creator Adam Bhala Lough shared an update Tuesday on X (formerly known as Twitter), telling his followers, “We’re growing increasingly concerned about his well-being. Pat left without his essential medications — both his methadone and his bipolar meds. Without them, he may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, he departed without his phone, leaving him without a way to reach out to us or anyone he knows. If anyone sees Pat or has information on his whereabouts, we kindly request you get in touch immediately.
- 10/3/2023
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
“Telemarketers” docuseries subject Patrick J. Pespas has been reported missing, according to limited series helmer Adam Bhala Lough. Lough, who co-directed the recent HBO docuseries with Sam Lipman-Stern, took to X (previously known as Twitter) over the weekend to share, “Pat is missing, and [his wife] Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him. Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him.”
“Telemarketers” centers on a New Jersey-based call center that previously employed Lipman-Stern, Lough’s cousin. Pespas was featured in the docuseries as a salesperson who worked for Civic Development Group. Lough and Lipman-Stern began investigating the workplace after its employer, CDG, allegedly stole donations people made for different organizations through the telemarketing scheme; the docuseries takes place over the course 20 years. The Safdie brothers and Danny McBride produced the HBO three-part docuseries.
Pespas went missing from his home in Easton, Pennsylvania on...
“Telemarketers” centers on a New Jersey-based call center that previously employed Lipman-Stern, Lough’s cousin. Pespas was featured in the docuseries as a salesperson who worked for Civic Development Group. Lough and Lipman-Stern began investigating the workplace after its employer, CDG, allegedly stole donations people made for different organizations through the telemarketing scheme; the docuseries takes place over the course 20 years. The Safdie brothers and Danny McBride produced the HBO three-part docuseries.
Pespas went missing from his home in Easton, Pennsylvania on...
- 10/2/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Patrick J. Pespas, the gregarious, affable center of HBO’s surprise hit docuseries Telemarketers, has gone missing, as friends and family put out urgent calls on social media for assistance.
Adam Bhala Lough, the series’ co-director, announced Pespas’ disappearance over the weekend, writing Friday night, “Pat is missing, and [Pespas’ wife] Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him. Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him. He was last seen in the Easton, Pa area. Thank you.”
Bhala Lough confirmed Sunday night that...
Adam Bhala Lough, the series’ co-director, announced Pespas’ disappearance over the weekend, writing Friday night, “Pat is missing, and [Pespas’ wife] Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him. Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him. He was last seen in the Easton, Pa area. Thank you.”
Bhala Lough confirmed Sunday night that...
- 10/2/2023
- by Jason Newman
- Rollingstone.com
Patrick J. Pespas, one of the subjects of the recent HBO documentary series “Telemarketers,” has gone missing. That’s according to the directors of “Telemarketers.”
In a post on X, director Adam Bhala Lough wrote, “Pat is missing, and Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him.”
Sue is Pespas’ wife.
“Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him,” Lough wrote. “He was last seen in the Easton, Pa area. Thank you.”
He was last seen Friday night at 8 p.m., according to the post. Lough notes that Pespas left in his white Ford Mustang and was most likely somewhere in New Jersey.
This is Pat’s white ford mustang – he left in this car. He is most likely somewhere in New Jersey. Please look out for this car. pic.twitter.com/ulPaDaCdvu
— Bhala (@AdamBhalaLough) October 1, 2023
Pespas proved to be a dynamic...
In a post on X, director Adam Bhala Lough wrote, “Pat is missing, and Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him.”
Sue is Pespas’ wife.
“Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him,” Lough wrote. “He was last seen in the Easton, Pa area. Thank you.”
He was last seen Friday night at 8 p.m., according to the post. Lough notes that Pespas left in his white Ford Mustang and was most likely somewhere in New Jersey.
This is Pat’s white ford mustang – he left in this car. He is most likely somewhere in New Jersey. Please look out for this car. pic.twitter.com/ulPaDaCdvu
— Bhala (@AdamBhalaLough) October 1, 2023
Pespas proved to be a dynamic...
- 10/1/2023
- by Mike Roe
- The Wrap
Max, formerly known as HBO Max, has rolled out its first Top 10 lists in an effort to increase engagement with its best films and series.
Atop the inaugural podium for series are “Hard Knocks” (NFL training camp with the New York Jets), “And Just Like That…,” and “Winning Time,” a series about the Los Angeles Lakers of the ’80s.
Leading movies are DC disappointment “The Flash,” Bishop Sycamore high-school football documentary “Bs High,” and 2015 Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart prison comedy “Get Hard.”
It measures only those series that released a new episode on the platform within the last six weeks period and movies that debuted within the last eight weeks. Those are the windows when hits usually happen; you’ll see movies a heck of a lot older then “Get Hard” on Max’s top 10. Linear tune-in via HBO or the Discovery cable channels does not count toward Max’s Top 10.
However,...
Atop the inaugural podium for series are “Hard Knocks” (NFL training camp with the New York Jets), “And Just Like That…,” and “Winning Time,” a series about the Los Angeles Lakers of the ’80s.
