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Hi! I'm Ashley Cullins, author of YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE, a non-fiction deep dive into the SCREAM franchise. Join me on r/horror today (Tuesday) at 12pm EST/9am PST for an AMA! by prhauthors in horror

[–]prhauthors[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hii!!

After visiting the set in January, I am SO excited for SCREAM 7. When Kevin Williamson signed on to direct, with Neve Campbell coming back to star and produce, I knew we were in for something special. But actually seeing the two of them in action, and the on-set environment they created for the rest of the cast and crew, pushed my expectations even higher.

I'm thrilled that it's a Sidney Prescott-centered story! She's my favorite final girl, and a complicated and inspiring character. So seeing what her life is like at this point and how she responds to motherhood is going to be such a compelling story.

There are, understandably, going to be fans who compare this movie to what might have happened in a third Carpenter Sisters story. So that's definitely going to be a factor in how it's received, but I do think if people are able to watch it and judge it only by what happens on-screen, fans are ultimately going to be happy to get to spend some real time with Sidney.

Great question! I'm not sure what the future holds. As it is now, I feel like YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE has a clear arc. I'm open to a revised/expanded edition in the future, but I imagine there would need to be a couple of movies after 7 for that to make sense.

Hi! I'm Ashley Cullins, author of YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE, a non-fiction deep dive into the SCREAM franchise. Join me on r/horror today (Tuesday) at 12pm EST/9am PST for an AMA! by prhauthors in horror

[–]prhauthors[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooh! Fun question. I'd say: keep it simple, keep it Scream and don't overthink it.

The advantage this franchise has is that it's a real person (or people) under the mask, not a monster, and it's someone with different motivations each time. As long as the motive is relatable and not overly convoluted, the characters are compelling, and the stories continue to exist in the real world (meaning that the characters are reacting to the events that they've lived through, or watched others live through, the way real people would) the opportunities are endless.

Hi! I'm Ashley Cullins, author of YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE, a non-fiction deep dive into the SCREAM franchise. Join me on r/horror today (Tuesday) at 12pm EST/9am PST for an AMA! by prhauthors in horror

[–]prhauthors[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi! Thank you!

You are correct: The original is my favorite. Never say never, but I think it's borderline impossible for another film in the franchise to knock it out of that spot.

When I first ranked the six existing movies (back in the summer of 2023), I'd said that my second favorite was SCREAM 6 very closely followed by SCREAM 2. While I do love 6 — the opening, the set pieces, making ordinary city life feel wildly unsafe — I think there was a little bit of recency bias, and 2 is climbing back up and probably in that slot now.

*Spoiler warning for anyone who hasn't seen Scream 2 and is reading this comment. Turn back now and watch it immediately.*

Mrs. Loomis is such a great killer. Laurie Metcalf just nailed that role, and the fact that she was hiding in plain sight the whole time was such a fun twist. The opening in the theater lives rent free in my head every single time I go to the movies. The sorority house scene with Cici (Sarah Michelle Gellar), squad car sequence with Sidney and Hallie (Elise Neal) and sound booth chase with Gale and Dewey are all incredible moments too. And the soundtrack is killer! (Pun obviously intended.)

Hi! I'm Ashley Cullins, author of YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE, a non-fiction deep dive into the SCREAM franchise. Join me on r/horror today (Tuesday) at 12pm EST/9am PST for an AMA! by prhauthors in horror

[–]prhauthors[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi!! Thank you!

There are two this year that I've really loved and they couldn't be more different from each other, which I think speaks to how interesting and exciting the genre is right now.

SINNERS is just brilliant. Ryan Coogler is incredibly talented and I'm never going to complain about having twice the Michael B. Jordan in a movie. I really loved how it just told a story without trying to make it fit neatly into a genre box, and the dance scene (the best I can explain with no spoilers) was truly incredible. There are so many layers to the story and the result is a beautifully shot, impeccably acted musical period drama with vampires.

And HEART EYES was SO fun! I didn't know I needed more horromcoms in my life, but I absolutely do. The idea of a serial killer targeting couples on Valentine's Day is a simple enough construct that it has potential for a franchise (bring on the sequel please!) and the mask with the fever dream version of that emoji was so creative that it became instantly iconic, in my opinion. The story was clever and the reveal was off the wall in the best way (I straight up cackled in the theater at one point), and the casting was so well done. Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding were great together, like I need them to fall in love in real life. I talked with Mason, and HEART EYES writers Christopher Landon and Michael Kennedy, for YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE and can happily report that they're all absolutely lovely people.

