Kristen Wiig on tap for new Apple-funded scripted comedy series

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2018
Apple has teamed up with Reese Witherspoon's production company for the third time, to deliver the comedy vehicle starring Kristen Wiig in her first role outside of movies in over five years.




A report by The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, and later backed up by Variety claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show is reportedly inspired by Curtis Sittenfelds upcoming short story collection "You Think It, I'll Say It."

This will be Wiig's first "television" show in five years, after a shift to movies. After "Saturday Night Live," she appeared in "Bridesmaids," "The Martian," "Downsizing," and "Ghostbusters" amongst others.

Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine studio is linked to the project, making it the third Apple-funded production attached to the actress. The first show is as of yet untitled, but features Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a drama based on morning show production.

The second show is development of Nichelle Tramble Spellman's "Are You Sleeping," with the "Serial" podcast creator onboard in an advisory role, and Octavia Spencer starring.

In 2017, Apple also reportedly provided a blank check to Drake for his own shows and movies, and signed a deal with "Star Trek" and "Battlestar Galactica" reboot alum Ronald D. Moore for a new space drama. It is also reportedly paying $5 million per episode on a ten-episode season of "Amazing Stories," a revival of the Amblin Television and NBCUniversal science fiction anthology.

These are all thought to be part of a broader $1 billion investment in original programming, which is considerable but still a lower investment than those of its competitors, such as Netflix's reported $7 billion on original content for 2018.
lolliver

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 14
    JanNLJanNL Posts: 327member
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
  • Reply 2 of 14
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    I like her. Good pick.
  • Reply 3 of 14
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,861administrator
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
  • Reply 4 of 14
    JanNLJanNL Posts: 327member
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Ah, sorry to hear. Then a good recovery from the flu!
    edited January 2018
  • Reply 5 of 14
    randominternetpersonrandominternetperson Posts: 3,089member
    Mike Wuerthele said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Reply 6 of 14
    2old4fun2old4fun Posts: 239member
    randominternetperson said:
    Mike Wuerthele said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
    Clear Liquids - white wine, vodka, gin ...
    lolliver
  • Reply 7 of 14
    holyoneholyone Posts: 398member
    2old4fun said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
    Clear Liquids - white wine, vodka, gin ...
     :D  :D :D  died

    Wonder what criteria an idea has to meet to be considered, and who gets the final say, and how involved are Tim and posse, does Cue's job now include script reading ?

     to be a fly on that wall.  
  • Reply 8 of 14
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    2old4fun said:
    randominternetperson said:
    Mike Wuerthele said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
    Clear Liquids - white wine, vodka, gin ...
    ...rubbing alcohol...
  • Reply 9 of 14
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    holyone said:
    2old4fun said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
    Clear Liquids - white wine, vodka, gin ...
     :D  :D :D  died

    Wonder what criteria an idea has to meet to be considered, and who gets the final say, and how involved are Tim and posse, does Cue's job now include script reading ?

     to be a fly on that wall.  

    They hired about 6-7 people with a lot of experience producing top notch entertainment, they're not reading anything; they'll leave that job to them.

    Producers go where the money is. There is no loyalty. If Apple gives them money and mostly stays out of their way, the most creative highly sought producers will flock there.

    HBO, Netflix and Amazon now have Apple to content with and there is a good chance they'll lose a big successful show to Apple.

    That's the thing people forget, all of those companies / studio need no production expertise (besides a few guys good at picking winners and good at setting up the intricacy of licensing and financial aspects).

    The Studio system of the 1910-1950s is long gone and Apple can easily run the whole thing with a few knowledgeable guys and a lot of money.

    Apple has the distribution going and that's the key to success in entertainment.
     
    That's so much the guy that the undoing of the original studio system was separating the studios from their screens.
    Because Apple doesn't control the whole distribution (they don't have a monopoly), they can do it though I'm sure some content producers or independent distributors will undoubtedly complain especially if they create the equivalent of Apple Music for video that would look a lot like what Netflix is now doing but with a lot better distribution.
    edited January 2018 lolliver
  • Reply 10 of 14
    holyoneholyone Posts: 398member
    foggyhill said:
    holyone said:
    2old4fun said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
    Clear Liquids - white wine, vodka, gin ...
     :D  :D :D  died

    Wonder what criteria an idea has to meet to be considered, and who gets the final say, and how involved are Tim and posse, does Cue's job now include script reading ?

     to be a fly on that wall.  

    They hired about 6-7 people with a lot of experience producing top notch entertainment, they're not reading anything; they'll leave that job to them.

    Producers go where the money is. There is no loyalty. If Apple gives them money and mostly stays out of their way, the most creative highly sought producers will flock there.

    HBO, Netflix and Amazon now have Apple to content with and there is a good chance they'll lose a big successful show to Apple.

    That's the thing people forget, all of those companies / studio need no production expertise (besides a few guys good at picking winners and good at setting up the intricacy of licensing and financial aspects).

    The Studio system of the 1910-1950s is long gone and Apple can easily run the whole thing with a few knowledgeable guys and a lot of money.

    Apple has the distribution going and that's the key to success in entertainment.
     
