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Home » Interview With Eileen Gallagher

Interview With Eileen Gallagher

by
LeeAnn Kriegh
, Contributing Writer
June 29, 2008

I don't think it really works — and no one would ever suggest — that we Americanize the actual, same scripts. That doesn't work. I think as long as the soul of the show is there, with the main characters and stories, and the tone is right, then I think that Nancy and Raelle will put their own great spin on it.

AE: You've said before that Shed has "a moral edge." What does that mean, and what in particular does it mean in relation to Bad Girls?
EG: Well, it was very important to us that we portrayed two things. First, there's a prison issue, and our political view is that there are far too many women in prison. Most women are not in for violent crimes. Most women are victims of their partnerships, their often-violent partnerships with their husbands. I'm not saying they're all great, good girls, but they're generally more victims than male prisoners. So we try to humanize the women and portray them with their good and bad sides.

Our ambition was to give people a more enlightened view about the imprisonment of women. I don't think it particularly worked, because in our country we're imprisoning more women than we've ever imprisoned, although I think the sentiment is growing that it's probably a daft thing to do; it's not sensible. But still at this stage we can't claim to have changed anything.

So there was that and also, obviously, the lesbian agenda for us is very important — the fact that the love story was one where any audience would like Nikki and Helen. You have to be very prejudiced not to like them and their story and feel for their predicament. That was very important to us, and we felt really proud that we had a lesbian love story on for 39 hours in peak time. I like to think it changed attitudes.

AE: At the same time, you're the CEO of a multimillion-dollar organization, and you're responsible to your shareholders. You must struggle at times to balance those two things. You have a profit-making agenda, and yet you're also pursuing creative work that has a moral agenda.
EG: There's no conflict there at all, really. We make programs that we like to watch, and I think as long as you continue to do that, there will be an audience there. That's a commercially smart thing to do, as well as emotionally and morally smart. As soon as you start making programs you don't like yourself — as soon as you say to yourself, "I won't watch this, but they will" — then you're down the right track. It won't be good. The chances are it will be rubbish.

AE: I want to back up for a minute: I understand the initial idea for Bad Girls was yours. Is that right?
EG: I think Maureen Chadwick and myself kind of share the honors in terms of the original idea. I started work as a broadcaster, and I don't know if you remember there was a drama called Prisoner Cellblock H. Do you remember that?

AE: I didn't see it, but I've heard of it.
EG: It was very Augustinian. Even 20 years ago, it was 20 years old [laughs], but when we moved it in the schedule, it caused a huge outcry, and this was a late-night program. It lodged in my memory that there's a great demand and following for prison dramas. It had lesbian story lines and it was really in many ways was ahead of its time. I watched it, and all my university chums watched it, and I always thought when I was working that I'd love to make a really good women's prison drama.

AE: And then the four of you came together to work on the show.
EG: Right, Ann McManus, Maureen Chadwick, Brian Park and myself invented the characters. You've probably heard or saw it on the website that we went to Italy together, and the first week we drew up the characters, and the second week we drew up the main story arcs. Those initial ideas are very close to what eventually came on stage. It's amazing, really.

The cast of the British Bad Girls

AE: Do you ever sit back and laugh, thinking of how far you've come and how far Shed has come?
EG: We are very, very proud. We're a profitable company with offices in L.A. and London, and we're about to open another office in Scotland. We're making a new drama up there called Hope Springs, which is another female-led drama, and there's a lesbian character in it — not that we're obsessed [laughs].

So, do we ever sit back and laugh? Yes, we do. We sit back and laugh with a glass of wine and think, my God, how did we manage this?

But you know, there's nothing I'm prouder of — it's great building a company, it's great employing lots of people, it's great floating it — but when you get right down to it, what I'm really, really proud of is entertaining people in a way that means something. When I was a child, I loved television, and I really looked forward to seeing certain dramas. Sadly, there were never any lesbian characters in them [laughs], but some dramas kind of spoke to me. I watched Lou Grant, and I became a journalist because I loved Lou Grant.

I just really like the idea that people look forward to our dramas coming on-screen, and they settle down and watch them. I'm so proud that we can entertain people — that's certainly worth a glass of wine.

Nancy Oliver and Raelle Tucker are expected to write the pilot episode for the American version of Bad Girls later this year. The original British version of Bad Girls can currently be seen in the U.S. on Logo.

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Cat's picture

Fabulous

Submitted by
Cat (21 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 12:48am.

What a fabulous interview.  It actually answered some of the questions that I've long held about the original series...like the fact that it was Simone Lahbib who wanted to leave (not that I in any way hold that against her) and that the producers thought about carrying on with the Nikki Wade character but realised they couldn't do it justice to just have her with no Helen.

