Eight-episode Series PAM & TOMMY thrust its way onto our radar the moment we saw that first look photo of Lily James transforming amazingly into a dead-ringer for Pamela Anderson. Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya, Disney’s Cruella) once again brings us a fascinating glimpse into the world of a misunderstood heroine and we’re here for it.
The ’90s-set Series is very intentional in its nostalgic references, whether it be in its Soundtrack, or keen attention to details in set decor and costumes. Just as many of us were getting our first dial-up modem and signing-up for our first e-mail addresses in the mid-90s, it was impossible to avoid the controversy of Mötley Crüe Drummer Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan) and Pamela Anderson‘s Sex Tape Scandal. The VHS tape, recorded during the former couple’s honeymoon, was stolen by Rand Gauthier (Seth Rogen), a spiteful electrician owed money by Lee, who had been hired to do some renovation work in their home. Gauthier then began reproducing copies of the tape for sale, before things got out of hand, the tape continued to get pirated and surfaced online before Lee and Anderson even knew how to long onto the internet.
James is just superb as Anderson, really embodying her as a woman in love who wants nothing more than to be a mom, an Actress determined to advance her career, and when probed indignantly about her sexual past. All this, while being the blonde bombshell in a bikini whom America loved. Whether she is tilting her head up defensively or cautiously looking backwards at fans crowding around her, we believe every second that she is Anderson. Stan while given less to work with as the clueless Lee, gives it his all still and is in on the joke and all of Lee‘s absurdities. Similar can be said about Rogen, who is cast well as our eyes and ears into Pam & Tommy‘s world, but also acting often before thinking.
One thing we were fearful of with PAM & TOMMY was that it was taking the couple’s misfortune for the sake of entertainment. After all, wasn’t it enough that they had to go through it all once? Much of the earlier part of the Series has us being annoyed at the hormone-charged escapades between the couple, them oblivious to much else other than themselves. We also get to know Gauthier and establishing the motives for doing what he did. To be frank, these parts could have been condensed into an episode or two.
Where PAM & TOMMY truly takes flight is where we see Gauthier begin to face the consequences of his actions, not exactly getting rewarded for his “big business venture”. Writer Robert D. Siegel explores the impacts of this tape on the couple’s marriage and more so on Anderson‘s career. She seemed to be on the brink of something huge. No disrespect to her legacy. The Series examines gender double standards and how Anderson bears the weight of scrutiny and judgment as a woman, and also the question of consent which still bears just as much today in 2022 as it did when this controversy surfaced. In looking back at it all through fresh lens, we hope viewers not only see the Series as entertaining and often comical, but that what had taken place was a crime with lasting impacts.
PAM & TOMMY streams on Star, via Disney+ February 2, 2022.
We are way excited for this! Love seeing Sebastian Stan and Lily James transform completely as Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee in one of the biggest scandals of the late ’90s! See the new Teaser for PAM & TOMMY!
Synopsis:
Set in the Wild West early days of the Internet, “Pam & Tommy” is based on the incredible true story of the Pamela Anderson (Lily James, “Yesterday”) and Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan, “The Falcon & the Winter Soldier”) sex tape. Stolen from the couple’s home by a disgruntled contractor (Seth Rogen, “Long Shot”), the video went from underground bootleg-VHS curiosity to full-blown global sensation when it hit the Web in 1997. A love story, crime caper and cautionary tale rolled into one, the eight-part original limited series explores the intersection of privacy, technology and celebrity, tracing the origins of our current Reality TV Era to a stolen tape seen by millions but meant to have an audience of just two.
“Pam & Tommy” is executive produced by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Alex McAtee at Point Grey, and Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle and Ali Krug at Annapurna. The series is written by executive producers Rob Siegel and DV DeVincentis, and directed by executive producer Craig Gillespie. Dylan Sellers, Dave Franco, Chip Vucelich and Sarah Gubbins also serve as executive producers.
The drama series premieres with three episodes on February 2, 2022 on Disney+ under the Star banner. New episodes stream weekly.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
Disney+ has confirmed today that some exciting new Series are coming to STAR (on Disney+) including ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and PAM & TOMMY! More details below:
Dopesick
From Executive Producer Danny Strong and starring and executive produced by Michael Keaton, “Dopesick” examines how one company triggered the worst drug epidemic in American history. The series takes viewers to the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, from the boardrooms of Purdue Pharma, to a distressed Virginia mining community, to the hallways of the DEA. The unsparing yet deeply human portraits of the various families affected by Oxycontin addiction and their intersecting stories hold up a mirror to this American tragedy, while shining a hopeful light on the heroes battling the craven corporate forces behind this national crisis. The limited series is inspired by the New York Times bestselling book by Beth Macy.
“Dopesick” is written by Emmy winner Danny Strong and directed by Oscar winner Barry Levinson. Executive producers include Danny Strong, John Goldwyn, Barry Levinson, Warren Littlefield, Beth Macy and Karen Rosenfelt. The limited series is based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name by Beth Macy, coming to Hulu from 20th Television and The Littlefield Company. The series stars Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker with Kaitlyn Dever and Rosario Dawson.
Immigrant (2022)
“Immigrant” is the true story of Somen “Steve” Banerjee (played by Nanjiani), the Indian-American entrepreneur who started Chippendales. The series will detail the insane, darkly comedic, crime-ridden story behind the unique male revue that became a cultural phenomenon.
Only Murders in The Building (August 31, 2021)
From the minds of Steve Martin, Dan Fogelman and John Hoffman comes a comedic murder-mystery series for the ages. “Only Murders in the Building” follows three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. As they record a podcast of their own to document the case, the three unravel the complex secrets of the building which stretch back years. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living amongst them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late.
Pam & Tommy (2022)
“Pam & Tommy” is a limited series based on the true story behind the release of the first ever viral video in history — the sex tape of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. The series brings a new perspective to the scandal that changed the course of celebrity culture.
(Photo credit: Disney+)
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