Exclusive: The rise and fall of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) is to be explored in a new docuseries for Vice TV.
Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, founders of Seven Bucks Productions, are exec producing Who Killed WCW?
WCW was founded by Ted Turner in 1988 after his Turner Broadcasting System acquired the assets of National Wrestling Alliance territory Jim Crockett Productions. It competed aggressively with the then-titled WWF (now WWE), regularly beating it in the ratings on Monday nights where its Monday Nitro outrated Monday Night Raw. However, it endured significant losses and suffered from the merger between Turner parent Tim Warner and AOL and was shut down in 2001.
The series, which premieres on June 4, will explore the complex factors that led to the promotion’s downfall, including management challenges, creative decisions, and the intense competition during the infamous Monday Night Wars. It will feature exclusive, in-depth interviews with wrestlers, executives,...
Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, founders of Seven Bucks Productions, are exec producing Who Killed WCW?
WCW was founded by Ted Turner in 1988 after his Turner Broadcasting System acquired the assets of National Wrestling Alliance territory Jim Crockett Productions. It competed aggressively with the then-titled WWF (now WWE), regularly beating it in the ratings on Monday nights where its Monday Nitro outrated Monday Night Raw. However, it endured significant losses and suffered from the merger between Turner parent Tim Warner and AOL and was shut down in 2001.
The series, which premieres on June 4, will explore the complex factors that led to the promotion’s downfall, including management challenges, creative decisions, and the intense competition during the infamous Monday Night Wars. It will feature exclusive, in-depth interviews with wrestlers, executives,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The behind-the-scenes world of professional wrestling was infamously closed off to the public for decades, frustrating fans who craved a glimpse of what their favorite performers were really like
outside the ring.
That all changed with the internet and social media. And now, the industry is peeling back the mystique further via a slew of docuseries about pro wrestling’s biggest stars and aspiring grapplers.
WWE has a slate of four shows with A&e, including “WWE Rivals” and “WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures.” Meanwhile, Vice TV is releasing Season 4 of the series “Dark Side of the Ring” on May 30. Also in the mix, Apple TV+ recently aired the docuseries “Monster Factory,” named after the famed pro wrestling school in New Jersey where it takes place, and TBS began airing the All Elite Wrestling show “Aew: All Access” in March.
Evan Husney, co-creator and executive producer of “Dark Side of the Ring,...
outside the ring.
That all changed with the internet and social media. And now, the industry is peeling back the mystique further via a slew of docuseries about pro wrestling’s biggest stars and aspiring grapplers.
WWE has a slate of four shows with A&e, including “WWE Rivals” and “WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures.” Meanwhile, Vice TV is releasing Season 4 of the series “Dark Side of the Ring” on May 30. Also in the mix, Apple TV+ recently aired the docuseries “Monster Factory,” named after the famed pro wrestling school in New Jersey where it takes place, and TBS began airing the All Elite Wrestling show “Aew: All Access” in March.
Evan Husney, co-creator and executive producer of “Dark Side of the Ring,...
- 5/3/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“Dark Side of the Ring” Season 4 has set its premiere date at Vice TV.
The fourth season of the popular pro wrestling docuseries, which will consist of 10 episodes, will debut on May 30 at 10 p.m. Et.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our viewers for giving this show the life that it has had for the past 4 years,” said executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener. “As lifelong fans of professional wrestling, our subjects continue to inspire us. There are so many fascinating and compelling stories left to tell and it’s a privilege to share more of them in our fourth season.”
“Dark Side of the Ring” is narrated by wrestling legend Chris Jericho. The official description of the fourth season states that it will “explore stories like the emotional rollercoaster of one of wrestling’s most captivating and controversial couples, Chris Candido and Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, the car accident...
The fourth season of the popular pro wrestling docuseries, which will consist of 10 episodes, will debut on May 30 at 10 p.m. Et.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our viewers for giving this show the life that it has had for the past 4 years,” said executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener. “As lifelong fans of professional wrestling, our subjects continue to inspire us. There are so many fascinating and compelling stories left to tell and it’s a privilege to share more of them in our fourth season.”
“Dark Side of the Ring” is narrated by wrestling legend Chris Jericho. The official description of the fourth season states that it will “explore stories like the emotional rollercoaster of one of wrestling’s most captivating and controversial couples, Chris Candido and Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, the car accident...
- 4/11/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Back in the day, if anyone were to talk about what was happening behind the scenes in professional wrestling, they would be shunned relentlessly or worse. Although the locker room drama was often just as good if not better than whatever was going on in the ring, and if you knew which message boards to visit or which magazines to subscribe to, there's a chance that you'd still be privy to some of these stories. But most wrestling fans were completely in the dark about things like that.
All of that changed in the modern era thanks to tell-all interviews, company-sanctioned podcasts, and hard-hitting documentaries that leave no stone unturned. The best example of the latter is "Dark Side of the Ring," a Vice series co-created by Jason Eisener and Evan Husney. This fan-favorite show covered some of the most famous and infamous figures and events in wrestling history without...
All of that changed in the modern era thanks to tell-all interviews, company-sanctioned podcasts, and hard-hitting documentaries that leave no stone unturned. The best example of the latter is "Dark Side of the Ring," a Vice series co-created by Jason Eisener and Evan Husney. This fan-favorite show covered some of the most famous and infamous figures and events in wrestling history without...
- 9/24/2022
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
If you're a genre film fan and a lifelong wrestling fan, there's a good chance you hold Jason Eisener in pretty high regard. The filmmaker first broke onto the scene after he won Robert Rodriguez's "Grindhouse" faux trailer competition with "Hobo with a Shotgun," which he later turned into a feature film starring Rutger Hauer. He's responsible for the "Y is for Youngbuck" segment of "The ABCs of Death," the "V/H/S/2/" segment "Alien Abduction Slumber Party," the killer Christmas tree slasher "Treevenge," the nightmare fuel of "One Last Dive," and he also produced the cult hit "Turbo Kid." The dude loves making fun movies, almost as much as he loves the art of professional wrestling.
Back in 2019, Eisener and co-creator Evan Husney unleashed the docuseries "Dark Side of the Ring" onto the world. The series goes beyond the kayfabe of professional wrestling, and deeply examines the countless...
Back in 2019, Eisener and co-creator Evan Husney unleashed the docuseries "Dark Side of the Ring" onto the world. The series goes beyond the kayfabe of professional wrestling, and deeply examines the countless...
- 9/23/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Vice TV is expanding its pro wrestling docuseries offerings with a new show from the “Dark Side of the Ring” team and Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions.
The series is titled “Tales from the Territories” and will delve into the time in wrestling when the industry was divided into smaller, territory based organizations. The new series will debut Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. Et. Watch a new trailer for the show below.
“The wrestling business is filled with nuanced relationships and there’s a phenomenal history that we know fans are going to enjoy,” said Brian Gewirtz, senior vice president of creative development for Seven Bucks Productions and former head writer at WWE. “In many ways the wrestling world is a family, they have great moments, tough times and everything in-between. There’s a rich history of untold stories which we can’t wait to bring to life.
The series is titled “Tales from the Territories” and will delve into the time in wrestling when the industry was divided into smaller, territory based organizations. The new series will debut Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. Et. Watch a new trailer for the show below.
“The wrestling business is filled with nuanced relationships and there’s a phenomenal history that we know fans are going to enjoy,” said Brian Gewirtz, senior vice president of creative development for Seven Bucks Productions and former head writer at WWE. “In many ways the wrestling world is a family, they have great moments, tough times and everything in-between. There’s a rich history of untold stories which we can’t wait to bring to life.