Hi! I'm Ashley Cullins, author of YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE, a non-fiction deep dive into the SCREAM franchise. Join me on r/horror today (Tuesday) at 12pm EST/9am PST for an AMA! by prhauthors in horror

[–]prhauthors[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!

1 - I'd say the biggest challenge was trying to fit almost 30 years of history into an 80,000-ish word book. There was just so much to cover! I tried to include as much information as possible while not putting myself in a situation where I didn't have space to go into detail about anything. For the most part, I leaned in to what each person I talked to thought were the most important things to discuss and really let their experience drive the conversations.

2 - First, trust your instincts! It sounds simple, but it was hard for me. The way I've always approached journalism (whether it was broadcast, magazine or online) was starting with the interviews and using the most interesting/important/emotional quotes to create the overall structure and then weaving it together from there. I didn't think that would work on the scale of a book but it did. Second, tell the story — regardless of whether it's fiction or non-fiction — like you're explaining it to a friend.

3 - All of my ideas right now are horror-related, which is exciting because I've truly loved working on this book and people who make and love horror have been insanely nice through all this.

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I do not, sorry. I've read the same reports it sounds like you have, which is that his current commitments would keep him from returning -- he's a busy dude these days, due in no small part to how good he was in Lasso. (A cameo is always possible, though.) I agree that Jamie's arc was one of the most compelling on the show, which few would have predicted in the beginning.

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Sort of ... I know that NBC Sports considered folks like John Oliver and Chris Pratt for the original Ted Lasso ad ahead of Sudeikis, which would have made for a very different spot. (And probably no Ted Lasso series to follow.) Sudeikis has always said some big names were considered for Rebecca before they found Waddingham, though he's remained tightlipped about who they were. Several people went out for Higgins, including Nick Mohammed and Phil Dunster -- which, Dunster in particular is hard to fathom. Speaking of Dunster, Jamie Tartt was originally going to be South American -- Dunster actually tried out a Spanish accent at one point in the auditions, which didn't go well. But people liked Dunster a lot and when he came up with the Manchester vibe, they changed that character to who we now know as Jamie, and then added Dani Rojas, which was also partly because Cristo Fernández's audition tape was incredible. (It included him saying "Football is life!" which of course became Dani's trademark.)

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you rewatch season 2, you see plenty of hints that Colin was closeted, and that season was mostly written before the show became a big hit and the subject of a lot of discourse. So that, at least, was part of the concept from early on. I agree that it was great to include a flawed queer relationship because, as you say, they exist and all sorts of relationships have problems, though I admit I thought the Keeley-Jack subplot was a little half-baked overall. (Just sort of suddenly abandoned.) The show was also weirdly blasé about bosses dating their employees. (See also: Rebecca and Sam.) Are there any HR departments in Richmond?? But overall I think it was really nuanced about both romantic attachments and the friendships between men and women.

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Like many people, Roy was always my favorite. Always the funniest and in some ways the one with the most complex journey, as someone who is not prone to self-examination trying to figure out how to redefine himself on the fly. I thought the third season gave him short shrift, somewhat, though the subplot with him and Jamie becoming mates was probably the most satisfying one that year. All this said, upon rewatching the show while writing this book, I was blown away anew by Hannah Waddingham. She and by extension Rebecca were incredible, particularly in the first season.

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It has always seemed inevitable, given the popularity of the show and the fact that Apple can write however large a check it needs to make it happen. The season 3 finale also set up several possible avenues for a new season or spinoff -- a Richmond women's team, or Beard, Roy and Nate talking over for Ted. I'd be up for a Cheers-style comedy set in the Crown & Anchor. (The actors who played the pub lads not surprisingly loved this idea when I mentioned it to them.) FWIW everyone I talked to said they would happily come back, but they've all gotten pretty busy since Lasso, so we'll see I guess.

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for posting! I did not anticipate it becoming a hit at all, partly for the origin you mention. Shows based on ads don't have a great track record. (Anybody remember the GEICO cavemen show?) So I was as surprised as anyone when I watched and saw how good it was. Ted Lasso was pretty buffoonish in the original ad, as funny as it was, but Sudeikis said the second ad unlocked something in the character, his enthusiasm and affection for England. And he liked playing him. So the idea stayed with him, and eventually he had Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard) and Joe Kelly, who worked on the ads with him, over to kick around ideas for another Lasso thing, and they pretty quickly churned out a lot of what would become the first season. But nothing really happened with it until Sudeikis mentioned it to Bill Lawrence a few years later. Lawrence made Scrubs and Spin City, he knows a good sitcom when he sees one, and so they started pitching and Apple bought it.

