By Mr. Will Wong
Based on the book Deadly Dance: The Chippendales Murders by K. Scot Macdonald and Patrick MontesDeOca, WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES might on the surface appear to be wild, rowdy and sensational, and that it is in ways. The eight-episode Limited Series exploring the rise and fall of Steve Banerjee, founder of male dance troupe The Chippendales, is more than that, tapping into questions about racism, the circumstances that led a once successful businessman to make detrimental choices and his mental decline.
Kumail Nanjiani stars as Banerjee, whom we meet working at a convenience store being harassed by customers. It’s the late ’70s and America isn’t necessarily the most welcoming place to immigrants. People giggle about his birth name Soman and it’s a real process for him getting into the exclusive restaurants he wishes not being an exclusive member, even after he’s become wealthy legitimately. He’s ambitious, but also obsessive, controlling and a Sociopath. The Series, created by Robert Siegel (Pam & Tommy), gives balanced observations that are in ways empathetic where Banerjee was coming from, without necessarily being forgiving of some of the horrible things he did. Above all, it honours his commitment to making The Chippendales a groundbreaking success, feuding with his creative partner Nick De Noia (Murray Bartlett) in a power struggle, before plotting his demise. It is a balance of legacy and the tragic True Crime that has left a blood stain on The Chippendales‘ brand.
Beneath the copious snorting of coccaine, sex, machismo-proud choreography and flashed buttocks, the Series really attempts to get into Banerjee‘s headspace. The charismatic Nanjiani is tasked with playing someone not necessarily likable and void of charm, but makes us believe he really can go against all odds, win the heart of the woman he feels he deserves and be the boss of an empire. And he does this exceedingly well, especially late in the Series where he growingly is paranoid and vulnerable, refusing to go down in defeat.
Annaleigh Ashford is a real force, playing his wife Irene and is the real moral compass of the story, helping enable him to become the man he aspires to be. But things are problematic when he doesn’t know where to draw the line in order to stay on-top of the throne he built. Bartlett who really is in a career renaissance following a Primetime Emmy win for The White Lotus and a memorable turn on Physical, once again tackles the role with aplomb even if he doesn’t quite get the space his character should have gotten, equally responsible for the success of The Chippendales as its face. Juliette Lewis rounds-out this Ensemble and is better than ever as the present and commanding Denise who is introduced as just a fan, but becomes an integral part of the success story as Bartlett‘s Nick launches plans to bring the troupe on tour… and further away from Banerjee.
The Series explores also Banerjee‘s relationship with his Indian mother, keeping his growing empire a secret from her, exploring cultural disapproval, but he also faces racism in America on a daily basis and in this regard, taps into some of that anger within that drives him to fight. Like Pam & Tommy, Siegel once again takes us back to another era with a commitment to detail, capturing the climate of the time period, taking us on a messy, mesmerizing journey.
The first two episodes of WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES arrive November 23, 2022, with new episodes arriving weekly on Disney+.
We’re so drawn to the saga of The Chippendales! Disney+ today released the official Trailer for upcoming Series WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES, based on a true story. Strippers. Money. Murder.
Synopsis:
A sprawling true-crime saga, “Welcome to Chippendales” tells the outrageous story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian immigrant who became the unlikely founder of the world’s greatest male-stripping empire—and let nothing stand in his way in the process.
“Welcome to Chippendales’” star-studded cast includes Kumail Nanjiani (“The Big Sick”), Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”), Juliette Lewis (“Yellowjackets”) and Annaleigh Ashford (“American Crime Story”), with recurring guest stars Quentin Plair (“The Good Lord Bird”), Robin de Jesús (“tick, tick… BOOM!”), and Andrew Rannells (“Girls5eva”), along with guest stars Nicola Peltz Beckham (“Holidate”) and Dan Stevens (“Gaslit”).
Robert Siegel and Nanjiani executive produce alongside Dylan Sellers, Jenni Konner, Matt Shakman, Emily V. Gordon, Nora Silver and Rajiv Joseph, who will write on the series along with Mehar Sethi. Siegel and Konner serve as co-showrunners and Shakman will direct. Jacqui Rivera is co-executive producer and Annie Wyman is co-producer.
Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Kids Profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.
Every dream has a dark side. #WelcomeToChippendales, streaming November 22 on #DisneyPlus Canada. pic.twitter.com/Bs5WK77QCA
— Disney+ Canada 🇨🇦 (@DisneyPlusCA) October 18, 2022
WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES arrives on Disney+ November 22, 2022 via its Star banner.
(Photo/video credit: Disney+)
By David Baldwin
When we last left Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne), she was on her way to the top of the Aerobics game. But success will not come easy with all of the new challenges standing in her way, including new management, new competition and a completely different home life now that her husband Danny (Rory Scovel) lost his election bid.