Of course, as much as I wanted to see more of the characters, I'm glad it ended the way it did and that they got their happy ended.  I've always thought that if they'd continued on in the show, the fact that it was a drama would have necessitated there be problems between them, which would have been kind of sad.

As a huge fan of the UK series of Bad Girls, I can't wait to see how the US version pans out.  For my money, I hope it's a roaring success and I hope that the writers stay true to the characters, if not to the storylines themselves.  It will be interesting to see how they tweak it to make it better.  I know that I have personal opinions about things I'd like to see done differently and it will be wonderful if it does go for more than three years and we get to see what the producers will do next with Helen and Nikki (seeing we already got our happy ending in the original).

Thanks LeeAnn and AE for a great interview.  You made my Monday.

Cat

notshane's picture

What a coup!

Submitted by
notshane (333 posts)
on June 29, 2008 - 11:37pm.

Wow, getting an interview with the CEO of Shed Productions that created Bad Girls. Brilliant. Great interview. Such an inspiration.

Don't know how you did it. But it does demonsttrate the increasing visibility and clout of AE. Congratulations.

Lifer's picture

LOVE BAD GIRLS

Submitted by
Lifer (8 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 12:07am.

 

I would love to see an American version of Bad Girls but am weary of it.  Most likely it will be a dissapointment.  The English version was SO GREAT !  Hard to improve on it.

 

Anyone iterested in Zodiac designs ... go here...    http://www.zazzle.com/zodiacfun

Lifer 

 

onemorehour's picture

yay!

Submitted by
onemorehour (196 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 12:10am.
i'm so excited about this- especially hearing alan ball is involved! if there's a god in heaven, leisha hailey or mia kirshner will be cast as prisoners.
FreewheelNat's picture

Great interview! I've

Submitted by
FreewheelNat (120 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 3:05am.

Great interview!

I've never actually watched Bad Girls but reading this interview makes me want to watch it! I was vaguely aware of a lesbian storyline but I never realised it lasted for 3 whole seasons!

I'm with onemorehour on this, it'd be great if they cast Mia in it :)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Taking off - the novel, coming soon. Starring Katie, a lesbian in London...

In the meanwhile, you can read reviews of films and books with lesbian/bi characters and/or taking place in London at www.takingoff.org

Caroline's picture

Love it

Submitted by
Caroline (75 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 5:14am.

I've been a fan of Bad Girls for years, and I have the first 6 series on DVD. =)
I'm a little apprehensive of the American version though. I'm not a fan of remakes, but I guess it'll be interesting to see how they do it.
Hopefully I'll find some way to see it over here though.

Extra Flamey's picture

*Series 8 Spoiler Alert * I

Submitted by
Extra Flamey (9 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 5:50am.
*Series 8 Spoiler Alert * I just hope that if they DO remake / revisit some of the storylines from the UK version, and choose to include the Pat / Sheena relationship, they won't screw it up. I'm almost at the end of Series 8 at the moment, and i just can't believe that their storyline, which was really touching and well-played by Liz May Brice and Laura Rogers,  ended the way it did.  I thought it was sloppy and lazy, which is surprising coming from a series that has (mostly!) given us solid character development and well-written plotlines.
Extra Flamey's picture

By the way...

Submitted by
Extra Flamey (9 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 6:06am.
... great interview - thanks! I always enjoy reading interviews with the creative people who work so hard behind the scenes of my fave tv shows and movies. Of course I am extremly curious to see how Bad Girls Version America will work out - Looking forward to it muchly.
allthings's picture

Brilliant interview

Submitted by
allthings (33 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 6:33am.

I couldn't agree more with Cat. I'm so excited about more Helen and Nikki and more Bad Girls!  And even though I would love to see Simone and Mandana back together on the screen, I know realistically that's not going to happen.  So I'm more than willing to give some new actresses the chance to attempt to match the chemistry and incredible acting skills of the lovely Ms. Lahbib and Ms. Jones.  I just hope Scribegrrrl will come out of retirement and do the recaps!!! Anyone second that?!?  

 

"I have never been seen except in glimpses of my dreams
But you're waiting here in the wings and I'm speechless."  Doris Muramatsu (Girlyman)

"There is no land but the land. There is no sea but the sea." Patti

wicketcat's picture

Scribegrrrl Recaps

Submitted by
wicketcat (19 posts)
on July 7, 2008 - 6:32am.
Yeah, second that ALLTHINGS - I'd already seen the first 3 series by the time the US caught up and she MADE the recaps - cummon grrrl - throw us a bone and sign on ! From an Australian persepective, I hope they can write as well as the original Bad Girls - and casting is going to be the key - will lightning strike twice on camera for Helen & Nikki ?? & lets see how the Kath & Kim remake goes too .....
Penny Winterr's picture

Great Interview!

