Dolly Parton to be The Focus of Unique NBC Movie Series
They’ll tell you that nobody cares any more about old school country music characters, yet everywhere you turn the plaudits and opportunities for the artists that remind us of the glory days of country continue to pour in. And here’s another instance.
On Friday (1-16), it was announced that Dolly Parton has signed a development deal with NBC to create a unique series of television movies for the network that will deal with various aspects of Dolly Parton’s life. This will not be a full-length television series, or a miniseries per se, but a collection of movies that feature Dolly’s true life story. Each installment, though tied through Dolly’s narrative, will be autonomous from each other, meaning not a common storyline. Parton may appear in some of the movies, and some she may not. However, she will be the producer of the project, and will be pairing up again with NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt who also worked with Dolly on the stage adaptation of the well-known movie 9 to 5 where Dolly’s acting career began in earnest.
The idea behind the project is to make a television option that the entire family can enjoy together—something lacking in not just the television world, but the music world too. Each movie will be two hours long in television time, and though music will certainly be involved, they shouldn’t be expecting musicals, or even musical movies as much as inspirational glimpses into Dolly Parton’s personal story.
“I don’t know anyone in the world who doesn’t love Dolly Parton, and the idea of developing television movies inspired by her incredible life and the stories she has sung about for decades is exciting to all of us at NBC,” Bob Greenblatt said in a statement. “We’re going to try and create uplifting movies the entire family can enjoy together.”
Along with being the most decorated and accomplished living female country star, Dolly’s entrepreneurial spirit has not let up one bit in the maturing of her career, owning and operating a theme park, and continuing to release music and tour internationally. Dolly’s a franchise all to herself, and she just keeps growing.
“I am so excited to be involved with my friend Bob Greenblatt, who produced the Broadway version of ‘9 to 5: The Musical’ with me, and my longtime friend and former agent Sam Haskell,” Parton said. “We want to create projects for NBC that are both fun and inspirational with a family audience in mind.”
No timeline has been announced just yet for the shooting or release of the movies.
January 17, 2015 @ 9:43 am
I’m a little sceptical of TV bio pics but that is a pretty interesting concept. Hopefully they’ll do a good job of it.
January 17, 2015 @ 10:10 am
It will be VERY interesting to see if this flies in these times . I don’t believe there is any question that family MOVIES are hugely popular when you consider the success of the many animated features geared to an across-the-board demographic and working on several levels story/message-wise. The description echoes the classic ” Waltons” program as well as several others from a bygone era (‘ Andy Griffiths’ , ‘Little House’ etc.. ) .Although I , personally , have no doubt this kind of programming is desperately needed , I wonder if today’s audiences may deem themselves too sophisticated for this kind of show ?
“They”™ll tell you that nobody cares any more about old school country music characters, yet everywhere you turn the plaudits and opportunities for the artists that remind us of the glory days of country continue to pour in. And here”™s another instance.”
To your quote here , Trigger , if slightly off topic , I can attest to the fact that no matter the demographic ( and we regularly entertain for a cross section of people ), when it comes to country music in the clubs , old school wins the popularity contest hands down . Not just because of the traditional sound of fiddles , steel guitars crying , Telecasters burpin’ and twangin over a quick 2/4 and the varying moods old school can conjure musically …but for the sheer DANCEABILITY of these songs . Very, very little contemporary country music works in a dance club . Dance rhythms are not inherent in today’s mainstream country .Yes , head-bobbin’ grooves are there ….but with the exception of a couple of twin Les Pauls cranked to 11 , there is no energy in most of the almost dirge-like half times of the newer stuff when it comes to dancing . We try to do newer material but it generally falls flat in this context and invariably we’ll get the requests for George Strait , Jackson , Shania , Hank Sr. even ….all GREAT dance tunes .
This is kind of frustrating for us as journeyman professionals . We’d love to be able to hop on some newer material and know it will sell in the cabarets and saloons …but it just doesn’t . The customer is always right on the dance floor .
January 17, 2015 @ 10:44 am
Albert,
I frequently see and enjoy your insightful commentary here on SCM, and if my reading comprehension skills are worth anything, you live or perform in or around Nashville. My wife and I just moved here, and are DYING for some good live music! Where in town can we catch you or your band? Or any good live COUNTRY music?
All the best!
January 18, 2015 @ 12:28 am
Jaimito . Unfortunately you’re about 3000 miles off in your efforts to locate me . I’m up here in the ” Great White North ” near Vancouver Canada . I wouldn’t think it would be too difficult to find some good live music in Nashville , though .
May the force be with you !
January 18, 2015 @ 7:10 am
Well, I failed that one miserably! Honestly, we’ve done the Broadway thing, once, and it got old fast. Once we’re settled in, we’ll start hitting the dives and bars and such around town. Here’s to you and good music!
January 17, 2015 @ 10:49 am
She shines. She is the jewel of Country Music.
January 17, 2015 @ 10:56 am
Personally, I’m really excited about this! I really hope they do a movie about her relationship with Porter Wagner. I mentioned a few weeks ago in another post that preserving the history of country music and handing it down to future generations is something that I’m passionate about. I like that this is going to have a family focus. Hopefully I can sit down with my four year old daughter and use these movies to keep that alive.
On an unrelated note: Trigger, have you ever considered doing a post periodically that would be sort of a Q and A post? I know you answer a lot of questions in the comment sections and I really appreciate that. However, every now and then I’ll hear a song or some small news may happen and I’ll think “I wonder what Trigger thinks about that.” We could email questions to you and every few months or so you could answer the good or popular ones. Either way, I love the site. Keep up the good work.
January 17, 2015 @ 12:22 pm
Her 1980s variety show, “Dolly” was one of the fantastic, final programs of that genre, and was absolutely enjoyable to all ages (except maybe too-cool-for-school teenagers?). The guest list was huge and unbelievably varied, and the energy she put into each episode was rivaled only by the quality. Gosh, I miss that show, and wish her all the best with this new concept.
January 17, 2015 @ 3:44 pm
I figured out my site problem Trig, no need for what I asked you.
January 17, 2015 @ 8:56 pm
boo to wholesome family nonsense. i wanna know if her and The Gambler ever…you know.
January 18, 2015 @ 8:14 am
Interesting! I like the notion of a broadcast network taking chances and offering something a little different while remaining a relatively family-friendly alternative to the looser, more anything-goes standards of cable / streaming shows… Anymore, TV is becoming more about a collection of niches than about across-the-board appeal; I’m not certain that these Dolly movies will change that, but they would be a welcome effort. 🙂
January 18, 2015 @ 1:40 pm
I’m glad to hear this. Dolly Parton has been a big part of many lives in country music, and I’m glad it will be documented.
April 10, 2015 @ 2:43 am
Sadly enough this will be a failed attempt. Today’s television markets too educated and evolved, to be sold into the cornball ‘Coat of many colors’ story, or her one sided Porter Wagoner tell (read Stella’s book). They need to do a story on the real cute throat Dolly…who is a hard ass business woman. One who has manipulated, woven and lied herself to the top. She’s no country girl wearing her $1500 custom shoes and living in 14 houses (yes, 6 in Nashville). Make a movie on her real woven success that’s nothing country about it.