Editor’s Note: This interview was coordinated with Taffy Brodesser-Akner directly, in accordance with the rules of the Writers Guild of America strike, which began on May 2.
Welcome to It’s a Hit! In this series, IndieWire speaks to creators and showrunners behind a few of our favorite television programs about the moment they realized their show was breaking big.
Creator and showrunner Taffy Brodesser-Akner jokingly compared her FX limited series “Fleishman Is in Trouble,” an adaptation of her own novel, to “The Ring”: “You show it to someone and they have one week to live or they die if they don’t pass it on.”
While her 2019 literary debut — about an NYC doctor losing contact with his assiduous ex-wife and his journalist friend bearing witness to his co-parenting emergency — was a New York Times bestseller, she described its success as more of a slow burn that mirrored how...
Welcome to It’s a Hit! In this series, IndieWire speaks to creators and showrunners behind a few of our favorite television programs about the moment they realized their show was breaking big.
Creator and showrunner Taffy Brodesser-Akner jokingly compared her FX limited series “Fleishman Is in Trouble,” an adaptation of her own novel, to “The Ring”: “You show it to someone and they have one week to live or they die if they don’t pass it on.”
While her 2019 literary debut — about an NYC doctor losing contact with his assiduous ex-wife and his journalist friend bearing witness to his co-parenting emergency — was a New York Times bestseller, she described its success as more of a slow burn that mirrored how...
- 8/22/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Jim Parsons stars as Michael Ausiello in director Michael Showalter’s Spoiler Alert, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. Peacock has announced Focus Features’ Spoiler Alert will stream exclusively on Peacock starting Feb.3. Spoiler Alert is the latest addition to Peacock’s growing library of iconic films, including TÁR, Violent Night, She Said, Ticket to Paradise, Bros, Nope, Mid-Century, The Silent Twins and Halloween Ends. https://www.peacocktv.com/collections/must-see-movies-on-peacock Based on Michael Ausiello’s best-selling memoir, Spoiler Alert is a heartwarming, funny, and life-affirming story that follows the 14-year love affair between entertainment journalist Michael (Jim Parsons) and his photographer partner, Kit (Ben Aldridge). Through Kit, Michael discovers the family he was robbed of as a child, from Kit’s small town parents (Sally Field and Bill Irwin) to their extraordinary circle of Manhattan friends. And while Michael imagines his life unfolding like the...
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. Peacock has announced Focus Features’ Spoiler Alert will stream exclusively on Peacock starting Feb.3. Spoiler Alert is the latest addition to Peacock’s growing library of iconic films, including TÁR, Violent Night, She Said, Ticket to Paradise, Bros, Nope, Mid-Century, The Silent Twins and Halloween Ends. https://www.peacocktv.com/collections/must-see-movies-on-peacock Based on Michael Ausiello’s best-selling memoir, Spoiler Alert is a heartwarming, funny, and life-affirming story that follows the 14-year love affair between entertainment journalist Michael (Jim Parsons) and his photographer partner, Kit (Ben Aldridge). Through Kit, Michael discovers the family he was robbed of as a child, from Kit’s small town parents (Sally Field and Bill Irwin) to their extraordinary circle of Manhattan friends. And while Michael imagines his life unfolding like the...
- 1/30/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Jim Parsons stars as Michael Ausiello in director Michael Showalter’s Spoiler Alert, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. In the new film Spoiler Alert, Jim Parsons stars in the real-life role of Michael Ausiello, who wrote the memoir upon which the film is based. Parsons, who is also a producer on the film, told us that Ausiello’s writing style was one of the attributes that drew him to the project — the other being how closely Ausiello’s relationship resembled his own real-life relationship.(Click on the media bar below to hear Jim Parsons) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jim_Parsons_Attracted_to_Spoiler_Alert_.mp3 Spoiler Alert is now playing in selected theaters.
The post Jim Parsons Saw A Kindred Spirit In ‘Spoiler Alert’ Writer appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. In the new film Spoiler Alert, Jim Parsons stars in the real-life role of Michael Ausiello, who wrote the memoir upon which the film is based. Parsons, who is also a producer on the film, told us that Ausiello’s writing style was one of the attributes that drew him to the project — the other being how closely Ausiello’s relationship resembled his own real-life relationship.(Click on the media bar below to hear Jim Parsons) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jim_Parsons_Attracted_to_Spoiler_Alert_.mp3 Spoiler Alert is now playing in selected theaters.
The post Jim Parsons Saw A Kindred Spirit In ‘Spoiler Alert’ Writer appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 12/9/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
4183_D018_00079_RC Bill Irwin stars as Bob, Sally Field as Marilyn, Ben Aldridge as Kit Cowan and Jim Parsons as Michael Ausiello in director Michael Showalter’s Spoiler Alert, a Focus Features release. Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC.
