If, like many moviegoers, you spent part of 2015 wondering what in the world got into Cameron Crowe’s mind when he made Aloha. Luckily for the filmmaker’s fans, his next project is definitely moving forward, as Showtime has put in a series order for the comedic drama Roadies. Whether you think it’s a chance for redemption or another solid notch in Crowe’s belt, it’s got the potential to enter cable’s upper echelon.
For Season 1, Roadies is getting 10 one-hour episodes, which fits right into what Showtime is comfortable dealing out. The show centers on the lives of Bill (Luke Wilson), the manager of the “arena-level” rock group The Staton-House Band, and Shelli (Carla Gugino), the band’s production manager. (The actress replaced Christina Hendricks, who left the pilot after the role was restructured.) The season will follow the band around on a multi-city tour, but will obviously focus more on the behind-the-scenes crew than the musicians themselves, and how relationships play out while on the road. Particularly that of the central duo, as their dynamic goes through thick and then. The supporting cast includes Imogen Poots, Rafe Spall, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Peter Cambor, rapper Machine Gun Kelly and comedian Ron White.
That’s a solid cast, to be sure, and the premise kind of sounds like an extension of Almost Famous, which could be great. And the two other execs worth mentioning here add to the intrigue, as we’ve got Bad Robot involved, including J.J. Abrams, and the showrunner and co-creator is Winnie Holzman, who created My So-Called Life, one of the greatest teen series of all time. Plus, Pearl Jam’s manager Kelly Curtis is on board as a producer and music supervisor.
It’s an interesting combination, and I can’t help but be optimistic that gold will be crafted. That, of course, comes with the knowledge in place that disappointment may develop.
Roadies is rather unlike anything else on Showtime’s current schedule. There’s the gothic horror of Penny Dreadful, the alluring drama of Masters of Sex, the government-driven thrills of Homeland, with comedies like Episodes, Shameless and House of Lies. None of those are musically-inclined, and I hope that Roadies uses that angle to separate itself further. Showtime’s other upcoming shows including Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti’s hedge fun drama Billions and the revival of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, both of which will premiere in 2016. There’s also a Halo show in development, as well as I’m Dying Up Here, a Jim Carrey-produced dramedy about the 1970s stand-up scene.
With guest stars that include Luiz Guzman and Finesse Mitchel, Roadies is expected to hit Showtime at some point in 2016, and that includes all of its online and on demand services. Are you guys anxious for this one?
