Sara Bareilles Teams Up With J.J. Abrams for Musical Series on Apple TV
OK, I’m a sucker for musical television shows. I was totally a “Gleek” and I loved Smash (well, I loved the first season of Smash). Now, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot is delving into more musical territory with Apple TV by giving a platform to one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Sara Bareilles.
You likely know Bareilles’ work, from her four solo albums to her hit Broadway musical, Waitress. And have you heard this cover of “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay??” Now, she will be creating original music for a half-hour musical narrative series called Little Voice, named after her hit album that features her breakout hit, “Love Song.”
“Described as a love letter to the diverse musicality of New York,” The Hollywood Reporter writes. “Little Voice — which takes its title from Bareilles’ first album — explores the universal journey of finding your authentic voice in your early 20s.” Apple TV picked up the Bad Robot-produced show with a 10-episode, straight-to-series order.
The show will reunite Bareilles with Jessie Nelson, her collaborator on Waitress (as well as the screenwriter for films like I Am Sam and Stepmom). Nelson will be the showrunner on the series and is set to write and direct the pilot. She will also executive produce alongside J.J. Abrams as well as Bareilles and Bad Robot’s Head of Television, Ben Stephenson.
I’ve gotta say, I’m a little wary of Apple TV. While I trust them as far as their tech is concerned, I don’t trust them so much yet with providing original content. Still, I’ve been surprised before, and if any show seems totally up my alley and most likely to make me check out Apple TV, it’s this one.
What do you think of Little Voice?
(image: Peter Kramer/NBC)
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