April 06, 2008
Fall TV Drama Will Spotlight Philanthropy
A recent spate of reality television shows about giving, such as Oprah’s Big Give, have drawn some poor reviews, but NBC announced last week that it will have a scripted drama about a wealthy donor in its fall lineup.
According to NBC’s Web site, the hour-long show, The Philanthropist, will feature the character Teddy Rist, who after the death of his only child, “has an awakening and becomes the world’s first vigilante philanthropist -– a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections, and power to help people in need.”
The drama seems like a remake of the 1950s show The Millionaire, but with a modern twist. “Instead of spending $25,000 a plate at a fund raiser,” NBC boasts, “he’s dodging bullets in third-world countries to hand deliver vaccines.”
What do you think? Will you tune in for the show? Any suggestions on who should play the lead character?
— Ian Wilhelm
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The new show will work with the right script and bent.
Bono would make an interesting lead.
Also good would be: Daniel Day Lewis, Michael York, Dennis Haysbert, Joe Morton, or a brilliant upcoming unknown.
— Theo the Thinker Apr 7, 10:02 AM #
Heh heh . . . vigilante philanthropist . . . dodging bullets to hand deliver vaccines . . . it should be a real laugh riot. Oh. It’s a drama. Well, considering all of the amazingly lame ideas that get made into shows (taxi drivers that solve crime in their spare time, rich people being rich and doing rich stuff, etc), it will probably still be worth a few yucks.
This is, however, NBC that we are talking about – did they even consider the planned giving-related crime drama Law & Order: Probate Court?
— Bif Apr 7, 10:24 AM #
Oh, brother.
I’m inclined to be pessimistic about viewership, but I can totally see Pierce Brosnan in the title role …
— Tom Durso Apr 7, 12:39 PM #
A series that I hope bit the dust earlier this season had a serial killer as a protagonist — maybe the lowest point so far for network television.
But this idea seems equally looney — Hollywood’s idea of what every self-respecting billionaire should be doing.
I vote instead for a reality show in which real wealthy entertainment celebrities are parachuted with a lunchbox and supplies into troubled areas of the world to “make a difference.”
Now that would be great reality television.
— Sam Davis Apr 7, 02:30 PM #
Maybe I’d watch the first episode but if it’s not as irreverent as The Office, i won’t stick around.
Anybody ever dodge real bullets to give a grant?
Why is it always a show about the rich guy?
How about a show about how a scrappy nonprofit struggles daily to raise money from foundations to file class action lawsuits against corporate America?
— Karen Topakian Apr 10, 06:43 PM #
Please, bring me either Clooney, Cheadle or Hugh Laurie. All would be terrific.
— Linda Apr 10, 11:45 PM #
The Chronicle now has an online poll to find out who our readers would like to play the role of the “world’s first vigilante philanthropist.” Cast your vote soon — we’ll announce the winner April 17.
— Ian Wilhelm Apr 11, 06:49 AM #
It’s definitely a remake of “The Millionaire,” with elements of Angus MacGyver (who worked for the Phoenix Foundation after all) and Bruce Wayne/Batman (philanthropist/vigilante) thrown in for good measure.
As for who should play him or her, I don’t think you should ever see who the Philanthropist is, only his or her agents a la the original Millionaire or Charlie’s Angels.
Then, snag Nathan Fillion or Jamie Bamber to play the agent who helps people in need.
— K Apr 11, 01:19 PM #