The first thing I noticed about Season Two of PHYSICAL was its scope. We are not confined to people’s homes and the mall anymore – we are out and about, being introduced to all of the returning characters in much larger, more populated settings. Covid-related or not, that increased scope speaks to how much more expansive Season Two feels versus Season One, and how much deeper Showrunner/Series Creator Annie Weisman wants us to travel on Sheila’s journey. The Show still has its bleak sense of humour and its streak of foreboding darkness (not to mention its central themes revolving around addiction, body dysmorphia and casual misogyny), yet it feels refreshing to have so much less focus on Danny and his political aspirations this go-round. Seeing him take a backseat to Sheila’s quest for greater success opens the world of PHYSICAL up to such greater possibilities and more interesting storylines for Weisman and Crew to explore.
And yes, the outfits, hairstyles and the inspired musical choices are still just as impeccable as they were the first time. If you love the ’80s even half as much as I do, you will be very pleased.
The Cast is rock solid all-around, settling into their characters with ease. Dierdre Friel’s expanded role as Greta is easily an early highlight, and Scovel’s interpretation of Danny after political defeat makes for an interesting antithesis to last season. Murray Bartlett (the Emmy-nominated MVP from last Summer’s deliciously devious The White Lotus), is the key new character in the Ensemble, playing Vinnie Green, a fellow self-made Aerobics Instructor and Infomercial personality. He straight-up steals the show anytime he pops on-screen. Byrne still stands high above everyone else though, with her vicious narration – which is often just as hilarious as it is harrowing – and her hunger for success and the power that comes with it. The Series continues to be her strongest work to date, practically soaring as she throws herself recklessly into every situation and tries to not overthink the consequences. Byrne was always the highlight of so many of her projects and seeing her continue to lead this cast in this bold, no-nonsense role is truly exhilarating.
Be sure to read our interview coverage with Rose Byrne,
Series Creator Annie Weisman and the rest of the Cast!
The first episode of Season Two of PHYSICAL premieres Friday, June 3, 2022 on Apple TV+,
with each new episode arriving every Friday throughout the Summer.
Season One of Apple TV+’s PHYSICAL took us on a journey with Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne) battling her inner-demons, but also finding success on her own in the ’80s. The Series is back for a second season, with ten brand-new episodes! Season Two has Sheila battling loyalty to her husband Danny (Rory Scovel) and also an attraction to someone new. No longer the only one in the fitness game, she finds herself having to dig-in and beat-out the new competition.
Our David Baldwin had the opportunity to sit down and chat with the Cast and Showrunner of PHYSICAL, including:
Annie Weisman comments on the Series’ portrayal of Eating Disorders and Mental Illness, with Sheila going from one addiction to another.
Weisman: “One of our goals of this season was to authentically demonstrate how Eating Disorders are often misunderstood as really being about the disordered eating behaviour itself, and not about the core issues. One of the ways we demonstrated that are how Sheila gains control of her Eating Disorder, but it doesn’t get rid of the core problem and she hops from one addiction to another. We’re being true to the time period in which there’s still so much stigma surrounding Therapy and naming Mental Illness, in women in particular. And it really does take her a long time to have the strength to come forward, and reveal her struggles and seek any kind of help.”
“When we do depict her in the season finally seeking-out help, we also show how radical and out of the mainstream those sources of help were. They really were brand-new.”.
David asks Weisman about the great amount of detail and commitment to the Series being authentically ’80s.
Weisman: “I have the very good fortune of having grown-up in exactly this period of time and place, so one of my many jobs as Showrunner is to oversee choices in terms of style and specificity, but I also work with an incredible Creative Team, who down to every detail, prop and on a large and small scale, ensuring things are period-appropriate. One thing that contributes to the real sense of authenticity in the Show is that we try to depict life as it really is, which is to say that people actually live their lives as an amalgamation of a lot of periods. You’ll see in some people’s homes that things aren’t just from that exact year, you have a lot of the past in there as well. And these characters when we meet them, are kinda living in the past. So you feel that authentic texture of the many decades lived in those spaces. That was important to me as an overall aesthetic.”
“We also shoot with a lens that gives things a bit of a different texture. These lenses give it that feel that you don’t necessarily notice right away, but overall makes it feel like you’re back in time.”
“Music is also a really big part of our storytelling. So it’s important the Music has the regional feel of Southern California at that time. So we start with the textures and sounds of songs that maybe were popular in the time period our characters came of age. So they bring that ’60s Guitar Acoustic sound with them. But then we see it evolve as Sheila gets more into exercise and the ’80s mentality, and you hear the Electronic Music coming in.”.
Rory Scoval‘s Danny while a bit depisable, does have some redeeming qualities, which he tells us about in this upcoming season.