- 8/8/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Photo: ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ Documentary filmmaking is no less difficult of an undertaking than that of features or scripted TV. From numerous interviews to conduct as well as still trying to tell a coherent story about a given topic or event, documentaries have their own respective challenges to overcome in bringing their messages to audiences. Like any other medium, some documentaries succeed in their endeavors while others don’t. Very few, however, can tell an engaging story or provide a thorough analysis of a topic, grab hold of the audience’s emotions, and spark a viewer’s interest in wanting to know more about the subject. Enter Vice’s ‘Dark Side of the Ring’, a documentary series created by Evan Husney and Jason Eisener that delves deep into some of the most controversial events or figures in the world of professional wrestling, an industry where the line between reality and fiction is blurred.
- 6/15/2022
- by Nader Chamas
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
“Dark Side of the Ring” returns next month with the back half of its third season — but we can get the Vice TV show some heat right now.
Watch the Season 3B trailer via the video above, which is exclusive to TheWrap.
In our sneak peek, fans will get a sense of just how troubled Luna Vachon (pictured above) was, and see just how bothersome Jim Ross finds talking about the infamous WWF Plane Ride From Hell. And that’s just two of seven remaining episodes.
Additionally, the second half of Season 3 incudes: “The Double Life of Chris Kanyon,” “Blood & Wire: Onita’s Fmw,” “Bikers, Bombs & Bedlam Johnny K9,” “Extreme & Obscene: Rob Black’s Xpw” and “The Steroid Trials.”
With “The Plane Ride From Hell” up first and the steroid stuff set as the Season 3 finale, WWE fans of a certain age are going to want to make this one...
Watch the Season 3B trailer via the video above, which is exclusive to TheWrap.
In our sneak peek, fans will get a sense of just how troubled Luna Vachon (pictured above) was, and see just how bothersome Jim Ross finds talking about the infamous WWF Plane Ride From Hell. And that’s just two of seven remaining episodes.
Additionally, the second half of Season 3 incudes: “The Double Life of Chris Kanyon,” “Blood & Wire: Onita’s Fmw,” “Bikers, Bombs & Bedlam Johnny K9,” “Extreme & Obscene: Rob Black’s Xpw” and “The Steroid Trials.”
With “The Plane Ride From Hell” up first and the steroid stuff set as the Season 3 finale, WWE fans of a certain age are going to want to make this one...
- 8/19/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
“Dark Side of the Ring” will debut Season 3 on Vice TV on May 6. In an interview with Variety, series narrator Chris Jericho says the show allows non-wrestling fans to learn to appreciate what wrestlers go through in their careers.
“I think one of the reasons why the show is very important and very relevant is because you’re learning and maybe getting a little more respect for these guys,” Jericho says. “We’re playing these characters, and not just doing it for three months making a movie. We’re doing it every single day of our lives. And in some ways that’s great and in other ways, it’s not so great.”
“Dark Side of the Ring” has been a breakout hit for Vice TV since it debuted in 2019, quickly becoming the highest-rated show in the network’s history. Season 3 is set to tackle topics such as the career of Brian Pillman,...
“I think one of the reasons why the show is very important and very relevant is because you’re learning and maybe getting a little more respect for these guys,” Jericho says. “We’re playing these characters, and not just doing it for three months making a movie. We’re doing it every single day of our lives. And in some ways that’s great and in other ways, it’s not so great.”
“Dark Side of the Ring” has been a breakout hit for Vice TV since it debuted in 2019, quickly becoming the highest-rated show in the network’s history. Season 3 is set to tackle topics such as the career of Brian Pillman,...
- 4/29/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Watch the trailer for season-premiere episode about Brian Pillman here
TheWrap is tagging itself in to debut the trailer for the two-hour “Dark Side of the Ring” Season 3 premiere episode, which centers on the life and death of Brian Pillman — but that’s not all. We can also exclusively reveal the people and storylines chronicled in the back half of the season, when the WWF Steroid Trials and The Plane Ride From Hell get the Vice TV treatment, among other pro-wrestling subjects.
But first up is Pillman, who clawed his way to infamy by playing an unpredictable and outrageous character dubbed “The Loose Cannon.” His unwavering commitment to a 24/7 performance put Pillman on a path to self-destruction that left his family in financial and emotional ruin.
Watch the trailer for Pillman’s episode via the video above.
The second half of the season, which kicks off in late summer, will also include the Steroid Trials,...
TheWrap is tagging itself in to debut the trailer for the two-hour “Dark Side of the Ring” Season 3 premiere episode, which centers on the life and death of Brian Pillman — but that’s not all. We can also exclusively reveal the people and storylines chronicled in the back half of the season, when the WWF Steroid Trials and The Plane Ride From Hell get the Vice TV treatment, among other pro-wrestling subjects.
But first up is Pillman, who clawed his way to infamy by playing an unpredictable and outrageous character dubbed “The Loose Cannon.” His unwavering commitment to a 24/7 performance put Pillman on a path to self-destruction that left his family in financial and emotional ruin.
Watch the trailer for Pillman’s episode via the video above.
The second half of the season, which kicks off in late summer, will also include the Steroid Trials,...
- 4/27/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Vice TV has set the premiere dates for “Dark Side of the Ring” Season 3 and spinoff “Dark Side of Football.” Both also now have (violent) trailers.
Ok, so the sneak peek for “Football” is more of a teaser. While it may appear from the brief video that Joe Paterno and Penn State are being profiled, a spokesperson for Vice told TheWrap this first season will focus completely on professional football.
The third season of “Dark Side of the Ring” will debut on Thursday, May 6 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.
In that trailer, Aew wrestler Jon Moxley (formerly Dean Ambrose in WWE) reminds viewers that professional wrestling is not always “a children’s TV show on Saturday morning” — it’s sometimes “a fight.”
Then actor David Arquette gets awfully bloodied, admitting, “I was in over my head.”
As for legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette, he just wants to “do ‘The Happy...
Ok, so the sneak peek for “Football” is more of a teaser. While it may appear from the brief video that Joe Paterno and Penn State are being profiled, a spokesperson for Vice told TheWrap this first season will focus completely on professional football.
The third season of “Dark Side of the Ring” will debut on Thursday, May 6 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.
In that trailer, Aew wrestler Jon Moxley (formerly Dean Ambrose in WWE) reminds viewers that professional wrestling is not always “a children’s TV show on Saturday morning” — it’s sometimes “a fight.”
Then actor David Arquette gets awfully bloodied, admitting, “I was in over my head.”
As for legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette, he just wants to “do ‘The Happy...
- 4/8/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix unveiled the trailer for its superhero drama “Jupiter’s Legacy,” and ESPN set the premiere date for docuseries “GOATs: The Greatest of All Time.”
Dates
ESPN will debut three-part docuseries “GOATs: The Greatest of All Time,” exploring star athletes through the lens of veteran sports photographer Walter Iooss, March 7 at 8 p.m. Directed by Kevin Kaufman, the series will celebrate some of the world’s greatest athletes, featuring exclusive interviews with Kobe Bryant, Joe Montana, Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods, Joe Namath, Chris Evert, Ken Griffey Jr., Jack Nicklaus, Caroline Wozniacki and Kelly Slater. The series is produced by Kaufman Films in association with Transform Films & Royal Ventures Studios. Kaufman will executive produce, along with Beth Fraikorn and Joe Dimuro. The series will also air on ABC March 14 at 2 p.m. and will be available on demand following its premiere. Watch a trailer below.
From National Geographic,...
