HBO orders full season of new series: “Julia”
From The Boston Globe – February 1, 2001
For decades, Julia Child filled households around the world with her distinct laugh and endless culinary expertise and general wisdom.
HBO has ordered “Julia,“ a drama series inspired by cookbook author, chef, and TV show host, Julia Child. The show, which already filmed its pilot, will continue filming the rest of its eight episode first season in Boston this spring.
Written by Daniel Goldfarb (’’The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’’) and directed by Charles McDougall (’’House of Cards’’), the show hopes to explore “the emergence of public television as a new social institution, feminism and the women’s movement, the nature of celebrity and America’s cultural growth,’’ according to HBO’s official statement.
The series will star two-time British Academy Television Award winner Sarah Lancashire as Julia Child and David Hyde Pierce as her husband. While the show doesn’t have a set airing date, keep an eye out for members of the cast roaming around Boston.
The series draws inspiration from Child’s television series, “The French Chef,’’ which paved the way for modern cooking television. “Julia’’ aims to capture some of that ingenuity and Child’s infectious spirit.
“We are so happy to help bring the incomparable Julia Child back to the small screen, when we need her more than ever,’’ said Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content for HBO Max in a statement. “This show’s look into her life, marriage, and trailblazing career, as she transformed the way we talk about food, is an absolute delight.’’Natachi Onwuamaegbu
Is HBO MAX separate from HBO and requires another payment and download?
I hope it will include the memorable scene where Julia, demonstrating her cooking technique in a party at 125 to celebrate some event, laid a 2-inch video tape across her cutting board and proceeded to show us all her method of slicing it with her butcher knife.
and spliced it with chewing gum and a rolling pin! Mark Stevens and I wrote, produced and directed this as a moral builder at Hartford’s behest – we had him up in a tree singing a Russian army song (Soviet Press This Week). Louis Lyons did Julia making “pan au peanut buttair et jellie.” It was for the staff Christmas party, the first in the new facility at 125 Western Ave. A hoot! Hi, Bob!
I watched over Julia at 419 Western Avenue when the show was moved from Studio A. I have some wonderful funny stories. Whatever was needed on the set, I took care of for Julia. If a piece of the scenery was out of place, I let Fran Mahard know, before I fixed it. I was responsible for taking care of the well-being of Julia’s husband. It was a great job.
Oh, and fighting off Frank Lane and Greg MacDonald as they went after the food when the show was done. Lol.
A drama series?
Should we be expecting episode titles like….
-Scandal on the Scene Dock
-Salmonella Strikes Studio A
-It’s “Lights Out” for Norton
-Chaos in the Control Room
-Who Killed the Capon?
But it sounds like great fun and a fitting tribute to all the people who brought this very special show into being, and sustained it so wonderfully over the years.
“The series draws inspiration from Child’s television series, “The French Chef,’’ which paved the way for modern cooking television.”
I wonder who will play Ruth Lockwood, Russ Morash, Fran Mahard, Chas Norton, Greg MacDonald, etc.
Yes! This is almost enough for me to get a HBO Max for one month to binge the series when it comes out :-)
All will be played by Dana Carvey.
Does that include you Dave? Yes…419 Western was quite the outpost.
Unfortunately, no. But Arte Johnson has graciously agreed to step in.