Leading movies are DC disappointment “The Flash,” Bishop Sycamore high-school football documentary “Bs High,” and 2015 Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart prison comedy “Get Hard.”
It measures only those series that released a new episode on the platform within the last six weeks period and movies that debuted within the last eight weeks. Those are the windows when hits usually happen; you’ll see movies a heck of a lot older then “Get Hard” on Max’s top 10. Linear tune-in via HBO or the Discovery cable channels does not count toward Max’s Top 10.
However,...
- 9/1/2023
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Telemarketers is a three-part documentary series directed by Adam Bhala Lough and one of the telemarketing company employees, Sam Lipman-Stern. This miniseries documented Sam and his buddy Patrick’s decade-long investigation into a fundraising scam in the United States. Sam started recording videos when he worked at Civic Development Group (CDG), a fundraising company that was later found to be involved in fraudulent activities. After CDG was shut down due to its scams, Sam and his friend Patrick Pespas teamed up to dig into CDG’s connections with charities. They aimed to expose how these groups were illegally taking money from people in the name of charity, but none of the funds were being used for actual charitable purposes.
What Happened To CDG?
In the first episode of Telemarketers, we meet Sam Lipman-Stern, a 14-year-old high school dropout who joined CDG in the early 2000s. CDG provided a haven for...
What Happened To CDG?
In the first episode of Telemarketers, we meet Sam Lipman-Stern, a 14-year-old high school dropout who joined CDG in the early 2000s. CDG provided a haven for...
- 8/30/2023
- by Poulami Nanda
- Film Fugitives
If there's a golden rule in telemarketing, it's that it never hurts to ask — or, as a manager tells top salesman Pat Pespas, "Just keep pushing." That mantra was burned into the brains of the callers at Civic Development Group, the company at the center of HBO's Telemarketers. Reminders about sticking to the script littered the office, as did signs detailing the appropriate rebuttals to concerns from people on the other end of the line. "Your house just burned down, John? Is it completely totaled?" asks one caller in early-aughts footage filmed by fellow employee Sam Lipman-Stern, who co-directed the docuseries with Adam Bhala Lough. "Now John, I don't want to burn you, but we do have a bronze [donation package] at $20, or a booster at $15."...
- 8/28/2023
- by Claire Spellberg Lustig
- Primetimer
Insurance executives. Wall Street bros. Whoever makes the Subway bread smell like that.
It’s hard to imagine professions more widely hated than telemarketers — the people, and more recently robots, who call you up at all hours of the day, asking for money. But what if I were to tell you that telemarketers aren’t the problem? Like any service industry job, the customer-facing employees are rarely the ones deserving our ire. It’s the executives who set their quotas, write their scripts, and pay for the call lists with your phone number — they’re the ones who should catch an earful of vitriol every time they interrupt family dinner. But what if it wasn’t just these uncaring, overpaid executives who were to blame? What if it’s also the so-called charities themselves?
“Telemarketers,” a three-part HBO documentary series produced by Danny McBride along with Benny and Josh Safdie,...
It’s hard to imagine professions more widely hated than telemarketers — the people, and more recently robots, who call you up at all hours of the day, asking for money. But what if I were to tell you that telemarketers aren’t the problem? Like any service industry job, the customer-facing employees are rarely the ones deserving our ire. It’s the executives who set their quotas, write their scripts, and pay for the call lists with your phone number — they’re the ones who should catch an earful of vitriol every time they interrupt family dinner. But what if it wasn’t just these uncaring, overpaid executives who were to blame? What if it’s also the so-called charities themselves?
“Telemarketers,” a three-part HBO documentary series produced by Danny McBride along with Benny and Josh Safdie,...
- 8/13/2023
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Sam Lipman-Stern was 14, he’d just dropped out of ninth grade, and he needed a job stat. There wasn’t a host of options for an underage kid in New Jersey in terms of gainful employment, and his main interests at the time — skating, graffiti, filming his friends on his camcorder — weren’t necessarily gateways to a paying gig. But his parents told him that if he left high school, he would need to work, full stop. And then Sam heard about the Civic Development Group.
The telemarketing firm, commonly referred to as CDG,...
The telemarketing firm, commonly referred to as CDG,...
- 8/13/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
A new docuseries from HBO and Max goes on a deep dive through a 20-year experience shared by two co-workers who become best friends. They both got wrapped up in a charity scheme based in a New Jersey call center. “Telemarketers” gives viewers an up-close look at the shady scam and exposes the truth behind the business pedaling for donations. The shocking story unfolds throughout three episodes. The first episode debuts on Max on Sunday, August 13 at 10 p.m. You can watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max.
How to Watch ‘Telemarketers’ Series Premiere When: Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 10:00 Pm Edt Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid Annually
About ‘Telemarketers’ Series Premiere
The new docuseries, “Telemarketers” tells the dark, true story of two call center employees, Sam Lipman-Stern and Pat Pespas,...