Dates
ESPN will debut three-part docuseries “GOATs: The Greatest of All Time,” exploring star athletes through the lens of veteran sports photographer Walter Iooss, March 7 at 8 p.m. Directed by Kevin Kaufman, the series will celebrate some of the world’s greatest athletes, featuring exclusive interviews with Kobe Bryant, Joe Montana, Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods, Joe Namath, Chris Evert, Ken Griffey Jr., Jack Nicklaus, Caroline Wozniacki and Kelly Slater. The series is produced by Kaufman Films in association with Transform Films & Royal Ventures Studios. Kaufman will executive produce, along with Beth Fraikorn and Joe Dimuro. The series will also air on ABC March 14 at 2 p.m. and will be available on demand following its premiere. Watch a trailer below.
From National Geographic,...
- 3/1/2021
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- Variety Film + TV
While fans wait for Season 3 of Vice’s popular docuseries “Dark Side of the Ring,” the network has ordered a companion talk show that will dive deeper into the first two seasons.
“Dark Side of the Ring: Confidential” will feature series creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener sitting down with popular wrestling podcast host Conrad Thompson as they give viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the series. Each episode will explore a major moment from the first two seasons.
The new show will premiere on March 9 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.
“In our first two seasons, there were so many amazing ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ moments left on the cutting room floor,” Husney and Eisner said. “We’re extremely excited to now be able to share bonus footage and behind-the-scenes stories on ‘Dark Side of the Ring: Confidential’ with Conrad Thompson.”
“We are putting the finishing touches on season three...
“Dark Side of the Ring: Confidential” will feature series creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener sitting down with popular wrestling podcast host Conrad Thompson as they give viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the series. Each episode will explore a major moment from the first two seasons.
The new show will premiere on March 9 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.
“In our first two seasons, there were so many amazing ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ moments left on the cutting room floor,” Husney and Eisner said. “We’re extremely excited to now be able to share bonus footage and behind-the-scenes stories on ‘Dark Side of the Ring: Confidential’ with Conrad Thompson.”
“We are putting the finishing touches on season three...
- 3/1/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Vice is continuing to add to the number of shows it has in the ring.
The youth-skewing broadcaster is expanding its Dark Side of the Ring franchise further with a 90-minute talk show.
Dark Side of the Ring: Confidential, which premieres Tuesday March 9, will feature eight 90-minute episodes, where the show’s creators dive into the episodes of season one and two and answer the unanswered questions and secrets and feature never-seen-before moments.
Creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener will sit down for a series of roundtable discussions with host and wrestling insider Conrad Thompson and episodes will feature guests such as Tommy Dreamer, The Blue Meanie, Savio Vega , and former WWE referee Mike Chioda.
Each episode will explore a major moment from the series, including the Von Erich brothers’ tragic deaths, The Montreal Screwjob and conspiracy theories around Gino Hernandez’s death.
It comes as Vice TV is gearing...
The youth-skewing broadcaster is expanding its Dark Side of the Ring franchise further with a 90-minute talk show.
Dark Side of the Ring: Confidential, which premieres Tuesday March 9, will feature eight 90-minute episodes, where the show’s creators dive into the episodes of season one and two and answer the unanswered questions and secrets and feature never-seen-before moments.
Creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener will sit down for a series of roundtable discussions with host and wrestling insider Conrad Thompson and episodes will feature guests such as Tommy Dreamer, The Blue Meanie, Savio Vega , and former WWE referee Mike Chioda.
Each episode will explore a major moment from the series, including the Von Erich brothers’ tragic deaths, The Montreal Screwjob and conspiracy theories around Gino Hernandez’s death.
It comes as Vice TV is gearing...
- 3/1/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Director Barry Jenkins shared a teaser for “The Underground Railroad,” and Apple TV Plus announced that “Peanuts” specials including “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” will be made available on the platform.
Renewals
Vice TV announced that it has renewed “Dark Side of the Ring,” a docuseries about controversies in the wrestling world, for a third season with 14 new episodes in the works. The series, which has become the highest-rated Vice TV show, documented tragedies and shocking stories within the wrestling community through its first two season. Some stories explored in Season 2 include Dino Bravo‘s murder, David Schultz‘s assault on a reporter and a freak accident involving Owen Hart. Executive producers of “Dark Side of the Ring” are Jason Eisener, Evan Husney, Vanessa Case, Catherine Whyte and Lee Hoffman. Eisener is also the show’s director and Husney is the writer.
First Looks
Quibi shared a new...
Renewals
Vice TV announced that it has renewed “Dark Side of the Ring,” a docuseries about controversies in the wrestling world, for a third season with 14 new episodes in the works. The series, which has become the highest-rated Vice TV show, documented tragedies and shocking stories within the wrestling community through its first two season. Some stories explored in Season 2 include Dino Bravo‘s murder, David Schultz‘s assault on a reporter and a freak accident involving Owen Hart. Executive producers of “Dark Side of the Ring” are Jason Eisener, Evan Husney, Vanessa Case, Catherine Whyte and Lee Hoffman. Eisener is also the show’s director and Husney is the writer.
First Looks
Quibi shared a new...
- 10/19/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Vice TV has handed wrestling docuseries Dark Side of the Ring a supersized third season.
The youth-skewing network has given its biggest original a 14 episode order for its third season – up from ten episodes on season two and six episodes for its first run.
The show, which is co-produced with Crave in Canada, will return in 2021. The order comes after Deadline revealed in April that the network was looking for more episodes after it had become a “mega-hit” for the channel, according to Morgan Hertzan, EVP & General Manager.
The second season of the series launched at the end of March with a two-part special about the story of Chris Benoit, who in 2007, killed his wife Nancy and seven year old son Daniel before hanging himself.
Other stories this season include the murder of Dino Bravo, the controversial “Brawl for All” tournament that led to career-ending injuries, the feared career of New Jack,...
The youth-skewing network has given its biggest original a 14 episode order for its third season – up from ten episodes on season two and six episodes for its first run.
The show, which is co-produced with Crave in Canada, will return in 2021. The order comes after Deadline revealed in April that the network was looking for more episodes after it had become a “mega-hit” for the channel, according to Morgan Hertzan, EVP & General Manager.
The second season of the series launched at the end of March with a two-part special about the story of Chris Benoit, who in 2007, killed his wife Nancy and seven year old son Daniel before hanging himself.
Other stories this season include the murder of Dino Bravo, the controversial “Brawl for All” tournament that led to career-ending injuries, the feared career of New Jack,...
- 10/19/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Vice TV has renewed hit professional-wrestling docuseries “Dark Side of the Ring” for a 14-episode third season, which will premiere in 2021.
We do not yet know which subjects will be covered in the supersized (Season 2 had 10 episodes) Season 3.
Last season, “Dark Side of the Ring” covered the Chris Benoit murder(s)-suicide, The Road Warriors, the murder of wrestler Dino Bravo, WWF’s “Brawl for All,” the career of hardcore wrestler New Jack, David Schultz assaulting “20/20” reporter John Stossel, the death of Jimmy Snuka’s girlfriend Nancy Argentino, Owen Hart’s tragic death at a WWF pay-per-view event and Herb Adams’ attempt to build a wrestling empire.
The Season 3 renewal news should probably come to those in the know as a formality: “Dark Side of the Ring” is Vice TV’s highest-rated show.
“‘Dark Side of the Ring’ is a knockout show for Vice TV. The tag-team executive producers...
We do not yet know which subjects will be covered in the supersized (Season 2 had 10 episodes) Season 3.
Last season, “Dark Side of the Ring” covered the Chris Benoit murder(s)-suicide, The Road Warriors, the murder of wrestler Dino Bravo, WWF’s “Brawl for All,” the career of hardcore wrestler New Jack, David Schultz assaulting “20/20” reporter John Stossel, the death of Jimmy Snuka’s girlfriend Nancy Argentino, Owen Hart’s tragic death at a WWF pay-per-view event and Herb Adams’ attempt to build a wrestling empire.