Scoval: “I think there needs to be a little bit of that or else they become this person. Despite their story and situation, you feel this negative thing and are not excited to see them or where they’re at. Even a character like Danny in Season One and especially Two, there has to be a sliver of likability that we can see that a lot of your faults come from a place of insecurity. Then maybe I can relate to that and I don’t think you’re an evil or a bad person – you’ve just got some stuff you’ve got to work out. I think it’s really important and I’m fortunate enough that in Season Two, Danny gets placed in a position to earn that likability that he really does care about his kid and care about being a good dad, his wife and her business succeeding. But he also has to balance-out his ego about it.”.
David asks Scoval talks about the theme of Toxic Masculinity and what he’s learned about it.
Scoval: “Anyone who has an awareness of Toxic Masculinity, you’re kind of aware of it stepping into a Show like this. It’s an opportunity to showcase something like that and the harm it has on people. Movies and Shows give someone a chance to understand what someone is talking about when they are talking about Toxic Masculinity, and they also can show the effects it has on people. I like that I get to step into a role that can showcase something like that, a subject that people do relate to, and they wish people were more aware of.”.
Rose Byrne speaks about her physical preparation for Season Two.
Byrne: “This Season was really interesting because it opened-up the world for a lot of other characters. We explore stuff just outside of Sheila‘s inner-demons this Season. In terms of preparation, what was really great was working with our Choreographer Jen Hamilton, and it’s such a signal of what’s required to becoming the kind of athlete an Aerobics Instructor really is. It’s such high-intensity and Cardio, so I really leaned on her. And Annie Weisman – the Showrunner and Creator – it’s such a deeply-personal story for her. She’s always a touchstone for me just setting the tone, answering all my questions and and questions about the world itself. I love the setting, it’s such a specific time and it’s an immservice job in a way because it’s historical, it adds to the fun of it.”
Byrne and Friel talk about their favourite Costumes and Hairstyles in Season Two.
Byrne: “I can talk about the Costumes all day, that’s our Special Effects. I love it. This Season I wore this dress – lemon yellow and halter-neck, silk cut on the bust – it was just gorgeous with this incredible Veronica-like hair. It was just ’79-’80s.”
Friel: “They built me a bunch of dresses this year. Ernesto (Costume Department) was like, ‘You’re rich, San Diego”. They built me this gold Brocade sort of dress – gold and black – gave me a red lip and it was so pretty.”.
Friel talks about Body Image and navigating this industry.
Friel: “As a plus-size woman in the industry, it can be challenging. The way I look can often be the point of me being there, and not always in a positive light. It’s challenging and wears down at you. Even if you leave your work at work, it can sometimes seep-in.”
“I’m grateful the way we’re talking about this though. We’re talking about Eating Disorders in a way that’s never been talked about.”.
Critics’ Choice Award Winner Murray Bartlett has had quite a run with his recent scene-stealking work, including The White Lotus and now his role as charismatic Fitness Instructor Vinnie, joining the Cast. David asks him about what draws him to Vinnie.
Bartlett: “I guess I’m just naturally a Scene-Stealer (laughs). I think these characters are really beautifully-written. I feel like I’ve been very fortunate in The White Lotus that Mike White wrote this incredibly-complicated, fantastic character. Similarly on this Show, Annie Weisman has created this amazing Character. I feel like I’m just sorta connecting-the-dots in terms of what they’ve written. I love playing a compelx character and I feel like these characters are created in that way you get to fully explore the aspects of these characters. I got lucky and I’m really enjoying what I’m doing at the moment. These characters don’t fall on your lap every day. A lot of my work has been done for me and I just try to have a great time and find the nuances in them. I hope I’m not too distracting!”.
Bartlett is asked about how hard it is to identify with his larger-than-life Character.
Bartlett: “I think it’s harder to watch yourself do these kind of characters. As an Actor it’s easier to watch something closer to yourself because you can just keep-check of whether or not you’re being honest. With these characters, it can be difficult to watch because you can be, ‘Oh! What is happening?’, even though there’s an enormous amount of joy in playing these kind of characters.”
“We’re in this bizaare time that can feel overwhelming what’s happening in the world. To play a character that is fully-expressed and giving vent to whatever trauma they’re going through, or demons they’re battling, or even to commit to something obsessively, is somehow therapeutic and a great release. I wonder whether that has anything to these type of characters bubbling-up.”.
Season Two of PHYSICAL arrives June 3, 2022 on Apple TV+.
(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)
Season Five of CARPOOL KARAOKE: THE SERIES delivers just the hits! And Toronto’s own Simu Liu even appears this season! Here’s a new Teaser.
