Mikey Campbell
Mimi Leder, an executive producer and director of Apple TV+ original "The Morning Show," on Thursday responded to reports that the series will cost Apple some $300 million over two seasons, calling the figure "way overblown."
Leading up to its debut this Friday, multiple publications, including The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, reported Apple was doling out about $15 million per episode for "The Morning Show," a sum that equates to $300 million over two seasons.
Leder, who directed a number of episodes including the pilot, corrected the record in a statement to Business Insider, saying reports of the massive budget were "absolutely not" true.
"I think [the budget is] very much in line with a lot of shows you see on high-end television, but it certainly was not as high as what's been reported," Leder said.
The correction brings into doubt the veracity of past reports claiming to have knowledge of Apple's budgeted outlays for Apple TV+ projects. In July, for example, the Wall Street Journal pegged the cost of Jason Momoa epic "See" at nearly $15 million per episode, making it one of the most expensive TV shows in history.
As noted by Variety, supposed budgets for "The Morning Show" and "See" met or exceeded those of HBO's "Game of Thrones." The cable network spent $60 million to produce the award-winning show's six-episode final season.
In a separate interview with The Wrap, also published on Thursday, Leder discussed "The Morning Show's" storyline as it relates to the #MeToo movement and sexual misconduct at major news organizations.
"The show is a work of fiction and when the #MeToo movement happened, it became part of the show," Leder said. "And it was something we obviously did not want to ignore and would be negligent to ignore. We're in the midst of shifting a cultural reality that has existed for centuries and I think people really want to see this. I think it's really exciting to explore where we are right now in this process, in this moment in history, in the midst of a reckoning, of sorts."
Apple ordered the series in 2017, just as the #MeToo movement was gaining momentum. Leder said that while the show is not a direct take on any one event, it does deal with themes and situations that can lead to abuse of power.
"We look at ways in which we're all capable of normalizing bad behavior without even realizing it," she said. "And we look at how we're all capable of participating in the suppression and abuse of power, if only as a passive witness. And we explore how passivity can destroy lives."
"The Morning Show," starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, dives into the cutthroat world of morning news, as told from the perspective of two women working their way through a sometimes volatile work environment. The show takes a candid look at the power dynamics between men and women, as well as women and women, in the workplace. It debuts on Apple TV+ when the service launches on Friday.
AppleInsider took an early look at the episodes set for initial release and found the show lacks a clear voice despite excellent acting, directing and production values. That could, however, change as the series develops.
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16 Comments
I can see Apple willing to put in a lot of money for quality shows to help solidify their new streaming service, but a show like this costing 50% more per episode than the final season of Game of Thrones is crazy. That number is worse when you consider the running time for that last season.
Personally, when I saw the trailer for ‘See’ I knew I wouldn’t be able to have respect for Apple’s efforts and so I haven’t considered their service. I don’t really care how much they spend on their shows.
’See’ appears to not-so-subtly present the idea that the youth can finally see as where the established order can’t. That is dangerous and irresponsible for our current society, one where the youth is grossly undereducated and misled about American government and history. How can the younger generation have any clue about where to lead the nation when they have little idea and little respect for the circumstances that brought about America? If anything they are destine to repeat history out of ignorance, being so out of touch with the very real and very repeatable past.
Interesting that the director felt the need to refute a $$$ budget number that can only gain The Morning Show notoriety and publicity, all of which would have benefited the show eyeball count and, of course, Apple.
Maybe that’s a sensitive subject when you have to negotiate with actors and agents who pay attention to who is getting what. Could make future negotiations more difficult.
"I think [the budget is] very much in line with a lot of shows you see on high-end television, but it certainly was not as high as what's been reported,"
That's a non-denial denial if ever there was one. The actual budget could be $14.5 million per episode and this denial would be "true" (from a certain point of view).