The Season 3 renewal news should probably come to those in the know as a formality: “Dark Side of the Ring” is Vice TV’s highest-rated show.
“‘Dark Side of the Ring’ is a knockout show for Vice TV. The tag-team executive producers...
- 10/19/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Owen Hart’s “Dark Side of the Ring” episode pinned down 626,000 total viewers, counting three days of DVR viewing, with 390,000 of that total coming from the key adults 18-49 demographic. Both are new ratings records for a Vice TV telecast, according to Nielsen.
Guess what the previous record-holder was? Yeah, the prior week’s “Dark Side of the Ring.”
By this point in the story, you’ve probably figured out that “Dark Side” is Vice’s most successful series in its relatively young history, and that Season 2 has outperformed Season 1.
Also Read: Owen Hart's Widow Recounts the First 'Fracture' in Her Relationship With Bret Hart
Vice TV dates back to Aug. 29, 2016.
The Season 2 finale’s overall audience tally topped the penultimate Season 2 episode by +15% in the demo and +12% in total viewers, which includes anyone 2-years-old and older.
Across the entire season, the pro-wrestling show’s second run rose +73% in the...
Guess what the previous record-holder was? Yeah, the prior week’s “Dark Side of the Ring.”
By this point in the story, you’ve probably figured out that “Dark Side” is Vice’s most successful series in its relatively young history, and that Season 2 has outperformed Season 1.
Also Read: Owen Hart's Widow Recounts the First 'Fracture' in Her Relationship With Bret Hart
Vice TV dates back to Aug. 29, 2016.
The Season 2 finale’s overall audience tally topped the penultimate Season 2 episode by +15% in the demo and +12% in total viewers, which includes anyone 2-years-old and older.
Across the entire season, the pro-wrestling show’s second run rose +73% in the...
- 5/28/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Wrestling doc series Dark Side of the Ring has become the highest rated show for Vice TV since its launch four years ago.
The season finale, which aired on May 19, averaged 390,000 live plus three viewers in the 18-49 demographic, which was 15% higher than its previous record, set by the show earlier in the season.
This included a total number of viewers of 626,000 live plus three, up 12% on the previous week’s episode, according to Nielsen. The second season was also up 73% on the first season in the 18-49 demo.
The network, which took over A+E Networks’ H2, launched as Viceland in February 2016 and was rebranded to Vice TV earlier this year.
The second season of Dark Side of the Ring, which is produced by Evan Husney and Jason Eisener at Vice Studios, consists of ten episodes, up from six for season one. The network also launched an aftershow, hosted...
The season finale, which aired on May 19, averaged 390,000 live plus three viewers in the 18-49 demographic, which was 15% higher than its previous record, set by the show earlier in the season.
This included a total number of viewers of 626,000 live plus three, up 12% on the previous week’s episode, according to Nielsen. The second season was also up 73% on the first season in the 18-49 demo.
The network, which took over A+E Networks’ H2, launched as Viceland in February 2016 and was rebranded to Vice TV earlier this year.
The second season of Dark Side of the Ring, which is produced by Evan Husney and Jason Eisener at Vice Studios, consists of ten episodes, up from six for season one. The network also launched an aftershow, hosted...
- 5/28/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“Dark Side of the Ring” is now the best-performing series in Vice TV history.
According to Nielsen Live+3 data for both seasons of the show, the series as a whole has averaged 423,000 viewers per episode with 242,000 in the adults 18-49 demographic, marking the highest marks in both measures for an original series since Vice TV launched in 2016.
Furthermore, Live+3 data through May 19 shows that the second season of the show has averaged 485,000 viewers with 288,000 in the adults 18-49 demographic. That is up 52% and 73% respectively compared to Season 1, which aired last year.
The Season 2 finale, which covered the tragic death of Owen Hart, debuted on May 19. It broke the previous Live+3 viewership and key demo records for the network, nabbing 626,000 viewers with 390,000 in adults 18-49.
“We are absolutely ecstatic with the success of ‘Dark Side of the Ring,'” said Morgan Hertzan, executive vice president and general manager of Vice Television.
According to Nielsen Live+3 data for both seasons of the show, the series as a whole has averaged 423,000 viewers per episode with 242,000 in the adults 18-49 demographic, marking the highest marks in both measures for an original series since Vice TV launched in 2016.
Furthermore, Live+3 data through May 19 shows that the second season of the show has averaged 485,000 viewers with 288,000 in the adults 18-49 demographic. That is up 52% and 73% respectively compared to Season 1, which aired last year.
The Season 2 finale, which covered the tragic death of Owen Hart, debuted on May 19. It broke the previous Live+3 viewership and key demo records for the network, nabbing 626,000 viewers with 390,000 in adults 18-49.
“We are absolutely ecstatic with the success of ‘Dark Side of the Ring,'” said Morgan Hertzan, executive vice president and general manager of Vice Television.
- 5/28/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Dark Side of the Ring from Vice, is a show that delves into the underbelly of professional wrestling, a look at the stories that are, for a variety of reasons, coated in controversy. The first season was great, but the second season, which finished airing just last week with it’s final episode, was even better. Directed by Jason Eisener who created the show alongside Evan Husney, it is an authentic and real peek behind a curtain that is rarely pulled back this much.
With Chris Jericho on board and working as the narrator, these episodes bring many tales to the conversation and each offer insight and opinion from a whole list of relevant names. The episodes included in Season Two were;
Episode 1: Benoit – Part 1 Episode 2: Benoit – Part 2 Episode 3: The Life and Crimes of New Jack Episode 4: The Brawl For All Episode 5: Jimmy Snuka and...
With Chris Jericho on board and working as the narrator, these episodes bring many tales to the conversation and each offer insight and opinion from a whole list of relevant names. The episodes included in Season Two were;
Episode 1: Benoit – Part 1 Episode 2: Benoit – Part 2 Episode 3: The Life and Crimes of New Jack Episode 4: The Brawl For All Episode 5: Jimmy Snuka and...
- 5/28/2020
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
Dark Side of the Ring has become one of Vice TV’s biggest ever series. The youth-skewing cable network is now looking to double-down on the wrestling docuseries as well as expand the franchise into new areas.
Morgan Hertzan, Evp & General Manager, Vice TV told Deadline that the show has become a “mega-hit” for the network.
More from Deadline'Dark Side Of The Ring': Vice Bodyslams S2 Opener Of Wrestling Doc Series On YouTube Ahead Of Linear LaunchShowtime Sets Season Premiere Dates For 'Billions', 'Black Monday', 'The Chi', 'Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels' & 'Vice' - TCANetflix & Pulse Films Get Legal Letter About Copyright Breach On Documentary 'Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator'
“We are eagerly looking forward to explore more ways to do more episodes of Dark Side of the Ring and Dark Side of other strands,” he said. “We also are looking at all...
Morgan Hertzan, Evp & General Manager, Vice TV told Deadline that the show has become a “mega-hit” for the network.
More from Deadline'Dark Side Of The Ring': Vice Bodyslams S2 Opener Of Wrestling Doc Series On YouTube Ahead Of Linear LaunchShowtime Sets Season Premiere Dates For 'Billions', 'Black Monday', 'The Chi', 'Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels' & 'Vice' - TCANetflix & Pulse Films Get Legal Letter About Copyright Breach On Documentary 'Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator'
“We are eagerly looking forward to explore more ways to do more episodes of Dark Side of the Ring and Dark Side of other strands,” he said. “We also are looking at all...