Synopsis:
Each episode of “Carpool Karaoke: The Series” features celebrities sharing a car, singing along to their personal playlists, and embarking on adventures. Season five kicks off with Simu Liu and Jessica Henwick; “The White Lotus” costars Murray Bartlett, Alexandra Daddario and Sydney Sweeney; Anitta and Saweetie; Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott, who first met on “Carpool Karaoke”; the stars of All Elite Wrestling; and the D’Amelio family.
Season Five of “Carpool Karaoke: The Series” premieres with six episodes on Friday, May 27, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)
The 2019 Inside Out LGBTQ Film Festival officially is in high-gear having kicked-off last Thursday, May 23, 2019 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. This 29th edition of the Festival, the third most popular Film Festival in Toronto continues seeing a boost in profile, hosting premieres for several buzzed titles including Elton John Biopic ROCKETMAN opening in theatres this weekend, Mindy Kaling-penned and starring LATE NIGHT, Mike Doyle‘s SELL BY, a Documentary about Cult Classic Showgirls, YOU DON’T NOMI and among others, Armistead Maupin‘s TALES OF THE CITY, which premieres on Netflix June 7th.
Showrunner Lauren Morelli (Orange is the New Black) and stars including our v. own Paul Gross (Due South) and Murray Bartlett (Looking) came out for a day of Press in support of the series revival, visiting many stop-offs around the City including CP24 Breakfast, Breakfast Television and The Morning Show. They also treated Inside Out attendees with a special appearance at the screening for the Series and walked the Festival’s signature Rainbow Carpet.
This latest incarnation of the Series picks-up 20 years after where the boundary-pushing 1993 PBS Series left off with Mary Ann Singleton (Laura Linney) returning to 28 Barbary Lane to varying reactions, reuniting with her estranged daughter Shawna played by another Canadian talent, Ellen Page. Larger than life Anna Madrigal is reprised by Olympia Dukakis.
Gross, who starred in the original Series returns as Brian Hawkins and Bartlett stars as Mouse. More on the Series here.
See the Trailer:
See some Snaps – Murray Bartlett, Lauren Morelli + Paul Gross (left to right):
Inside Out runs through Sunday, June 2, 2019. More on the Festival here.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix/Mr. Will Wong)
I am absolutely unafraid to admit that HBO‘s LOOKING is my newest Guilty Pleasure. As its first Season reached a half-way point this weekend, I look forward with a bit of sadness that there are only a few more weeks till it concludes. And then comes an excruciating wait for another Season. Hopefully.
The Premise is simple, but there are so many, many rich unafraid-to-go-there layers in this Series from Creator Michael Lannan. Set in San Francisco, we get an honest look at the lives of three Gay Men: Patrick (Jonathan Groff), Agustín (Frankie J. Alvarez) and Dom (Murray Bartlett). If this were Sex and the City, Patrick – a Video Game Developer looking for love – certainly would be our Carrie. Agustín – a coupled Artist amidst a bit of a creative Dry Spell – and Dom – a Waiter aspiring to embark once again as a Restauranteur after a big disappointment – don’t so clearly fit the archetypes of Samantha, Miranda nor Charlotte, but as the Series gets rolling, we get the feeling big changes are about to take place for both of them. We can’t wait to see what happens next and we have a feeling there might be a bit of trouble. The knowing glances we get from our three Leading Men capture so subtly that unique dynamic among Gay Men of perhaps once being potential Lovers before deciding ultimately to be Friends.
Fans of GLEE and FROZEN will feel a sense of familiarity with Groff who has starred in both, the latter still freezing its position near the top of the Box Office, and he is just really, really good here. He owns it as a picky, fumbling Patrick, constantly reminding us the importance of using a filter when we speak, but we are with him every step of the way watching him redeem himself each time.
In one super-awkward moment in the Series’ third Episode he hits-on Kevin (Russell Tovey), whom we later learn actually is his soon-to-be Boss. Raúl Castillo plays Richie, whom Patrick meets on the Subway and we become enamoured at first glance. Did I mention, the Cast is heartbreakingly-handsome?
If that weren’t enough, the amazing Scott Bakula also stars in the Series as a Floral Shop Owner, Lynn. We meet him in a towel only in a Steam Room with Dom. Yes, I just said Scott Bakula and Steam Room in one sentence.
LOOKING looks and feels like San Francisco, taking us away for 30 minutes to another place every time. The eclectic Electronic-Pop selections also are just pitch-perfect. While most eyes are on HBO‘s Runaway Hit TRUE DETECTIVE right now, this new Comedy Series certainly isn’t to be ignored.
Anyhow, I’ll let you Wongsters discover LOOKING on your own. It airs Sunday nights on HBO Canada at 10:30 PM EST.
Some of the more memorable moments thus far:
Patrick (Jonathan Groff) hitting-on eventual Boss Kevin (Russell Tovey)
Patrick (Jonathan Groff) meets Richie (Raúl Castillo)
Official Artwork:
(Photo credit: HBO)
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