Sure, I know that Valentine’s Day is a couple of months away, but romance can be found, or at least blossom, during the holiday season at year’s end. Plus it’s awards time for the movie studios, so why not release a love story based on an acclaimed recent memoir? And they’re “hedging their bet” since its cast includes a lauded sitcom TV star and a two-time Oscar winner. Plus its director is a friend of the “golden guy” as he’s helped to guide some collaborators to big wins (note the “b” word). Now, I could tell you much more, but that would require a big Spoiler Alert.
Sure, I know that Valentine’s Day is a couple of months away, but romance can be found, or at least blossom, during the holiday season at year’s end. Plus it’s awards time for the movie studios, so why not release a love story based on an acclaimed recent memoir? And they’re “hedging their bet” since its cast includes a lauded sitcom TV star and a two-time Oscar winner. Plus its director is a friend of the “golden guy” as he’s helped to guide some collaborators to big wins (note the “b” word). Now, I could tell you much more, but that would require a big Spoiler Alert.
- 12/6/2022
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Jim Parsons stars as Michael Ausiello in director Michael Showalter’s Spoiler Alert, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. In an interesting twist of fate, Jim Parsons is playing a real-life character who — on many occasions — wrote about Jim Parsons. In the film Spoiler Alert, he stars as journalist Michael Ausiello, who covered Parsons’s The Big Bang Theory on a regular basis for his TVLine.com website. But the film doesn’t focus on his work. Instead, it’s about the relationship between Ausiello and his partner/spouse, who is facing his mortality after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Parsons says the movie, based on Ausiello’s memoir, is an important one because it focuses on a part of humanity that we all have to face. (Click on the media bar below to hear Jim Parsons.) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jim_Parsons_Importance_Spoiler...
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. In an interesting twist of fate, Jim Parsons is playing a real-life character who — on many occasions — wrote about Jim Parsons. In the film Spoiler Alert, he stars as journalist Michael Ausiello, who covered Parsons’s The Big Bang Theory on a regular basis for his TVLine.com website. But the film doesn’t focus on his work. Instead, it’s about the relationship between Ausiello and his partner/spouse, who is facing his mortality after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Parsons says the movie, based on Ausiello’s memoir, is an important one because it focuses on a part of humanity that we all have to face. (Click on the media bar below to hear Jim Parsons.) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jim_Parsons_Importance_Spoiler...
- 12/3/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
They wanted a rom-com. They got a love story.
Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge, and Sally Field star in Spoiler Alert, from the director of The Big Sick. Opens in St. Louis theatres on December 9th.
https://www.focusfeatures.com/spoiler-alert/watch/
Based on Michael Ausiello’s best-selling memoir “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies,” the film is a heartwarming, funny and life-affirming story of how Michael and Kit’s relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them falls ill.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC.
Advance Screening is Wednesday, Dec. 7th at 7pm at Ronnie’s
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed. Rated PG 13.
Enter at the link below.
Sweepstakes Link:
http://focusfeaturesscreenings.com/main/sweepstakes/AeKVT21244...
Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge, and Sally Field star in Spoiler Alert, from the director of The Big Sick. Opens in St. Louis theatres on December 9th.
https://www.focusfeatures.com/spoiler-alert/watch/
Based on Michael Ausiello’s best-selling memoir “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies,” the film is a heartwarming, funny and life-affirming story of how Michael and Kit’s relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them falls ill.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC.
Advance Screening is Wednesday, Dec. 7th at 7pm at Ronnie’s
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed. Rated PG 13.
Enter at the link below.
Sweepstakes Link:
http://focusfeaturesscreenings.com/main/sweepstakes/AeKVT21244...
- 11/30/2022
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Jim Parsons stars as Michael Ausiello in director Michael Showalter’s Spoiler Alert, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. If you’re a fan of television journalism, you’re no doubt familiar with the name Michael Ausiello. For more than two decades, he’s been covering the industry (and providing plenty of spoilers) for the likes of TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, and TVLine.com. But you won’t find his latest project on TV or on his website — it’s a new film, Spoiler Alert, based on the memoir he wrote about life with a terminally ill spouse. Jim Parsons signed on to the project not only as a producer, but also playing Ausiello. When Ausiello first saw Parsons on the set of the film, he told us he really couldn’t believe his eyes. (Click on the media bar below to hear Michael Ausiello) https://www.
