HBO is touting Farrow, Hader
“Game of Thrones” was not in the room (at least not until 2019), but HBO still had plenty to talk about.
The biggest news came with word that HBO had signed a three-year development deal with journalist Ronan Farrow, whose investigation of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct in the New Yorker magazine helped light the fuse of the #MeToo movement of women coming forward with their experiences that continues to reverberate across Hollywood and elsewhere.
“2 Dope Queens” is a funny podcast, live show and, as of Feb. 2, a series of HBO specials. Hosts Jessica Williams (formerly of “The Daily Show”) and Phoebe Robinson (“I Love Dick”) could’ve charged a cover as they took questions on their four themed hourlong specials directed by Tig Notaro. In addition to featuring upand-coming stand-up talent, the show will include guest appearances from Jon Stewart, Sarah Jessica Parker and Tituss Burgess. “Don’t ever neg yourself, you’re beautiful and perfect,” Robinson said to one questioner, and the Queens feigned leaving the stage after a free association was said to be substandard.
Featuring Bill Hader, Alec Berg (“Silicon Valley”) and Henry Winkler, the panel for the new dark-comedy series “Barry,” premiering in March, was similarly lively. Hader, the co-creator and star of the show who also directed a number of episodes, provided his own “woos” and arena-sized crowd noise as he took his seat.
“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” will return on Feb. 18.
A three-hour documentary, “Elvis Presley: The Searcher” is scheduled for April 14. The documentary was produced by Priscilla Presley and includes a raft of new interviews along with photos and footage from private collections, with music by Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready.
“Flight of the Conchords,” the cult New Zealand-born musical comedy series led by Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, is returning to the network for the first time in nine years. An hourlong special — to be recorded in front of a live audience during the duo’s British tour — will air in May.
Before he was a filmmaker and producer, Judd Apatow was a comic who was among the many taken under the wing of Garry Shandling, who is the subject of Apatow’s four-hour-plus documentary, “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling,” which debuts March 26 and 27. Apatow described a rare, giving nature that was rooted in Buddhism. “I think the idea that he looked at standup as a way to learn who he was feels unique,” Apatow said. “In his journals, he basically says, ‘When you sit next to Johnny [Carson], just let go completely, and trust that when the time comes, you will think of the right joke.’ ”