Spike Lee develops post-Katrina drama for NBC

[deadparrot]

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Spike Lee will follow his documentary on Hurricane Katrina with a scripted drama for NBC set in New Orleans.

Titled "NoLa," after the local slang for the Big Easy, the project is a multicultural ensemble exploring the post-Katrina lives of New Orleans residents from different social and economic backgrounds.

"It's a show about the city trying to rebuild itself and the people who are trying to put their lives together," said Lee, who will travel to New Orleans this week with screenwriter Sid Quashie to meet with residents.

Lee began thinking about a TV series set in post-Katrina New Orleans while he was filming his HBO documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts." Like the documentary, "NoLa" will be infused with humor. Lee is set to executive produce and direct the project if NBC decides to turn the script into a pilot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060911/tv_nm/spikelee_dc

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. I'm speechless. In the not very distant past,

I would have been incredulous about Spike Lee producing a television series.

Now, given the circumstances, I am looking very forward to seeing this.

Hopefully, he will be ruled by his heart and mind, rather than $$$. With Mr. Lee, I think the odds heavily favor choice number one. However, cash seems to produce a hypnotic state in many otherwise principled people. MKJ

[skiddlybop]

2. And I'm sure the wingnutosphere will be up in MF-ing arms

about Spike Lee's supposed bias.

[MnFats]

3. Using "Path to 911" as a template, he should be able to make shit up.....

....completely slander real people and spread irrational fear and hatred.
...have at it, Spike!

[knowbody0]

4. a kind thoughtful and gentle man

National treasure!

[goclark]

6. Yes, a national treasure

and a man of compassion.

[MnFats]

5. using "Path to 911" as a template, he should be able to make shit up.....

slander real people and spread irrational fear and hatred....have at it, Spike

[funkybutt]

12. No need...

this story writes itself. You can't make this shit up!

[Nevernose]

7. Normally I'd be exposed to this kind of exploitation

And, at least from NBC's end, it is definitely exploitation. However, if Spike Lee's doing it, it can't be ALL bad. Give 'em hell, Spike.

[Miss Chybil]

10. Maybe, you should cover yourself...

:evilgrin:

[onehandle]

8. Freepers, start your dialing.

They'll have it canceled in 24 hours.

[Nevernose]

9. Nah. I give it 48. We should admire the Freepers.

72 if it were a weekend. The scray thing is, they don't even kniow what the hell it will be about, yet. They just know that a famous black man will be discussing a group of people who were 2/3s black, and they'll oppose it.

What they do, works. If we had the same cohesiveness and dedication that the Right Wing does, we would not only be clinically insane, but we would be far more effective.

Five hundred million people marching in the street worldwide?
Nothing.

A couple of thousand certifably insane, irrational paranoids with a constitutional right to bear arms?
So long, Spike.

[pitohui]

11. that would be cool

i've noticed the italian influence in his work such as "do the right thing" and "summer of sam" but not known enough about film to know where it came from

anything to keep the story on the front burner is fine w. me and i know he'll do a good job

as i've said before, i wasn't ready to see the katrina film, but i saw his 911 film (the 25th hour) and his kindness -- i don't really know the right word but kindness might be close to it -- i'm referring to his way to create a mood w.out being cruelly exploitive and hurtful -- i think the media gives a lot of attention to his persona of being "outrageous" and then doesn't notice what the public does notice, that he is kind and warm and brings you into the story

i bet this would be a terrific program

[pinerow]

13. His HBO special was spot on...

nt

[AtomicKitten]

14. when will this air?

hopefully right before an election

[Vidar]

15. Bravo, Mr. Lee.

[KamaAina]

16. The sad thing is, it would be N.O.'s first TV show since "Frank's Place"

the short-lived but most entertaining vehicle starring Tim Reid as an inveterate Bostonian who inherits his father's restaurant in N.O. That was in the late '80s. Odd, considering the city's extensive filmography, bibliography, and discography. For whatever reason, the TV medium has never been able to come to grips with the complexities of the city. (Could it be that TV just sucks?) And even here, if this happens, it'll be a film director (Lee) bringing it to the small screen.

edit: Even odder that it would take a catastrophe like this to get the city back on the tube after so many years.

re-edit: It should be obvious that The Real World doesn't count. :-)