Credit: Linda Källérus / © 2022 Focus Features LLC. If you’re a fan of television journalism, you’re no doubt familiar with the name Michael Ausiello. For more than two decades, he’s been covering the industry (and providing plenty of spoilers) for the likes of TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, and TVLine.com. But you won’t find his latest project on TV or on his website — it’s a new film, Spoiler Alert, based on the memoir he wrote about life with a terminally ill spouse. Jim Parsons signed on to the project not only as a producer, but also playing Ausiello. When Ausiello first saw Parsons on the set of the film, he told us he really couldn’t believe his eyes. (Click on the media bar below to hear Michael Ausiello) https://www.
- 11/24/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Jesse Eisenberg as Toby Fleishman and Lizzy Caplan as Libby Epstein in ‘Fleishman Is In Trouble’ (Photo Cr: Linda Kallerus/FX)
Fleishman Is In Trouble author Taffy Brodesser-Akner says one of the biggest challenges in adapting her book for the FX on Hulu limited series was learning to write dialogue rather than lengthy paragraphs. Fortunately, Brodesser-Akner’s a quick learner and had the support of experienced executive producers Sarah Timberman and Susannah Grant while working on her first show.
“When I met Sarah and Susannah, they told me that I was the only person who could write it, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, what if I’m the only person who could write it?’” recalled Brodesser-Akner during a November 2022 press conference. “And that’s how I got to do it, with two people who believed in it and who showed me how you could change just a few words and...
Fleishman Is In Trouble author Taffy Brodesser-Akner says one of the biggest challenges in adapting her book for the FX on Hulu limited series was learning to write dialogue rather than lengthy paragraphs. Fortunately, Brodesser-Akner’s a quick learner and had the support of experienced executive producers Sarah Timberman and Susannah Grant while working on her first show.
“When I met Sarah and Susannah, they told me that I was the only person who could write it, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, what if I’m the only person who could write it?’” recalled Brodesser-Akner during a November 2022 press conference. “And that’s how I got to do it, with two people who believed in it and who showed me how you could change just a few words and...
- 11/12/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Hulu‘s gearing up for a solid month of programming this November as it welcomes several series, holiday titles, and more to its streaming library. From past seasons of former MTV hits such as Punk’d, and True Life to the latest biopic drama series Welcome to Chippendales starring Kumail Nanjiani, the platform has subscribers covered. Alongside films and the debut of FX‘s Hulu exclusive series Fleishman Is in Trouble, there’s plenty to look forward to. Scroll down to see the full roundup of what’s coming and going from the streamer this fall. Fleishman Is in Trouble (Credit: Linda Kallerus/FX) Here’s what’s coming to Hulu in November: November 1 God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty (Hulu Original) America’s Next Top Model: Complete Season 23 (CBS) Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Seasons 11 & 12 (Viacom) Girl Code: Complete Seasons 1 & 2 (Viacom) My Super Sweet 16: Complete Seasons...
- 10/31/2022
- TV Insider
The trailer for FX’s limited series Fleishman Is In Trouble introduces the titular character as a man struggling to understand pretty much everything about his life. The recently divorced father of two has no idea how he got to this place in his life or what to do moving forward. And, as the trailer teases, he’s going to face the added pressure of trying to figure out why his ex-wife has suddenly disappeared.
Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) stars as Toby Fleishman and three-time Emmy winner Claire Danes (Homeland) plays his ex, Rachel. The cast also includes Meara Mahoney Gross, Maxim Swinton, Lizzy Caplan, and Adam Brody.
Taffy Brodesser-Akner created the series, based on her novel, and serves as writer and executive producer. Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, and Susannah Grant also executive produce, with Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton directing and executive producing. Shari Springer Berman...
Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) stars as Toby Fleishman and three-time Emmy winner Claire Danes (Homeland) plays his ex, Rachel. The cast also includes Meara Mahoney Gross, Maxim Swinton, Lizzy Caplan, and Adam Brody.
Taffy Brodesser-Akner created the series, based on her novel, and serves as writer and executive producer. Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, and Susannah Grant also executive produce, with Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton directing and executive producing. Shari Springer Berman...
- 10/25/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Elsie Fisher as Kayla in Eighth Grade. Photo by Linda Kallerus, courtesy of A24
Writer/director Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade is a remarkably true and honest portrait of a 13-year-old girl’s journey through the last year of middle school, a refreshingly accurate snapshot of early teen years that avoids all the teen movie stereotypes and presents life, zits and all, as it really is. But the film is further boosted by an appealing performance by Elsie Fisher as Kayla trying to negotiate this territory along with her single parent dad Mark (Josh Hamilton). Well-meaning Dad is desperate to connect with his only child, and Kayla is just as desperately ignoring her poor, adoring dad.