    That's so much the guy that the undoing of the original studio system was separating the studios from their screens.
    Because Apple doesn't control the whole distribution (they don't have a monopoly), they can do it though I'm sure some content producers or independent distributors will undoubtedly complain especially if they create the equivalent of Apple Music for video that would look a lot like what Netflix is now doing but with a lot better distribution.
    That would be ideal I suppose, but I really doubt that there is total freedom as any show or movie would have to be inline with the Apple brand i.e. no violence, sex or edgy content that would risk backlash threatening the wholesome Apple message, sure you can make the case that Disney is wholesome but Disney has untouchable IP yet even they will realise that you cant make a sucsessfull platform that caters to a single demographic and be above the many varied tastes that exist, and catered for on Prime and Netflix without personal judgments. Do you really think that a GOT type show would get the all clear from Tim ? Really ? At the end of the day this hole thing has to add value for shareholders, I don't see this adding any real value for Apple, it works for Amazon because it sweetens prime, and for Netflix coz that is specifically their business, but to do the same for Apple it has to encourage continuous hardwear sales, will people buy new apple hardwear especially to access Apple's new content ?  
    edited January 2018
  • Reply 11 of 14
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    holyone said:
    foggyhill said:
    holyone said:
    2old4fun said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
    Clear Liquids - white wine, vodka, gin ...
     :D  :D :D  died

    Wonder what criteria an idea has to meet to be considered, and who gets the final say, and how involved are Tim and posse, does Cue's job now include script reading ?

     to be a fly on that wall.  

    They hired about 6-7 people with a lot of experience producing top notch entertainment, they're not reading anything; they'll leave that job to them.

    Producers go where the money is. There is no loyalty. If Apple gives them money and mostly stays out of their way, the most creative highly sought producers will flock there.

    HBO, Netflix and Amazon now have Apple to content with and there is a good chance they'll lose a big successful show to Apple.

    That's the thing people forget, all of those companies / studio need no production expertise (besides a few guys good at picking winners and good at setting up the intricacy of licensing and financial aspects).

    The Studio system of the 1910-1950s is long gone and Apple can easily run the whole thing with a few knowledgeable guys and a lot of money.

    Apple has the distribution going and that's the key to success in entertainment.
     
    That's so much the guy that the undoing of the original studio system was separating the studios from their screens.
    Because Apple doesn't control the whole distribution (they don't have a monopoly), they can do it though I'm sure some content producers or independent distributors will undoubtedly complain especially if they create the equivalent of Apple Music for video that would look a lot like what Netflix is now doing but with a lot better distribution.
    That would be ideal I suppose, but I really doubt that there is total freedom as any show or movie would have to be inline with the Apple brand i.e. no violence, sex or edgy content that would risk backlash threatening the wholesome Apple message, sure you can make the case that Disney is wholesome but Disney has untouchable IP yet even they will realise that you cant make a sucsessfull platform that caters to a single demographic and be above the many varied tastes that exist, and catered for on Prime and Netflix without personal judgments. Do you really think that a GOT type show would get the all clear from Tim ? Really ? At the end of the day this hole thing has to add value for shareholders, I don't see this adding any real value for Apple, it works for Amazon because it sweetens prime, and for Netflix coz that is specifically their business, but to do the same for Apple it has to encourage continuous hardwear sales, will people buy new apple hardwear especially to access Apple's new content ?  
    People are not "buying hardware", the hardware is a gateway into "improving people's life". That's the real product Apple is selling, the products are mere artifact.

    The fact many people still thing Apple is "selling hardware" explains why people never value the PE of Apple properly. All those little pieces of the puzzle work together.

    Apple tried to get the content producers on board so Apple could provide an unified experience at content but seemingly it was a no go with them leaving Apple and clients with a disjointed experience for people wanting to find quality content on their platform (having to use a lot of different apps for example). With Disney pulling all its content it will only get worse.

    What Apple is doing now is in response to industry force counteracting their own desire for providing a streamline view of all content; in fact a plan B.
  • Reply 12 of 14
    fastasleepfastasleep Posts: 6,417member
    holyone said:
    2old4fun said:
    JanNL said:
    So Mike, still not recovered from CES?  ;)

    "The Hollywood Reporter link texton Wednesday, and later backed up by Varierty claims that Apple has ordered the 10-episode comedy sketch show starring Wiig. The show isrepotedly inspired"  :) 
    CES is recovered from. The flu, less so.
    Drink plenty of fluids.
    Clear Liquids - white wine, vodka, gin ...
     :D  :D :D  died

    Wonder what criteria an idea has to meet to be considered, and who gets the final say, and how involved are Tim and posse, does Cue's job now include script reading ?

     to be a fly on that wall.  
    SVPs don't sit around reading scripts, they pay people to do that.
  • Reply 13 of 14
    bestkeptsecretbestkeptsecret Posts: 4,265member

    By the time these shows start streaming, Apple will probably have an app that isn't Apple Music. Or would they continue with Apple Music, since that is where the subscription is?

    They already have a TV app in the US, right? The Video app is also there. Would they Front Row make a comeback?

  • Reply 14 of 14
    fastasleepfastasleep Posts: 6,417member
    bestkeptsecret said:

    By the time these shows start streaming, Apple will probably have an app that isn't Apple Music. Or would they continue with Apple Music, since that is where the subscription is?

    They already have a TV app in the US, right? The Video app is also there. Would they Front Row make a comeback?

    Pretty sure the TV app is where this all will live, on iOS and tvOS. Will there be a macOS version (that would be your modern Front Row) or will they shoehorn this content into iTunes? Or will iTunes finally get killed off and we'll have Apple Music.app, Apple TV.app, etc.

    What's weird, I just looked on my iPhone and iPad for the Videos app — it now shows up as an app in Spotlight Search on the App Store with a greyed out cloud/download icon, and says "This app requires specific features not available on this device" — on both my iPhone X and iPad Air 2, both of which it says it's compatible with. Dunno what's happening there, but maybe it's only available for download to older devices/iOS versions without the TV app?


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