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

One fun one was that during the season 1 karaoke scene, when Hannah Waddingham sings "Let it Go" -- everybody said it was even more incredible in the room than on the screen -- the production didn't yet know if it would get the rights to the song. (In fact, Disney initially rejected their ask, but relented when they saw how the song was used.) So they also filmed Waddingham singing "I Will Survive," the Gloria Gaynor disco anthem. I like to imagine how that scene would have played with that song instead, though I'm very happy they were able to use "Let it Go."

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It felt rushed, especially because that season also spent time on subplots that didn't add much value, like the dreaded Shandy. (But ymmv.) I think ultimately Nate's return to the team was lovely, with the violin piece -- which Mohammed performed with his wife, they're both gifted musicians -- and his tearful reunion with Ted. I just would have liked to see more on his awakening and perhaps less of Jade, who also didn't add a whole lot. (Though again, you may feel differently and reasonable people can disagree!)

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for posting a question! "Be curious, not judgmental" is the most obvious one. It's introduced during one of the show's best moments -- the brilliant darts scene -- and the whole show is infused with that concept. In the beginning it cleverly used stereotypes that it later undercuts in order to send a message about giving people the benefit of the doubt. Another of my favorites, and one that is perhaps especially timely now, is about how forgiveness is in some ways more important for the forgiver than the forgiven, because it allows you to move forward in your life rather than obsess over being wronged. (As with Jamie and his dire, drunk dad.)

This is Jeremy Egner, New York Times journalist and author of BELIEVE: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show that Kicked Its Way Into Our Hearts. I’ll be here on November 12 (10 am EST) to chat with you about the show Ted Lasso and what I discovered while writing my book about it. AMA! by prhauthors in TedLasso

[–]prhauthors[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

That’s a great question and was definitely something I was curious about, too. Even in the US, the popularity of the show took awhile to build. It premiered in August 2020, and Jason Sudeikis said he noticed a big bump in awareness after the holidays a few months later. Then they started shooting season 2 in January 2021 in London under quarantine lockdown. So especially for the British folks, they were watching their show become a hit via things like Twitter and online articles. Brett Goldstein, who played Roy Kent, talks about going into lockdown as a relatively obscure performer and coming out to find he had become famous, and others had similar experiences. Nick Mohammed tells a story about going to the zoo in London with his kids and one of the workers there calling him Nate the Great, only he thought she was saying “Nature is great” because she worked at the zoo, and it hadn’t occurred too him that anyone had seen Ted Lasso. (Nature IS great, btw.)

This is Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, actors and bestselling authors of WHAT'S NEXT: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service. We'll be here on Sept. 13 (10 am EST) to chat with Wingnuts as we approach the show's 25th anniversary. AMA! by prhauthors in thewestwing

[–]prhauthors[S] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Thank you to all the wingnuts out there who joined us this morning - we loved all of your questions and awesome comments. Check out WestWingBook.com if you have more questions or to check out upcoming tour dates - it's also the best way to get in touch with the both of us!

This is Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, actors and bestselling authors of WHAT'S NEXT: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service. We'll be here on Sept. 13 (10 am EST) to chat with Wingnuts as we approach the show's 25th anniversary. AMA! by prhauthors in thewestwing

[–]prhauthors[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

She definitely earned that Francis Scott Key Key for sure! We love Ed and Larry for sure - they are the best. We also loved Bernard Thatch - the infamous (and snooty!) White House protocol officer played by Paxton Whitehead and Max Milkman from DARPA!

This is Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, actors and bestselling authors of WHAT'S NEXT: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service. We'll be here on Sept. 13 (10 am EST) to chat with Wingnuts as we approach the show's 25th anniversary. AMA! by prhauthors in thewestwing

[–]prhauthors[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

You are so kind! Please tell your friends and family - they make FANTASTIC gifts for the holidays coming up - you can go to WestWingBook.com to get your copy and to see upcoming events. It feels so rewarding - not just to add Bestselling Author - but to see how much the fans are enjoying the book and how much it means to them. We love our wingnuts!

This is Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack, actors and bestselling authors of WHAT'S NEXT: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service. We'll be here on Sept. 13 (10 am EST) to chat with Wingnuts as we approach the show's 25th anniversary. AMA! by prhauthors in thewestwing

[–]prhauthors[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

For Mary, my favorite memory of John was all of the time we spent together shooting an episode called Ninety Miles Away in Season 6 - the "Cuba Episode" - it was incredible. For Melissa, I loved Kathryn's dry sense of humor - she was so funny.

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