- 4/22/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Vice has announced that the second season of its popular series “Dark Side of the Ring” will return this month.
Season 2 of the show, which goes behind the scenes of some of the most controversial stories in pro wrestling, will debut on March 24 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. The two-hour season premiere will delve into the story of Chris Benoit, who killed his wife, Nancy, and son, Daniel, in 2007 before committing suicide. The episode will feature interview’s with Benoit’s family and friends, including his other son, David, and Sandra Toffoloni, Nancy Benoit’s sister.
The season will also feature episodes on: the murder of Dino Bravo; the “Brawl for All” tournament that led to career-ending injuries; the career of Ecw star New Jack; David Schultz’s violent run-in with a 20/20 reporter; the death of Nancy Argentino, Jimmy Snuka’s girlfirend; the story of tag team wrestling legends Hawk...
Season 2 of the show, which goes behind the scenes of some of the most controversial stories in pro wrestling, will debut on March 24 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. The two-hour season premiere will delve into the story of Chris Benoit, who killed his wife, Nancy, and son, Daniel, in 2007 before committing suicide. The episode will feature interview’s with Benoit’s family and friends, including his other son, David, and Sandra Toffoloni, Nancy Benoit’s sister.
The season will also feature episodes on: the murder of Dino Bravo; the “Brawl for All” tournament that led to career-ending injuries; the career of Ecw star New Jack; David Schultz’s violent run-in with a 20/20 reporter; the death of Nancy Argentino, Jimmy Snuka’s girlfirend; the story of tag team wrestling legends Hawk...
- 3/3/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
“Vice News Tonight” has found a new home on Viceland, the cable channel jointly owned by A+E Networks and Vice Media, the company confirmed to TheWrap.
In June, HBO canceled the nightly program, which effectively ended the two companies’ seven-year relationship. The show is set to end next month, when HBO and Vice Media’s deal expires. There is no premiere date for the new incarnation.
Jesse Angelo, who replaced Josh Tyrangiel as Vice Media’s news and entertainment chief, will spearhead the new incarnation. “Vice News Tonight” will succeed variety series “Vice Live” which was canceled after two months in April.
“Vice News Tonight” premiered on HBO beginning in 2016 and its last episode will air sometime next month. Deadline first reported the news of “Vice News Tonight” moving to Viceland.
Also Read: Viacom-CBS Merger: 'Star Trek' Fans Win, Viacom's Streaming Services Lose and More Takeaways
In July,...
In June, HBO canceled the nightly program, which effectively ended the two companies’ seven-year relationship. The show is set to end next month, when HBO and Vice Media’s deal expires. There is no premiere date for the new incarnation.
Jesse Angelo, who replaced Josh Tyrangiel as Vice Media’s news and entertainment chief, will spearhead the new incarnation. “Vice News Tonight” will succeed variety series “Vice Live” which was canceled after two months in April.
“Vice News Tonight” premiered on HBO beginning in 2016 and its last episode will air sometime next month. Deadline first reported the news of “Vice News Tonight” moving to Viceland.
Also Read: Viacom-CBS Merger: 'Star Trek' Fans Win, Viacom's Streaming Services Lose and More Takeaways
In July,...
- 8/16/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Wrestling docu-series Dark Side of the Ring is coming back for a second season after Viceland renewed the series. Production is underway for the second run, which will see Canada’s Crave come on board as a co-producer.
The news was revealed by Viceland president Guy Slattery at the TCA press tour.
The show has been handed a supersized episode order, almost double its initial run with ten-hour long episodes looking at the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring.
Dark Side of the Ring has become Viceland’s best premiere ratings in 18-49 and total viewers in the channel’s three-year history and has received support from the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The show is exec produced by producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener with Vice Studios producing for Viceland and Canada’s Bell Media for its Crave platform.
The news was revealed by Viceland president Guy Slattery at the TCA press tour.
The show has been handed a supersized episode order, almost double its initial run with ten-hour long episodes looking at the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring.
Dark Side of the Ring has become Viceland’s best premiere ratings in 18-49 and total viewers in the channel’s three-year history and has received support from the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The show is exec produced by producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener with Vice Studios producing for Viceland and Canada’s Bell Media for its Crave platform.
- 7/23/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Viceland has renewed its pro-wrestling docuseries “Dark Side of the Ring” for a supersized second season, the network’s president, Guy Slattery, announced during the Television Critics Association press tour Tuesday.
Season 2 of the series will have “almost double the initial episode order, with 10 hour-long examinations of the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring from returning executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener,” per the Vice Media and A&e-owned network.
Production has already begun on the second season, which is now a Crave Original, with Season 1 set to have its Canadian premiere this fall on Bell Media’s Crave.
Also Read: 'Dark Side of the Ring' Producer Says They Got 'So Lucky' Finding Body Doubles for Wrestler Reenactments
“We were thrilled with the positive response to Dark Side when it debuted,” Slattery said. “The enthusiasm from fans and non-fans alike was contagious.
Season 2 of the series will have “almost double the initial episode order, with 10 hour-long examinations of the collision of fantasy and reality and the stars’ larger-than-life characters in and out of the ring from returning executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener,” per the Vice Media and A&e-owned network.
Production has already begun on the second season, which is now a Crave Original, with Season 1 set to have its Canadian premiere this fall on Bell Media’s Crave.
Also Read: 'Dark Side of the Ring' Producer Says They Got 'So Lucky' Finding Body Doubles for Wrestler Reenactments
“We were thrilled with the positive response to Dark Side when it debuted,” Slattery said. “The enthusiasm from fans and non-fans alike was contagious.
- 7/23/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Finding the right actor for a role is always a difficult task. Finding the right one to be a body-double for a professional wrestler is a whole ‘nother thing. Producer Evan Husney told TheWrap he got “so lucky” when casting his reenactments for the Viceland pro-wrestling docuseries “The Dark Side of the Ring,” which debuts on Wednesday.
“Sometimes we just got so lucky,” he told us. “Obviously, we had people working super-hard to cast those people and to get it right, but at the same time we just got a lot of easy breaks.”
Like that time Husney found his “Macho Man” Randy Savage just cosplaying around New Orleans’ WrestleMania 34. Husney almost dropped his beer, which would have been another tragedy in the “Dark Side of the Ring” — a title his mom came up with, by the way — saga.
“I thought he’d come back from the dead,” Husney said,...
“Sometimes we just got so lucky,” he told us. “Obviously, we had people working super-hard to cast those people and to get it right, but at the same time we just got a lot of easy breaks.”
Like that time Husney found his “Macho Man” Randy Savage just cosplaying around New Orleans’ WrestleMania 34. Husney almost dropped his beer, which would have been another tragedy in the “Dark Side of the Ring” — a title his mom came up with, by the way — saga.
“I thought he’d come back from the dead,” Husney said,...
- 4/10/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Viceland is exploring the ugly side of the professional wrestling business with new docuseries “Dark Side of the Ring,” which features interviews with WWE alums Bret Hart, Bruce Prichard, Jim Cornette, Jake “The Snake” Roberts and more.
Narrated by legendary booker, wrestler and manager Dutch Mantell, the six-episode series will examine the collision of fantasy and reality in the singular universe of professional wrestling, the only sport whose stars’ larger-than-life characters exist in and often out of the ring, telling some of the dark and untold stories around some of the sport’s all-time greats — stories that obsess hardcore wrestling fans and will compel new viewers alike.
Viceland’s description continues:
From backstage controversies to mysterious deaths and unsolved homicides, this series explores the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling — with each episode centered on a professional wrestling icon, including the tragic love story of Randy “Macho Man” Savage and Miss Elizabeth,...
