NBC and Dolly’s family films
I was recently pleased to discover that my former television home NBC is to partner with my longtime friend and former movie co-star Dolly Parton.
The network signed a development deal with the American icon for a series of films.
“I am so excited to be involved with my friend Bob Greenblatt, who produced the Broadway version of ‘9 to 5: The Musical’ with me, and my longtime friend and former agent Sam Haskell,” Dolly said. “We want to create projects for NBC that are both fun and inspirational with a family audience in mind.”
In conjunction with production partner Sam Haskell of Magnolia Hill Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television, NBC will develop a slate of two-hour TV movies based on the songs, stories, and inspiring life of Dolly Parton.
The movies are aimed to appeal at the family audience, something greatly needed in the current television landscape and a perfect outlet for the moving storytelling created by Dolly.
“I don’t know anyone in the world who doesn’t love Dolly Parton, and the idea of developing television movies inspired by her incredible life and the stories she has sung about for decades is exciting to all of us at NBC,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.” I hope we will create some uplifting movies that the entire family can enjoy together, a genre of programming that still seems largely untapped on television.”
Over the past 40 years, Parton has 41 albums that have reached the top 10 in the country charts – the most for any artist – as well as 25 albums have either been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum. In addition, 110 singles have reached the country charts. She has won 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Assn. Awards and 7 Academy of Country Music Awards. In fact, Parton has been nominated for 46 Grammys as both she and Beyonce are the most Grammy-nominated women of all time.
“We all feel so lucky to be in business with Dolly,” said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment: “We’re so excited about working with her to infuse these movies with her incredible work ethic and that genuine hopefulness and positive outlook that has been her trademark for years. And you can bet there will be a lot of her music in them too.”
Dolly was twice nominated for an Oscar for her original songs “9 to 5” and “Travelin’ Thru,” for the film “Transamerica.” As an actress, Parton was nominated for three Golden Globes and won two People’s Choice Awards.
I am anxious to see what this partnership brings for all of us to enjoy. I pray it is something that will raise the bar of television and give other producers a goal for which to strive.
