Expensive NBC? If Apple’s serious with Apple TV+, it needs to shed the ‘clean’ image

“If it’s true that Apple is aiming for ‘family-friendly’ material across most of its Apple TV+ shows, it may be fighting the streaming video wars with one arm tied behind its back,” Roger Fingas writes for AppleInsider.
“There have been multiple reports of Apple wielding a heavy hand in content, insisting that creators stay within certain bounds when it comes to sex and violence. Even CEO Tim Cook has become involved, despite no experience in film or TV, supposedly writing things like ‘don’t be so mean!’ in notes,” Fingas writes. “The company is additionally said to be putting the kibosh on storylines that criticize technology, so there’ll be no equivalent of ‘Black Mirror,’ regardless of the artistic views of writers and directors.”
“The obvious reference point is HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ now in its final season. The show sometimes features graphic sex and violence, enough that even fans can be disgusted. Yet it’s arguably the most popular TV show in the world, a huge moneymaker with tons of merchandise, cultural landmarks, and upcoming spinoffs. Other ‘mean’ shows are institutions too — ‘The Walking Dead’ for instance, and yes, ‘Black Mirror,'” Fingas writes. “Apple’s policies simply fly in the face of broader trends in the TV industry, which is a problem when you’re asking people to pay a monthly fee.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’re not convinced the reports of Apple brass giving notes, etc. are firmly rooted in fact. Hollywood is notorious for using the media to negotiate, for revenge, etc.
Apple has purchased an adaptation of an Israeli show called “Nevelot,” which translates directly to “Bastards,” that features violence and adult themes.
There’s nothing like two vets going on a millennial killing spree to nuke the idea that Apple is only pursuing milquetoast family fare. — MacDailyNews, December 6, 2018
In March, Howard Gordon, showrunner for the hit TV show “24,” co-creator of ‘Homeland,” and who sold “Nevelot” to Apple said of the company’s executives, “They were fairly adamant that it would not be a problem.”
Mark our words: Apple TV+ has the makings of a hit service written all over it.
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