Narrated by legendary booker, wrestler and manager Dutch Mantell, the six-episode series will examine the collision of fantasy and reality in the singular universe of professional wrestling, the only sport whose stars’ larger-than-life characters exist in and often out of the ring, telling some of the dark and untold stories around some of the sport’s all-time greats — stories that obsess hardcore wrestling fans and will compel new viewers alike.
Viceland’s description continues:
From backstage controversies to mysterious deaths and unsolved homicides, this series explores the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling — with each episode centered on a professional wrestling icon, including the tragic love story of Randy “Macho Man” Savage and Miss Elizabeth,...
- 3/29/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Wrestling fans will be able to relive some of the most infamous moments and learn untold secrets with Viceland’s new docu-series, “Dark Side of the Ring.”
The six-episode series, which premieres April 10 at 9 p.m. Et., will dive into the biggest controversies from in and out of the ring involving professional wrestling’s most notorious superstars.
“Dark Side of the Ring” will examine the tragic love story between “Macho Man” Randy Savage and his former manager and wrestler Miss Elizabeth, plus the dark history of the multigenerational Von Erich wrestling family, victims of the so-called “Von Erich curse.” The show will also explore the unscripted Montreal Screwjob that stripped Bret Hart of his title, the unexplained locker room fight that led to the death of Bruiser Brody, the mistaken homicide and later-ruled drug overdose of “Gorgeous” Gino Hernandez, and the sexual misconduct and industry manipulation allegations against female star The Fabulous Moolah.
The six-episode series, which premieres April 10 at 9 p.m. Et., will dive into the biggest controversies from in and out of the ring involving professional wrestling’s most notorious superstars.
“Dark Side of the Ring” will examine the tragic love story between “Macho Man” Randy Savage and his former manager and wrestler Miss Elizabeth, plus the dark history of the multigenerational Von Erich wrestling family, victims of the so-called “Von Erich curse.” The show will also explore the unscripted Montreal Screwjob that stripped Bret Hart of his title, the unexplained locker room fight that led to the death of Bruiser Brody, the mistaken homicide and later-ruled drug overdose of “Gorgeous” Gino Hernandez, and the sexual misconduct and industry manipulation allegations against female star The Fabulous Moolah.
- 3/28/2019
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
In January 2009, software salesman James Nguyen traveled to the Sundance Film Festival to self-promote his low-budget independent horror film “Birdemic: Shock and Terror.” He handed out flyers from a beaten-up van with a stuffed bird on the antenna and covered with paper signs reading, “Bidemic.Com” (accidentally misspelled) and “Why Did The Eagles And Vultures Attacked?”
Word of mouth from horror movie websites spread around the festival and eventually the trailer was shown on G4’s “Attack of the Show.” In February of 2010, “Birdemic” had its Los Angeles premiere hosted by Tim & Eric, and it was soon picked up for distribution by Severin Films. It had a brief theatrical run in numerous cities in the United States and in Toronto, Canada from April through July.
Read More: Watch: 3-Minute Lowlight Reel Of The Worst Special Effects Ever
“Birdemic” became a cult hit among bad-movie fans, with many calling it “the worst movie ever made.
Word of mouth from horror movie websites spread around the festival and eventually the trailer was shown on G4’s “Attack of the Show.” In February of 2010, “Birdemic” had its Los Angeles premiere hosted by Tim & Eric, and it was soon picked up for distribution by Severin Films. It had a brief theatrical run in numerous cities in the United States and in Toronto, Canada from April through July.
Read More: Watch: 3-Minute Lowlight Reel Of The Worst Special Effects Ever
“Birdemic” became a cult hit among bad-movie fans, with many calling it “the worst movie ever made.
- 8/4/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Evan Husney, Creative Director at Drafthouse Films, is leaving his post after over two years with the company. He's moving on from Drafthouse to pursue a career in producing full-time. "In under three short years what we accomplished together at Drafthouse Films was nothing short of miraculous," Husney said in a statement to Indiewire. "With a small, dedicated team we achieved two Academy Award nominations [for 'Act of Killing' and 'Bullhead'] and built a brand of excellent and diverse features. Additionally, we amassed an enthusiastic fan base, proving that its possible for a distribution label to exist predicated solely on the strength of its curation. I am happy to have been a founding team member, but making the transition to producing features has been my true passion since I entered this business." Husney told Indiewire that he's currently working as co-producer on new films from Jason Eisener ("Hobo With a Shotgun") and Todd Rohal ("Catechism...
- 4/16/2014
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Today, just as the Director's Cut of the film is made available on iTunes for the first time, via distributor Drafthouse Films, "The Act of Killing" has released a BitTorrent Bundle with exclusive content."The Act of Killing has an important message. Our goal is to reach as many people as possible -- to preserve this film as a documentary, and as a testament to what happened in Indonesia. BitTorrent Bundle allows us to address a global audience of more than 170 million: to ensure that awareness of the film's message reaches beyond the Internet's censors and firewalls," said Evan Husney, Creative Director at Drafthouse Films. In "The Act of Killing," director Joshua Oppenheimer meets up with the men who led the death squads in North Sumatra in the Indonesian genocides of the mid 1960's in Indonesia, still celebrated in many parts of the country, and works with them to recreate...
- 12/31/2013
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
Drafthouse Films, the film distribution wing of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and Cinedigm have partnered to jointly acquire North American rights to the documentary "The Dog," which world premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and subsequently screened at the New York Film Festival. "The Dog" chronicles the true accounts of John Wojtowicz, whose infamous attempted Brooklyn bank heist to finance his male lover's sex-change operation was used as the inspiration for the 1975 Academy-Award nominated drama "Dog Day Afternoon." A theatrical and VOD release is scheduled for summer 2014. "Frank and Allison's comprehensive work is both a moving and hilarious one-of-a-kind portrait, serving as both a prequel and sequel to one of the greatest of all 70s American films," said Drafthouse Films Creative Director Evan Husney. "We are extremely excited for our favorite discovery from this year's Toronto International Film Festival to be our first acquisition with Cinedigm." The deal was.
- 11/3/2013
- by Ohad Amram
- Indiewire
Will you be one of the lucky ones to catch a theatrical screening of Drafthouse Films' release of the 1979 weirdo-classic The Visitor? Well your anxiety about the issue will soon be alleviated as the list of cities is finally here.
Check to see if you're gonna be having a blast of insanity on the big screen right here!
From the Press Release
Drafthouse Films announces a first-time theatrical platform release for the full-length cut of the phantasmagoric 1979 sci-fi/horror hybrid The Visitor. The film will open in a dozen cities starting Halloween weekend before rolling out into additional markets throughout November and the rest of the year. The repertory title will be hitting the big screen in major markets including Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Portland, and San Francisco. A VOD/digital and home entertainment release will follow in January, 2014.
Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon,...
Check to see if you're gonna be having a blast of insanity on the big screen right here!
From the Press Release
Drafthouse Films announces a first-time theatrical platform release for the full-length cut of the phantasmagoric 1979 sci-fi/horror hybrid The Visitor. The film will open in a dozen cities starting Halloween weekend before rolling out into additional markets throughout November and the rest of the year. The repertory title will be hitting the big screen in major markets including Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Portland, and San Francisco. A VOD/digital and home entertainment release will follow in January, 2014.
Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon,...
- 10/17/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Great news is coming in for Drafthouse Films' release of the 1979 weirdo-classic The Visitor! If you're amongst the extremely lucky, you'll actually be getting a chance to see this sliver of Seventies psycho goodness up on the big screen!