How to Watch ‘Telemarketers’ Series Premiere When: Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 10:00 Pm Edt Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid Annually
About ‘Telemarketers’ Series Premiere
The new docuseries, “Telemarketers” tells the dark, true story of two call center employees, Sam Lipman-Stern and Pat Pespas,...
- 8/13/2023
- by Aubrey Chorpenning
- The Streamable
Two decades ago, Civic Development Group put a lot of people to work who couldn’t find it anywhere else. The telemarketing company employed high school dropouts, convicted felons, and drug addicts, many of whom felt as though they’d found their calling at a company that incentivized them to unwittingly participate in a high-stakes grift.
As they juggled calls on behalf of policemen unions and other charitable organizations, inadvertently duping gullible targets into opening their wallets, they had no idea how little money actually went to the organizations themselves. In truth, CDG was making a killing, keeping 90 percent of all donations — while its staffers treated the office as a hedonistic playground.
The footage of those antics provides the backbone for the first episode of “Telemarketers,” directors Adam Bhala Lough and Sam Lipman-Stern’s gritty and often darkly funny look at the CDG’s scam and the wider conspiracy of...
As they juggled calls on behalf of policemen unions and other charitable organizations, inadvertently duping gullible targets into opening their wallets, they had no idea how little money actually went to the organizations themselves. In truth, CDG was making a killing, keeping 90 percent of all donations — while its staffers treated the office as a hedonistic playground.
The footage of those antics provides the backbone for the first episode of “Telemarketers,” directors Adam Bhala Lough and Sam Lipman-Stern’s gritty and often darkly funny look at the CDG’s scam and the wider conspiracy of...
- 8/12/2023
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Adam Bhala Lough and Sam Lipman-Stern’s new three-part HBO documentary Telemarketers occupies a space on the nonfiction continuum somewhere between the angry, journalistic interrogation of early Michael Moore and the more laid-back, observational curiosity of the Nathan Fielder/John Wilson school.
It’s a slightly precarious position. As a muckraking crusade, Telemarketers conveys and synthesizes less revelatory information than your typical Last Week Tonight With John Oliver main story — which is to say that anything you learn from the documentary you probably could have learned five years ago if you’d just wanted to know. As more personal storytelling, the series sometimes lacks introspection and sufficient autobiographical candor.
In the uneasy blending, though, Telemarketers finds something that’s frequently funny, unexpectedly poignant and occasionally rather special. It isn’t going to topple an industry, but its story of two unlikely friends who, after doing the wrong thing for a long time,...
It’s a slightly precarious position. As a muckraking crusade, Telemarketers conveys and synthesizes less revelatory information than your typical Last Week Tonight With John Oliver main story — which is to say that anything you learn from the documentary you probably could have learned five years ago if you’d just wanted to know. As more personal storytelling, the series sometimes lacks introspection and sufficient autobiographical candor.
In the uneasy blending, though, Telemarketers finds something that’s frequently funny, unexpectedly poignant and occasionally rather special. It isn’t going to topple an industry, but its story of two unlikely friends who, after doing the wrong thing for a long time,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Telemarketers” may be summer TV’s oddest thrill ride. Co-director Sam Lipman-Stern begins the three-part docuseries, which launches August 13 on HBO, in retrospect. He’s looking back at the footage he shot of his time working for telemarketing firm CDG (short for Civic Development Group) two decades ago. Then a teenager, Lipman-Stern recorded everything: The aggressive sell he and his colleagues made over the phone to solicit donations for what the callers claimed were police charitable unions, as well as the freewheeling culture that permeated throughout the office. Closer to the present day, he and co-director Adam Bhala Lough reconnect with Lipman-Stern’s former colleague Pat Pespas to delve into how the system has morphed since they first worked together, and how they might be able to use what they’ve learned from their years of calling strangers to take it down.
Backed by high-profile executive producers including Benny and Josh Safdie and Danny McBride,...
Backed by high-profile executive producers including Benny and Josh Safdie and Danny McBride,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to the 226th episode of TV’s Top 5, The Hollywood Reporter’s TV podcast.
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week, we’re joined by Chris Keyser, the co-chair of the Writers Guild of America’s negotiating committee, to discuss the 100-day marker of the strike and what comes next. Plus Dan and I discuss the Emmys’ move to January and the odd situation of TV’s awards season as well as a busy week for Disney.
Here’s how the episode plays out:
1. Mailbag
As the strikes continue to impact dealmaking, we’re answering listener questions each week. This segment explores why...
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week, we’re joined by Chris Keyser, the co-chair of the Writers Guild of America’s negotiating committee, to discuss the 100-day marker of the strike and what comes next. Plus Dan and I discuss the Emmys’ move to January and the odd situation of TV’s awards season as well as a busy week for Disney.
Here’s how the episode plays out:
1. Mailbag
As the strikes continue to impact dealmaking, we’re answering listener questions each week. This segment explores why...
- 8/11/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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