There is plenty that is laugh-out-loud funny in this film and just as many moments that are poignant, even heartbreaking. Some people make the kind of transition that Kayla is struggling to make in...
Writer/director Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade is a remarkably true and honest portrait of a 13-year-old girl’s journey through the last year of middle school, a refreshingly accurate snapshot of early teen years that avoids all the teen movie stereotypes and presents life, zits and all, as it really is. But the film is further boosted by an appealing performance by Elsie Fisher as Kayla trying to negotiate this territory along with her single parent dad Mark (Josh Hamilton). Well-meaning Dad is desperate to connect with his only child, and Kayla is just as desperately ignoring her poor, adoring dad.
There is plenty that is laugh-out-loud funny in this film and just as many moments that are poignant, even heartbreaking. Some people make the kind of transition that Kayla is struggling to make in...
- 7/27/2018
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Irrfan Khan‘s much anticipated new film Puzzle has just released its new theatrical poster. Khan has also taken to social media to promote the film and has posted this newly released poster. He stars opposite three-time Golden Globe nominee Kelly Macdonald and acclaimed actor David Denman. Their new film has already earned a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Puzzle is a closely observed portrait of Agnes, who has reached her early 40s without ever venturing far from home, family or the tight-knit immigrant community in which she was raised by her widowed father. That begins to change in a quietly dramatic fashion when Agnes receives a jigsaw puzzle as a birthday gift and experiences the heady thrill of not only doing something she enjoys, but being very, very good at it.
Stepping out of her domestic bubble to pursue her new hobby, Agnes meets Robert (Irrfan Khan), a wealthy,...
Puzzle is a closely observed portrait of Agnes, who has reached her early 40s without ever venturing far from home, family or the tight-knit immigrant community in which she was raised by her widowed father. That begins to change in a quietly dramatic fashion when Agnes receives a jigsaw puzzle as a birthday gift and experiences the heady thrill of not only doing something she enjoys, but being very, very good at it.
Stepping out of her domestic bubble to pursue her new hobby, Agnes meets Robert (Irrfan Khan), a wealthy,...
- 6/20/2018
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley star in this feel-good, coming of (middle) age comedy about a mismatched pair who help each other overcome life’s road blocks—festival circuit favorite Learning To Drive, which was chosen the Audience Award runner-up at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.
Wendy (Clarkson) is a fiery Manhattan book critic whose husband has just left her for another woman; Darwan (Kingsley) is a soft-spoken taxi driver from India on the verge of an arranged marriage. As Wendy sets out to reclaim her independence, she runs into a barrier common to many lifelong New Yorkers: she’s never learned to drive. When Wendy hires Darwan to teach her, her unraveling life and his calm restraint seem like an awkward fit. But as he shows her how to take control of the wheel, and she coaches him on how to impress a woman,...
Wendy (Clarkson) is a fiery Manhattan book critic whose husband has just left her for another woman; Darwan (Kingsley) is a soft-spoken taxi driver from India on the verge of an arranged marriage. As Wendy sets out to reclaim her independence, she runs into a barrier common to many lifelong New Yorkers: she’s never learned to drive. When Wendy hires Darwan to teach her, her unraveling life and his calm restraint seem like an awkward fit. But as he shows her how to take control of the wheel, and she coaches him on how to impress a woman,...
- 8/25/2015
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures
Broad Green Pictures has released three new featurettes for director Isabel Coixet’s wonderful film, Learning To Drive.
Chosen as the Audience Award runner-up at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and inspired by a true story, Learning To Drive stars Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley in a feel-good comedy about an improbable friendship.
Wendy is a fiery Manhattan author whose husband has just left her for a younger woman; Darwan is a soft-spoken taxi driver from India on the verge of an arranged marriage. As Wendy sets out to reclaim her independence, she runs into a barrier common to many lifelong New Yorkers: she’s never learned to drive. When Wendy hires Darwan to teach her, her unraveling life and his calm restraint seem like an awkward fit. But as he shows her how to take control of the wheel,...
Broad Green Pictures has released three new featurettes for director Isabel Coixet’s wonderful film, Learning To Drive.
Chosen as the Audience Award runner-up at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and inspired by a true story, Learning To Drive stars Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley in a feel-good comedy about an improbable friendship.
Wendy is a fiery Manhattan author whose husband has just left her for a younger woman; Darwan is a soft-spoken taxi driver from India on the verge of an arranged marriage. As Wendy sets out to reclaim her independence, she runs into a barrier common to many lifelong New Yorkers: she’s never learned to drive. When Wendy hires Darwan to teach her, her unraveling life and his calm restraint seem like an awkward fit. But as he shows her how to take control of the wheel,...
- 8/24/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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