From the Press Release
Drafthouse Films announces a first-time theatrical platform release for the full-length cut of the phantasmagoric 1979 sci-fi/horror hybrid The Visitor. The film will open in a dozen cities starting Halloween weekend before rolling out into additional markets throughout November and the rest of the year. The repertory title will be hitting the big screen in major markets including Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Portland, and San Francisco. A VOD/digital and home entertainment release will follow in January, 2014.
Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon, Treasure of the Sierra Madre) stars as an intergalactic warrior battling alongside a cosmic...
From the Press Release
Drafthouse Films announces a first-time theatrical platform release for the full-length cut of the phantasmagoric 1979 sci-fi/horror hybrid The Visitor. The film will open in a dozen cities starting Halloween weekend before rolling out into additional markets throughout November and the rest of the year. The repertory title will be hitting the big screen in major markets including Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Portland, and San Francisco. A VOD/digital and home entertainment release will follow in January, 2014.
Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon, Treasure of the Sierra Madre) stars as an intergalactic warrior battling alongside a cosmic...
- 10/9/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
What do legendary directors John Huston and Sam Peckinpah, Poseidon Adventure actress Shelley Winters, Lance Henriksen, a “cosmic Christ figure,” a demonic eight year old girl, and the fate of the universe have in common? They all feature in the obscure 1979 sci-fi-horror film The Visitor, which Drafthouse Films has announced it will rerelease in remastered form this Halloween weekend (a VOD/digital and home entertainment release will follow in January of next year.)
I can’t claim to have seen The Visitor myself. But Drafthouse Films creative director Evan Husney describes the film as having “the highest Jdpm (jaw-drops-per-minute) ratio...
I can’t claim to have seen The Visitor myself. But Drafthouse Films creative director Evan Husney describes the film as having “the highest Jdpm (jaw-drops-per-minute) ratio...
- 10/9/2013
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside Movies
Let me just say that typing this post up has be ecstatic beyond belief. I believe it was my friend Ed Demko, who you may remember from the 42nd Minute segments on the ol’ podcast, who introduced this film to me. The title I saw it under was Angel of Vengeance. It was a French DVD that I had imported as it was the only DVD release of the film. I was blown away by what I saw. It was dark, dirty, unapologetic and seemed to have no “law” to the film. I loved it. Last year, I tried booking the film for our Late Nite Grindhouse program by securing a 35mm print. Sadly, it fell through and I didn’t get to show this little seen classic. Now, those words “little seen” will hopefully be eradicated as celluoid champions Drafthouse Films have picked up the film for an official...
- 10/8/2013
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
Drafthouse Films has picked up North American rights to Abel Ferrara’s 1981 classic revenge thriller Ms. 45.
The film follows a mute seamstress played by the late Zoë Lund who embarks on a homicidal rampage against New York City’s entire male population after she is attacked.
The film has been remastered in HD from the original negative materials and will open in theatres in December and debut on DVD and Blu-ray uncut for the first time in North America.
“One of the primary missions with Drafthouse Films is to build a selection of films which destroy the barriers between art-house and grindhouse,” said creative director Evan Husney, “and Abel Ferrara’s work embodies just that. Ms. 45 is one of those fringe 80s films that has been somewhat marginalised as pure exploitation, so we are beyond thrilled to reintroduce it to a new audience of cinephiles.”
Husney and James Emanuel Shapiro of Drafthouse Films brokered the deal...
The film follows a mute seamstress played by the late Zoë Lund who embarks on a homicidal rampage against New York City’s entire male population after she is attacked.
The film has been remastered in HD from the original negative materials and will open in theatres in December and debut on DVD and Blu-ray uncut for the first time in North America.
“One of the primary missions with Drafthouse Films is to build a selection of films which destroy the barriers between art-house and grindhouse,” said creative director Evan Husney, “and Abel Ferrara’s work embodies just that. Ms. 45 is one of those fringe 80s films that has been somewhat marginalised as pure exploitation, so we are beyond thrilled to reintroduce it to a new audience of cinephiles.”
Husney and James Emanuel Shapiro of Drafthouse Films brokered the deal...
- 10/8/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
And the video obscurities keep on coming as yet another classic film is being fully restored by the great and wondrous folks behind Drafthouse Films. That's right, kids! The Visitor is getting ready to resurface! Read on for details!
From the Press Release
Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced today the acquisition of North American rights to '70s phantasmagoric sci-fi/horror/action/??? hybrid The Visitor. Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon; Treasure Of The Sierra Madre) stars as an intergalactic warriorbattling alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic eight-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. A new HD restoration from the original film materials is planned for a theatrical, home video and multi Video On Demand/Digital platform release later in the year.
In the dawn of '70s American blockbusters,...
From the Press Release
Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced today the acquisition of North American rights to '70s phantasmagoric sci-fi/horror/action/??? hybrid The Visitor. Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon; Treasure Of The Sierra Madre) stars as an intergalactic warriorbattling alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic eight-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. A new HD restoration from the original film materials is planned for a theatrical, home video and multi Video On Demand/Digital platform release later in the year.
In the dawn of '70s American blockbusters,...
- 6/20/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Drafthouse Films announced that they’ve acquired distribution rights to 1979′s The Visitor and are planning an HD restoration and release of the movie:
Austin, TX – Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 – Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced today the acquisition of North American rights to ’70s phantasmagoric sci-fi/horror/action/??? hybrid The Visitor. Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon; Treasure Of The Sierra Madre) stars as an intergalactic warriorbattling alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic eight-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. A new HD restoration from the original film materials is planned for a theatrical, home video and multi Video On Demand/Digital platform release later in the year.
In the dawn of ’70s American blockbusters, European production companies emerged stateside, attempting to recreate box office gold by cloning Hollywood. The...
Austin, TX – Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 – Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced today the acquisition of North American rights to ’70s phantasmagoric sci-fi/horror/action/??? hybrid The Visitor. Legendary Hollywood director/actor John Huston (The Maltese Falcon; Treasure Of The Sierra Madre) stars as an intergalactic warriorbattling alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic eight-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. A new HD restoration from the original film materials is planned for a theatrical, home video and multi Video On Demand/Digital platform release later in the year.
In the dawn of ’70s American blockbusters, European production companies emerged stateside, attempting to recreate box office gold by cloning Hollywood. The...
- 6/19/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse cinema chain, has announced plans to rerelease the infamously nuts, 1979 sci-fi/horror/action movie, The Visitor. The movie stars legendary film director John Huston (The Maltese Falcon) as — per the official synopsis — “an intergalactic warrior battling alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic eight-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance.” (Now, that is something I might be tempted to pay $50 to see on the big screen, particularly as Huston’s costars include Shelley Winters, Lance Henriksen, Franco, Nero, and his fellow director,...
- 6/19/2013
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside Movies
Drafthouse Films has acquired North American rights to Jeff Howlett and Mark Covino's rock documentary "A Band Called Death" ahead of its screening at the upcoming SXSW Film Festival in the 24 Beats Per Second category. The film world premiered at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival. The documentary chronicles the rebirth and rise to cult stardom of early '70s African-American "proto-punk" trio Death. "Howlett and Covino's film rewrites punk history and also transforms a better-than-fiction music story into a moving, emotional story," said Drafthouse Films Creative Director Evan Husney. "We are thrilled to be introducing the legacy of Death to audiences around the country." Producer Matthew Perniciaro added, "I attended my first screening at the original Alamo Drafthouse more than ten years ago and am very excited all these years later to be working with Drafthouse Films. Their passion for this film has been...
- 2/26/2013
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
This month, Drafthouse Films is rereleasing an obscure ’80s martial-arts action film called Miami Connection in the hope of turning it into a midnight-movie-style cult phenomenon. But when one of the film’s stars, a tae kwon do guru named Y.K. Kim, met Drafthouse Films creative director Evan Husney before a screening at the New York Asian Film Festival this past July, he seemed pessimistic about the film’s chances of success. Says Kim, “I asked him, first thing, ‘Why did you buy this trash?’”
