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George & Tammy

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George & Tammy is an American biographical drama miniseries created by Abe Sylvia and directed by John Hillcoat, which premiered on Paramount Network, Showtime and CMT on December 4, 2022, with Showtime as its primary network. It stars Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon as country musicians Tammy Wynette and George Jones, chronicling their tumultuous relationship and intertwined careers.

George & Tammy
Genre
Created byAbe Sylvia
Based onThe Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George
by Georgette Jones
Directed byJohn Hillcoat
Starring
Opening theme"The World's Most Broken Heart" by Tammy Wynette
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
CinematographyIgor Martinovic
EditorKatharine McQuerrey
Production companies
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseDecember 4, 2022 (2022-12-04) –
January 8, 2023 (2023-01-08)

The series received a positive critical reception, particularly for the performances of Chastain and Shannon. For her role, Chastain received a nomination for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film at the 80th Golden Globe Awards and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie at the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards.[1][2]

Cast and characters

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Production

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Development

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In February 2016, Josh Brolin announced that he and Chastain would play George Jones and Tammy Wynette in a biographical film.[3] In September 2020, it was announced the film would instead be a limited series, based on the book The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George by Georgette Jones, with Brolin no longer attached, instead serving as an executive producer.[4] John Hillcoat will direct all six episodes of the series.[5] Chastain's production company, Freckle Films is set to executive produce.

Casting

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Upon the limited series announcement, Chastain was set to star as Tammy Wynette with Josh Brolin as George Jones.[4] In December 2021, it was announced that Michael Shannon would replace Brolin due to scheduling conflicts and Steve Zahn was to play George Richey.[5][6][7] In January 2022, Kelly McCormack and Katy Mixon joined the cast of the series, in guest starring roles.[8]

Filming

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Principal photography began on December 8, 2021, at the EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina[9][10]

Music

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Chastain and Shannon recorded their own vocals for the show and performed them live on set. When comparing the experience to her work as Tammy Faye in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Chastain explained that she found recording Wynette's songs more intimidating than any of Bakker's catalogue. Both actors worked with vocal coach Ron Browning for months prior to filming, with Shannon stating “These songs, they’re pretty deep and they’ve got some dark corners in them, and we spent a lot of time with them. In addition to learning how to sing them, I think they also kind of taught us about who the people were and the story we were telling.”[11] The songs were produced by T Bone Burnett and Rachael Moore and both actors talked about how the focus was not on doing an impersonation of Jones or Wynette but of capturing certain aspects of their personality and conveying this during their performances.[12] A soundtrack featuring songs from the show was released digitally from Sony Masterworks on December 16, 2022.[13]

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"The Race Is On"John HillcoatAbe SylviaDecember 4, 2022 (2022-12-04)0.179[14]
In 1967, George Jones has become infamous for missing shows due to his alcoholism. Virginia Pugh, having experienced some success on the country charts as Tammy Wynette, rushes to see him perform at the Grand Ole Opry with her husband, Don. Tammy's producer Billy Sherrill introduces Tammy to George, who agrees to have her open for him on tour, causing conflict between Tammy and Don, who pushes her to pitch his song "When the Grass Grows Over Me" for Jones to record. George watches Tammy perform "Apartment No. 9" during a soundcheck and connects to her emotional lyrics and vocal delivery. Before one of their shows, Tammy cleans up a hungover George and Don overhears him telling her that he knows she is unhappy in her marriage and accuses Don of using her talent to further his own career. In response, Don fires Tammy's band and leaves, though Jones allows Tammy to use his band as a replacement and joins her onstage to perform "Why Baby Why". Returning home, Tammy promises Don that nothing happened between her and George, who subsequently records "When the Grass Grows Over Me". At a dinner party, Don tries to assert dominance over George, who then taunts him by singing "D-I-V-O-R-C-E". When Don starts insulting Tammy, the pair begin to fight, and Tammy chooses to take her children and leave Don with George.
2"Stand by Your Man"John HillcoatAbe SylviaDecember 11, 2022 (2022-12-11)0.166[15]
In a flashback to 1965, Tammy receives electric shock treatment after being committed to a psychiatric hospital by her mother for trying to leave her first husband. As word spreads around Nashville that George and Tammy are together, Billy Sherrill convinces George to leave his producer Pappy Daily so that he and Tammy can both be on Epic Records and they subsequently record their first duet: "Take Me". George confesses that he is afraid people will not accept their relationship but Tammy promises him they will be together forever and they marry. Their relationship gains significant media attention and causes a resurgence in George's career. George Richey reveals that Tammy's divorce from Don wasn't legal so Billy hires a lawyer to take care of it. Don later ambushes Tammy and blackmails her to pitch more of his songs to George using naked pictures he took of her, though George ultimately discovers this, attacks Don and burns the pictures. Tammy is angry when George buys a house without consulting her but he reveals that he gave their other home and all of his money to Pappy so that he could be with her on Epic. George's alcoholism continues to cause problems and he becomes violent towards Tammy. Billy then reveals that Tammy's marriage to Don was annulled because she did not wait long enough after divorcing her first husband so her marriage to George is legal after all. Tammy discloses her experiences with her first husband and George promises to quit drinking if she stays with him. Tammy and Billy subsequently write "Stand by Your Man".
3"We're Gonna Hold On"John HillcoatSheri Holman and Bryan GoluboffDecember 18, 2022 (2022-12-18)0.264[16]
4"The Grand Tour"John HillcoatBecky ModeDecember 25, 2022 (2022-12-25)0.210[17]
5"Two Story House"John HillcoatLindsey Villarreal and Sheri Holman & Abe SylviaJanuary 1, 2023 (2023-01-01)0.056[18]
6"Justified & Ancient"John HillcoatAbe Sylvia & Sheri HolmanJanuary 8, 2023 (2023-01-08)N/A