Submitted by
Penny Winterr (729 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 7:06am.
I am totally open to this, want it to succeed, and I just hope they pull a coup with the casting and get very charismatic actors.  That's what will rope me in.  Just like it did with the original series.  I think the storylines are secondary, because I can watch a good actor clip his/her nails and find it interesting if they have enough charisma.
kerplunksky's picture

Fantastic interview! 

Submitted by
kerplunksky (59 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 7:52am.

Fantastic interview!  Thanks AE. 

I'm always dubious about remakes of US or UK shows on either side of the pond but hopefully the connections with the original creators will help US Bad Girls be a success.

I found a few links about the new show Hope Springs which sounds like it could be great and judging by past performance, promises of a lesbian character should hold up unlike many shows these days that never deliver on their promises:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/01_january/14/hope.shtml

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jun/30/bbc.independentproductioncompanies?gusrc=rss&feed=media 

Quirky Koala's picture

Just hope

Submitted by
Quirky Koala (117 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 9:12am.

IMO there are two Bad Girls - season 1-4 and season 5+

It started off really gritty and actually highlighting the plight of women in prison and even had the backing of the Home Office (the organisation responisble for the UK prison service) but as the seasons went on and the show became more popular it seemed to desend into a soap opera. Don't get me wrong, I liked all seasons of the show, I just loved the first seasons better.

I understand that it was a TV show and it needed drama but there is only so far it could go without being silly. I worked in a prison in the UK at the time so maybe I had a better insite than most people but having someone break out of a high security prison once a season is ridiculus, the prison that I worked in (which was also high security) had one breakout in the last 15 years and was considered shoddy.

What I wanted to say in this post was that I hope the American version has the edginess and grit of the first seasons of the UK version and I hope it sticks with them rather than mellowing out and going for drama and campness.

ahill's picture

Less gloss, more grit

Submitted by
ahill (55 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 9:50am.

I'm about half way through season 8 and wondering what the hell happened to Di.  You can't just have a main character like that disappear.  Bollix!!! 

The thing I love the most is how real the women on Bad Girls look.  That's the biggest turn-off with the L-word for me.  Those actresses are so young and glam they might as well be from another planet.  Bollix!!!  So I really hope the American version casts some older, fatter, grittier looking women. 

invisicoll's picture

Great interview

Submitted by
invisicoll (33 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 10:00am.

You certainly asked all the right questions and Eileen has all the right answers. 

Thanks.

tellofilms 's picture

Crossing the pond

Submitted by
tellofilms (137 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 11:01am.

I totally agree that "The Office" has been the most successful show that has crossed over and "Americanized". I'm so glad that was the example Eileen Gallagher used because if they keep that in mind this will be a successful show!

Check out and upload great lesbian videos on www.tellofilms.com

7Up's picture

Thank You Eileen Gallagher!!!

Submitted by
7Up (640 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 12:06pm.

I started watching Bad Girls on Youtube and never became so addicted to a series in my life. I even bought a portable international dvd player so I could order Season's 2 and 3 from the UK. This was a couple years back, obviously, before Logo began to air the series.

I am so undeniably happy that HBO is on the task here in the US. Still it will be really difficult to accept another Helen and Nikki, as Eileen mentions, especially if the actors aren't chosen brilliantly (I wouldn't want the script to be undermined).

It's just that Simone and Mandana were completely brilliant!!!! I hope beyond all hope that the casting of the Helen and Nikki characters is as unfathomably perfect as it was in the UK!

I think we should begin throwing around ideas for actresses, what about everyone else?

lann88's picture

absolutely

Submitted by
lann88 (62 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 11:52pm.

I agree with everrything you said here. Perfect.

1- addicted like crack

2- so incredibly happy

3- obsessed with Simone and Mandana

notshane's picture

If americanisation of Bad Girls

Submitted by
notshane (333 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 1:44pm.

means the likes of Leisha Hailey & Mia Kurshner get parts in it. It'll be an almighty flop. As someone said, the UK Bad Girls worked so well because the characters were realistic and gritty. Stick thin wimpy actresses like Leisha & Mia would not give any authenticity to the show.

Hmmm, I wonder which current actresses would be well cast for the show. Now maybe Gina Gershon, Lena Headey (unfortunately she's in another series), Katee Sackhoff...(now that's one tough cookie who could hold her own in a prison)...who else... Jennifer Beals would make a good governer of the prison :) How about Queen Latifah? (not sure she'd do TV)

That's for starters...anyone else?

7Up's picture

hmmm

Submitted by
7Up (640 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 8:32pm.

I think Lena Heady would be rocking!!!!! She can play it real and gritty like in Band of Gold or Aberdeen!