Miami Connection has long been a source of shame for Kim, who — in addition to his acting duties — cowrote,...
Miami Connection has long been a source of shame for Kim, who — in addition to his acting duties — cowrote,...
- 11/9/2012
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside Movies
Drafthouse Films has acquired U.S. rights to Joshua Oppenheimer's The Act of Killing documentary Chronicling one of the most overlooked genocides in recent history. The deal was negotiated by James Emanuel Shapiro, Evan Husney and Tim League on behalf of Drafthouse Films, as well as Philippa Kowarsky of Cinephil, on behalf of the film's producer Signe Byrge Sørense. The Act Of Killing utilizes dramatization to illustrate the banal state of corruption and impunity the unrepentant, locally celebrated former executioners inhabit. The film earned early praise from master documentarians Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Into The Abyss) and Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line, The Fog Of War), whose enthusiasm for the film lead to their role as Executive Producers. "I have not seen a film as powerful, surreal, and frightening in at least a decade," says Herzog, "it is unprecedented in the history of cinema." Morris adds, "like all great documentaries,...
- 10/31/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Drafthouse Films has acquired U.S. rights to Joshua Oppenheimer's The Act of Killing documentary Chronicling one of the most overlooked genocides in recent history. The deal was negotiated by James Emanuel Shapiro, Evan Husney and Tim League on behalf of Drafthouse Films, as well as Philippa Kowarsky of Cinephil, on behalf of the film's producer Signe Byrge Sørense. The Act Of Killing utilizes dramatization to illustrate the banal state of corruption and impunity the unrepentant, locally celebrated former executioners inhabit. The film earned early praise from master documentarians Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Into The Abyss) and Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line, The Fog Of War), whose enthusiasm for the film lead to their role as Executive Producers. "I have not seen a film as powerful, surreal, and frightening in at least a decade," says Herzog, "it is unprecedented in the history of cinema." Morris adds, "like all great documentaries,...
- 10/31/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
For the beginning of this epic journey, please refer to Part OneIt was when we came over the hill to the bus that I caught my first glimpse of some of the heavies with whom we'd be traveling. There was Evan Husney, director of Drafthouse Films, who had spent the last week or so toting the film's stars around the country on their "Tour de Pressy". The stars, Casper Christensen and Frank Hvam, were also in attendance, which was one of the major selling points for the tickets in the first place. The opportunity to canoe down the mighty Guadalupe with these supposed experts was certainly a big draw in my case. Last, but most certainly not least, was Alamo Drafthouse head honcho and...
- 7/23/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Los Angeles -- Midnight movies are supposed to be fun.
They're supposed to be giddy gatherings of the most excited fans who can't wait to have the images flicker across their faces first – whether it's at a 12:01 a.m. showing of a wildly anticipated blockbuster or infamous schlock that's achieved a cult following and is best viewed during the weird, wee hours.
That thrill was shattered early Friday morning when a man unleashed his arsenal upon an audience at the first showing of the hotly awaited new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises," at a theater in Aurora, Colo., killing at least 12 and injuring 58 others.
It's still unclear what the motive might have been for the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes – whether the time or the content of the film itself might have been factors in this deadly spree. But for now, the purity of that sense of enthusiasm – both...
They're supposed to be giddy gatherings of the most excited fans who can't wait to have the images flicker across their faces first – whether it's at a 12:01 a.m. showing of a wildly anticipated blockbuster or infamous schlock that's achieved a cult following and is best viewed during the weird, wee hours.
That thrill was shattered early Friday morning when a man unleashed his arsenal upon an audience at the first showing of the hotly awaited new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises," at a theater in Aurora, Colo., killing at least 12 and injuring 58 others.
It's still unclear what the motive might have been for the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes – whether the time or the content of the film itself might have been factors in this deadly spree. But for now, the purity of that sense of enthusiasm – both...
- 7/21/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
"Wake in Fright" goes to Drafthouse Films for Us theatrical release after many thought it was lost. The thriller is considered a landmark film in the development of modern Australian cinema; it first debuted at Cannes in 1971 where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or. In 2009, guest-curator Martin Scorsese brought a restoration back to the fest. Directed by Ted Kotcheff ("Rambo: First Blood"), the film will be released fully restored at New York's Film Forum on October 5 and Los Angeles' Nuart Theater October 19. It will expand and be available on VOD in early 2013. The story follows a British schoolteacher's "descent into personal demoralization at the hands of drunken, deranged derelicts while stranded in a small town in outback Australia." Drafthouse's Evan Husney states that Kotcheff's "masterwork" is one of their favorites, calling it a "stunning and dreadfully creepy film inspired a generation of...
- 7/19/2012
- by Sophia Savage
- Thompson on Hollywood
Sneak Peek a new poster supporting The Trost Bros' video game comedy "The Fp," set in a dystopian near future where a relentless turf war rages :
"...two rival gangs feud for control of rural wasteland 'Frazier Park' in the deadly arena of the competitive dance video game 'Beat-Beat Revelation'."
"'The Fp' is an ambitious, explosive and hilarious indie film achievement,” said Evan Husney of distributor Drafthouse Films, “and we are delighted to expose the Trost’s warped vision..."
"There is no better place to release our mutant spawn into the world than with Drafthouse Films", said co-director/cinematographer Brandon Trost.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Fp"...
"...two rival gangs feud for control of rural wasteland 'Frazier Park' in the deadly arena of the competitive dance video game 'Beat-Beat Revelation'."
"'The Fp' is an ambitious, explosive and hilarious indie film achievement,” said Evan Husney of distributor Drafthouse Films, “and we are delighted to expose the Trost’s warped vision..."
"There is no better place to release our mutant spawn into the world than with Drafthouse Films", said co-director/cinematographer Brandon Trost.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Fp"...
- 1/31/2012
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
New Doc Will Chronicle Infamous ’80s Exploitation
Production Outfit From Acclaimed Director Mark Hartley
Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the world-famous Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced today the acquisition of all Us rights to Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story Of Cannon Films from world-wide sales agent Celluloid Nightmares. From acclaimed cult film documentarian Mark Hartley (Not Quite Hollywood, Machete Maidens Unleashed), the film centers on the story of two Israeli-born, movie-obsessed cousins, Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, who in pursuit of the “American dream” launched an indie studio that would produce over 120 exploitation films from 1979-1989 turning a renegade outfit into the proclaimed “seventh Hollywood major.” The film is currently in pre-production in Australia with Producer Veronica Fury and Executive Producers Xyz Films (upcoming Sony Pictures release The Raid). A theatrical release is being planned for late 2012 to coincide with a traveling roadshow retrospective of Cannon’s seminal films.
Production Outfit From Acclaimed Director Mark Hartley
Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the world-famous Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced today the acquisition of all Us rights to Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story Of Cannon Films from world-wide sales agent Celluloid Nightmares. From acclaimed cult film documentarian Mark Hartley (Not Quite Hollywood, Machete Maidens Unleashed), the film centers on the story of two Israeli-born, movie-obsessed cousins, Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, who in pursuit of the “American dream” launched an indie studio that would produce over 120 exploitation films from 1979-1989 turning a renegade outfit into the proclaimed “seventh Hollywood major.” The film is currently in pre-production in Australia with Producer Veronica Fury and Executive Producers Xyz Films (upcoming Sony Pictures release The Raid). A theatrical release is being planned for late 2012 to coincide with a traveling roadshow retrospective of Cannon’s seminal films.
- 12/1/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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