Previewed at WWDC, launching in the fall.
Dr. Dre to Star in Apple's First Original Television Series
Following rumors Apple is planning to create original television content like Netflix and Amazon, news has leaked about the company's first prospective TV show courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter. The series, called Vital Signs, is described as a dark semi-autobiographical drama that stars Beats co-founder and Apple executive Dr. Dre.
Sources who have seen scripts and descriptions of the show have described it as being very dark, reflecting at least in part on the life of Dr. Dre. Each episode is said to focus on a "different emotion" and the way Dre's character handles it.
The Hollywood Reporter believes the series is likely to be distributed through Apple Music, which was born out of the Beats Music service created by Dre. It may also be available through iTunes or distributed through other channels, but the details on that are not yet clear. As with Netflix shows, all episodes of the series will be released at once.
Dr. Dre is the executive producer on the series, and it's being funded by Apple. The series will also star Sam Rockwell, known for movies like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Galaxy Quest, and Moon, along with Mo McRae, known for his role in Sons of Anarchy. It will be directed by Paul Hunter.
Sources who have seen scripts and descriptions of the show have described it as being very dark, reflecting at least in part on the life of Dr. Dre. Each episode is said to focus on a "different emotion" and the way Dre's character handles it.
While technically a half-hour, the show is not a comedy. Instead, it is described as a dark drama with no shortage of violence and sex. In fact, an episode filming Monday and Tuesday this week featured an extended orgy scene. Sources tell THR naked extras simulated sex in a mansion in the Bird Streets neighborhood of Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills. (Dre's wife Nicole Threatt Young was on set to witness the shenanigans, one insider says.)News that Apple was exploring the possibility of original television programming first surfaced last summer, ahead of when it shelved its streaming television plans. At the time, it was speculated the content could be provided through a rumored streaming service, but with Apple having ended development on that project at the current time, distribution will come through more traditional means.
The Hollywood Reporter believes the series is likely to be distributed through Apple Music, which was born out of the Beats Music service created by Dre. It may also be available through iTunes or distributed through other channels, but the details on that are not yet clear. As with Netflix shows, all episodes of the series will be released at once.
Dr. Dre is the executive producer on the series, and it's being funded by Apple. The series will also star Sam Rockwell, known for movies like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Galaxy Quest, and Moon, along with Mo McRae, known for his role in Sons of Anarchy. It will be directed by Paul Hunter.
Tags: Apple Music, Dr. Dre
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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31 months ago
Will it reveal how he avoided prison after assaulting journalist Dee Barnes with the help of his body guard? Her crime: a critical review of his work.
Rolling Stone: He [Dre] picked her up by her hair and "began slamming her head and the right side of her body repeatedly against a brick wall near the stairway" as his bodyguard held off the crowd with a gun. After Dre tried to throw her down the stairs and failed, he began kicking her in the ribs and hands. She escaped and ran into the women’s rest room. Dre followed her and "grabbed her from behind by the hair again and proceeded to punch her in the back of the head."As Dr. Dre explained the incident: "People talk all this ****, but you know, somebody **** with me, I’m gonna **** with them. I just did it, you know. Ain’t nothing you can do now by talking about it. Besides, it ain’t no big thing—I just threw her through a door." Mr Cook knows how to pick them.
31 months ago
Apple please ask yourselves "Are we TV producers, or do we make amazing tech products and software?"
31 months ago
Will it reveal how he avoided prison after assaulting journalist Dee Barnes with the help of his body guard? Her crime: a critical review of his work.
31 months ago
This is ridiculous, if true. Kind of a conflict of interest for Dre to be an actor and Apple executive.
The only way to stop this stupidity and turn Apple around is to get rid of Cook, Cue and Williams. I'm sorry but the Apple executives are getting desperate trying too hard to be " cool ". They need to lay off true vanity projects and focus on sensible products that have function.
I love Sam Rockwell and his brilliant work in MOON but this could really hurt his career.
The only way to stop this stupidity and turn Apple around is to get rid of Cook, Cue and Williams. I'm sorry but the Apple executives are getting desperate trying too hard to be " cool ". They need to lay off true vanity projects and focus on sensible products that have function.
I love Sam Rockwell and his brilliant work in MOON but this could really hurt his career.
31 months ago
Wow! I've been a raving fan for the last three decades. At my business, due largely to my evangelism of Apple products all 100 people are using Macs. Now I'm really concerned my favorite company is losing it and am finally compelled to say something.
First, quality control is going downhill. What has happened to Apple Mail. The current version is full of bugs. Seems like everyone is going to gmail and dropping their mail client. Gmail is reliable and shows constant improvements and refinements. That's just one example. I could go on about other similar half baked products but those are not what caused me to make this post.
If Apple releases the kind of pathetic "entertainment" content suggested in this article, my unwavering support for Apple products will almost certainly begin to see an intentional end. Apple, you have a history of making products that improve the quality of people's lives. Why not make content that improves peoples lives. If you can't do that, get out of the media business. Just like Apple doesn't try to make cheap run of the mill products in an effort to improve market share, Apple shouldn't produce garbage content to grab a few more eyeballs for it's Apple TV. This whole thing smells of desperation. Tim Cook needs to get back to doing what makes Apple great and shut this thing down. Apple needs to make products that are empowering and improve peoples lives in new and innovative ways.
First, quality control is going downhill. What has happened to Apple Mail. The current version is full of bugs. Seems like everyone is going to gmail and dropping their mail client. Gmail is reliable and shows constant improvements and refinements. That's just one example. I could go on about other similar half baked products but those are not what caused me to make this post.
If Apple releases the kind of pathetic "entertainment" content suggested in this article, my unwavering support for Apple products will almost certainly begin to see an intentional end. Apple, you have a history of making products that improve the quality of people's lives. Why not make content that improves peoples lives. If you can't do that, get out of the media business. Just like Apple doesn't try to make cheap run of the mill products in an effort to improve market share, Apple shouldn't produce garbage content to grab a few more eyeballs for it's Apple TV. This whole thing smells of desperation. Tim Cook needs to get back to doing what makes Apple great and shut this thing down. Apple needs to make products that are empowering and improve peoples lives in new and innovative ways.
31 months ago
This just in: Apple has jumped the shark. I repeat, Apple has jumped the shark.
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