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, âWelcome to Chippendalesâ tells the outrageous story of Somen âSteveâ Banerjee, an Indian immigrant who became the unlikely founder of the worldâs greatest male-stripping empireâand let nothing stand in his way in the process.
âWelcome to Chippendalesââ star-studded cast includes Kumail Nanjiani (âThe Big Sickâ), Murray Bartlett (âThe White Lotusâ), Juliette Lewis (âYellowjacketsâ) and Annaleigh Ashford (âAmerican Crime Storyâ), with recurring guest stars Quentin Plair (âThe Good Lord Birdâ), Robin de JesĂşs (âtick, tick⌠BOOM!â), and Andrew Rannells (âGirls5evaâ), along with guest stars Nicola Peltz Beckham (âHolidateâ) and Dan Stevens (âGaslitâ).
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+)
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