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HBO options a sexually charged series from Oprah's production companyIt looks like Oprah is trading in her Angel Network for something a bit more seedy. The media mogul is teaming with HBO to executive produce the pilot for a series described by Variety as “a sexually charged hour-long series pilot about a woman who leaves her seemingly perfect marriage and children in Santa Monica for the underbelly of L.A., where she indulges her secret fantasies and desires.” The pilot will be written by Erin Cressida Wilson, the genius behind 2002’s Secretary, in which Maggie Gyllenhaal was hired on as James Spader's sexually submissive office worker. For those of you who haven’t seen it, rent it. Of course, be forewarned that anything starring James Spader within the last 10 to 15 years will most certainly be twisted. Erin Cressida Wilson Erin has also written for Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus and Chloe. Oprah’s right-hand woman over at Harpo Films, Kate Forte, came up with the idea for the series. "It is unsentimental and pretty shocking, and there is something complicated and destructive driving her," Forte said. "It is literally a day at the pool, where she gets up, in sarong and flip-flops, and walks out of her life, leaving everyone behind so abruptly that her husband and kids initially think she's been kidnapped or murdered." Kate Forte To me this sounds like a combo of a Lifetime Television for Women movie, Snapped and Californication, which, in my eyes, is an obvious recipe for success. If Oprah’s fans are willing to follow her anywhere, they should probably start trading in their cardigans and sweater sets for fishnets and lace. Submitted by on November 24, 2009 - 12:00pm. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Hi Kate Forte
Fascinating.
What fantasies?
what kind of fantasies? I have my own that would blow the tube! Why don't they contact me..
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English culture is basically homosexual in the sense that what the men really care about is the other men. Germaine Greer
Excellent. The Oprah angle
Excellent. The Oprah angle makes it a bit iffy but I love Secretary, and I hope Wilson writes more than just the pilot.
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"If you're wondering how he eats and breathes / And other science facts / Then repeat to yourself 'It's just a show, / I should really just relax."
E.C.W.
Glad to See Oprah's Got Some Balls
This is great news on so many levels.
One, obviously, Secretary, though you could have mentioned that the film is based on a powerful short story by Mary Gaitskill. Everyone NEEDS to read her, if unfamiliar. She's as good as Jeanette Winterson but different, darker, less mythic but no less provocative or beautiful.
Two, Oprah busting outta the status-quo box. I like edgy. If Oprah likes edgy, then that brings me to ...
Three, Oprah, HBO and SHOWTIME all pushing boundaries with hard-hitting (and entertaining!) explorations of complex sexual behavior. That's exactly what I do in... (shameless plug ALERT) "badbadbad," a post-pulp novel where sex, God and rock 'n' roll meet the social Web and "roleplay is a dangerous game when you don't know who you are." So yeah, I'm encouraged.
My questions for Oprah, HBO, SHOWTIME and all readers of this story: Is there such a thing as sexual morality? What does intimacy look like in a culture of violence, hypocrisy and e-communication? What's the line between self-destruction and redemption?
I don't pretend to know the answers, but I think the questions are worth asking. The answers can't all be badbadbad, eh?
www.badbadbad.net
Secretary
What she said!
Ginger