Gina Gershon isn't a favorite, however, I think she could play one of the less essential characters farely well. Queen Latifah could rock it for sure! I'm over Jennifer Beals, or maybe Bett...

cogent53's picture

Prisoner Cell Block H!

Submitted by
cogent53 (69 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 6:45pm.

So glad Eileen mentioned Prisoner Cell Blcok H - I just loved that show. My first women in prison love! I used to get my parents to send me video tapes of it when I was in college!

 

Bad Girls was a great show. The mix of drama and comedy was brilliant. Can't wait to see the US version of Bodybag!!

7Up's picture

Actresses I could imagine in a prison series for HBO

Submitted by
7Up (640 posts)
on June 30, 2008 - 9:13pm.

Actresses I could imagine in a prison series for HBO as either inmates, gaurds or guest appearances.... depending on the character storylines, etc...

Lena Heady, Lili Taylor, Ellen Page, Ally Sheedy, Michelle Rodriguez, Christina Ricci, Rachel Griffith, Jorja Fox, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Pink, Drea de Matteo, Molly Parker, Amy Madigan, Isabella Leong, Ganine Garofalo, Juliette Lewis, Zoe Deschanel, Clea Duvall, Hilary Swank, Queen Latifah, Jasmin Tabatabai, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Kyra Sedgwick, Toni Collette, Mia Kirshner, Sanaa Lathan, Kate Winslet, Rose Rollins, Holly Hunter, Mary Louise Parker, Rachel Weisz, Jill Bennett...

Can't you just see Clancy Brown as Jim Fenner!!! AGGG!!!

geekychic's picture

Prisoner Cell Block H

Submitted by
geekychic (11 posts)
on July 1, 2008 - 2:25am.

OOh do I remember that show. Watching it secretly,up late at night,  hovering in front of the tv, ready to leap and change the channel should my parents walk in to the living room.

No remote control, basic tv channels.

Am I dating myself? Ha

 

 

7Up's picture

Actresses

Submitted by
7Up (640 posts)
on July 1, 2008 - 9:25am.

Lena Heady as a Zandra type (or the junkie character)!!!!!!  (She'd rock this role!!!!!)

Lili Taylor as a Denny or an Al McKenzie or Tina Purvis type

Jorga Fox as a prison gaurd

Michelle Rodriguez as a Pat Kerrigan type

Molly Parker as a Monica Lindsay or a Viginia O'Kane type

Christina Ricci as a Tina or Maxi Purvis type

Juliette Lewis as a two Julies or a Rachel Hicks type

Rachel Griffith as a Rosin Connor or a Cassie Tyler or a Lou Stokes or a prison guard type

Drea de Matteo as a Shell or a Karen Betts or a Snowball type

Amy Madigan as a Gina Rossi or a Di Barker or a Barbara Hunt type

Mia Kirshner as a Buki type

Queen Latifah as a prison guard

Toni Collette as a Di Barker or a Lorna Rose type

Ally Sheedy as an older junky or a Pat Kerrigan type

Sanaa Lathan as a Crystal Gordon type

Ellen Page as a Shaz or a Rachel Hicks type

 

 

HotHandle's picture

The return of G Wing...

Submitted by
HotHandle (251 posts)
on July 1, 2008 - 2:34pm.

What is really going to make the American version of "Bad Girls" work is the right casting, good writing, and keeping the good vs. evil dichotomy intact.  The evil Jim Fenner, the toughness of Yvonne, the selfish Bodybags, the willingness to be abused by men Karen, the duplicity of Shell, the coming out of Helen, the persistence of Nikki, the manipulations of Di...  all these character traits must be honored and kept in the HBO version, if the show is to succeed.

Can't wait to hear who is going to be cast to play the main roles.

 

GreyDay's picture

Great Interview

Submitted by
GreyDay (58 posts)
on July 1, 2008 - 5:59pm.

I've never seen the show, but can't wait to take a look.

 

http://RoseRollinsFanBlog.Blogspot.com

bikebizzle's picture

clea as denny???

Submitted by
bikebizzle (4 posts)
on July 1, 2008 - 9:42pm.

I too am ever so excited about the American version of Bad Girls. I got hooked last summer and haven't stopped watching since. Funny how a ten year old show has held on for so long, a tribute to it's effect on the masses, straight or gay.

I agree that the casting (as well as writing of course) will be key to the American versions' success. I personally can see Clea DuVall as a gritty version of Denny, neck tatto and all.

I simply can't wait!!!!!

glenloi's picture

fantasy casting

Submitted by
glenloi (1 post)
on July 13, 2008 - 5:42pm.
How exciting, great interview. I've gotten into many excellent discussions about who should play Helen & Nikki in a re-make or screen version. How about Sandra Bullock for Nikki and Selma Heyak for Helen?

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