Reception

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Critical response

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The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 84% approval rating with an average rating of 6.9/10, based on 32 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "George & Tammy may not have the staying power of the classic songs recorded by its subjects, but this biopic benefits from a pair of well-matched and supremely committed leads."[19] On Metacritic the series holds a score of 71 based on 23 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2023
 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Jessica Chastain Nominated [21]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Jessica Chastain Won [22]
Set Decorators Society of America Awards Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Television Movie or Limited Series James V. Kent and Jonah Markowitz Nominated [23]
3rd Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series George & Tammy Nominated [24]
Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series or TV Movie Michael Shannon Won
Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or TV Movie Jessica Chastain Won
Best Casting in a Limited Series or TV Movie George & Tammy Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Michael Shannon Nominated [25]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Jessica Chastain Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Igor Martinovic Nominated
Outstanding Period Costumes Mitchell Travers, Mitchel Wolf, Laurel Rose, Aileen Abercrombie, Susan Russell and Charles Carter Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Golden Globes 2023: The nominations in full". BBC News. December 12, 2022. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "Key moments from the SAGs: 'Everything Everywhere,' Jessica Chastain, Ariana DeBose". Los Angeles Times. February 27, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (February 4, 2016). "Josh Brolin Says He's Starring With Jessica Chastain In A Movie About George Jones & Tammy Wynette". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  4. ^ a b White, Peter (September 10, 2020). "Jessica Chastain To Play Tammy Wynette In Limited Series For Spectrum, ViacomCBS Streamer & Paramount Network". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 7, 2021). "Michael Shannon Duets With Jessica Chastain In 'George & Tammy'; John Hillcoat Directing Limited Series On George Jones & Tammy Wynette Marriage". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  6. ^ "Josh Brolin on Owing 'Jonah Hex' Co-Stars an Apology and Finding His 'Almost Famous' Audition Tape". 31 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  7. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (December 8, 2021). "Steve Zahn To Play Tammy Wynette Husband & Manager George Richey In 'George & Tammy'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  8. ^ White, Peter (January 24, 2022). "'George & Tammy': Kelly McCormack & Katy Mixon Join Spectrum & Paramount Network Country Music Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  9. ^ Freckle Film [@frecklefilms] (December 8, 2021). "Day 1 in the books ☑️ #GeorgeAndTammy". Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via Instagram.
  10. ^ "Extras needed for Paramount's locally filmed mini-series 'George and Tammy'". Port City Daily. December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Ford, Rebecca (October 6, 2022). "See Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon as Country Music's King and Queen in 'George & Tammy'". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Willman, Chris (December 4, 2022). "Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon Reveal Secrets of Learning to Sing Like Country's Royal Couple in 'George & Tammy'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "Soundtrack Album for Showtime's 'George & Tammy' to Be Released". Film Music Reporter. December 15, 2022. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  14. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 6, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 12.4.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  15. ^ Salem, Mitch (December 13, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 12.11.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  16. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 20, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 12.18.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  17. ^ Salem, Mitch (December 28, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 12.25.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  18. ^ Salem, Mitch (January 4, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Sunday 1.1.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  19. ^ "George & Tammy: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  20. ^ "George & Tammy: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  21. ^ Petski, Denise; Hipes, Patrick (December 12, 2022). "Golden Globe Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022.
  22. ^ Rosenbloom, Alli (2023-02-27). "SAG Awards 2023: See the full list of winners". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  23. ^ "SDSA Awards - Television 2022". Set Decorators Society of America. June 14, 2023. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  24. ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (2023-07-11). "Hollywood Critics Association Announces the 2023 HCA TV Awards nominations for Broadcast Networks & Cable". Hollywood Critics Association. Archived from the original on 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  25. ^ Rice, Lynette (July 12, 2023). "Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
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