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Documentary Now!

Documentary Now! is an American mockumentary television series, created by Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, and Rhys Thomas, that premiered on August 20, 2015, on IFC. Armisen and Hader star in many episodes, and Thomas and Alex Buono co-direct most episodes. Hosted by Helen Mirren, the series spoofs celebrated documentary films by parodying the style of each documentary with a similar, but fictitious, subject. The third season premiered on February 20, 2019. On April 8, 2019, the series was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered on October 19, 2022 and will also be released on AMC+.[1][2]

Documentary Now!
GenreMockumentary
Created by
Directed by
  • Rhys Thomas
  • Alex Buono
Presented byHelen Mirren
Starring
  • Fred Armisen
  • Bill Hader
Theme music composerJosh Moshier
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes27 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Fred Armisen
  • Bill Hader
  • Seth Meyers
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Rhys Thomas
  • Andrew Singer
Production companyBroadway Video (credited)
Release
Original networkIFC
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Original releaseAugust 20, 2015 (2015-08-20) –
present (present)

Premise

Documentary Now! presents itself as a long-running news magazine for documentaries, initially celebrating its 50th season. Mirren appears at the beginning of each episode to introduce the "classic" documentary that the audience is about to see.

Cast

Key
  Main cast (credited)
Actor Seasons
1 2 3 4
Fred Armisen Main
Bill Hader Main Does not appear Does not appear
Helen Mirren Main

Episodes

Seasons of Documentary Now!
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
17August 20, 2015 (2015-08-20)September 24, 2015 (2015-09-24)
27September 14, 2016 (2016-09-14)October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26)
37February 20, 2019 (2019-02-20)March 27, 2019 (2019-03-27)
46October 19, 2022 (2022-10-19)November 16, 2022 (2022-11-16)

Season 1 (2015)

Documentary Now! season 1 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Sandy Passage"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoSeth MeyersGrey GardensAugust 20, 2015 (2015-08-20)0.16[3]

An in-depth look at the daily lives of two aging socialites and their crumbling estate.

Guest cast: Rob Benedict as Larry Fein, Randy Oglesby as Officer #1, Eric Nenninger as Officer #2, and Sy Richardson as David
22"Kunuk Uncovered"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoSeth MeyersNanook RevisitedAugust 27, 2015 (2015-08-27)0.25[4]

An investigation into the seminal 1922 documentary Kunuk the Hunter that attempts to separate what is real from what is fabrication.

Guest cast: John Slattery as William H. Sebastian, Mike O'Brien as Young Alexander Krauss, Tim Robinson as Young Barnabas Scott, Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson as Chacal, Wilma Pelly as Aglatki Qamaniq, and Linda Porter as Meredith Sebastian
33"DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoDuffy Boudreau, Bill Hader & Rob KleinVICE News documentariesSeptember 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)0.11[5]

The hipster media empire DRONEZ sends a series of its notoriously fearless journalists to track down Mexico's most wanted drug lord.

Guest cast: Jack Black as Jamison Friend, Ty Dolla $ign as himself, Luis Fernandez-Gil as Professor Alfonso Diaz, and Steven Michael Quezada as El Chingon
44"The Eye Doesn't Lie"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoBill Hader & John MulaneyThe Thin Blue LineSeptember 10, 2015 (2015-09-10)0.09[6]

An investigation into the wrongful conviction of a man sentenced to death for a 1976 murder.

Guest cast: Gary Kraus as Detective Pettibone, Van Epperson as Detective Pomerance, Dale Dickey as Joelle Fellweather, Nathan Barnatt as Sign Spinner, Cedric Yarbrough as Pawn Shop Owner, and Deb Hiett as Marjorie Yoder.
55"A Town, a Gangster, a Festival"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoSeth Meyers & Fred ArmisenNo known subject of parodySeptember 17, 2015 (2015-09-17)0.16[7]

A documentary crew travels to Árborg, Iceland, for the annual festival honoring American gangster Al Capone.

Guest cast: Aidy Bryant as Anne Severino
6–76–7"Gentle & Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee, Parts 1 & 2"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoFred Armisen, Bill Hader & Erik KenwardHistory of the EaglesSeptember 24, 2015 (2015-09-24)0.11[8] (Part 1)
0.10[8] (Part 2)

A documentary charting the rise and fall of soft rock band The Blue Jean Committee.

Guest cast: Irving Azoff as Alvin Izoff; Paula Pell as Patti Skrowaczeski; W. Earl Brown as Mitch Dragando; Jeff Doucette as Gordo; Cameron Crowe, Chuck Klosterman, Daryl Hall, Kenny Loggins, Haim, and Michael McDonald as themselves

Season 2 (2016)

Documentary Now! season 2 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
81"The Bunker"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoJohn MulaneyThe War RoomSeptember 14, 2016 (2016-09-14)0.12[9]

A behind-the-scenes view of Ben Herndon's 1992 run for governor of Ohio, focusing on his core campaign staff.

Guest cast: Van Epperson as Ben Herndon, Wayne Federman as Mark Wiesel
92"Juan Likes Rice & Chicken"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoSeth MeyersJiro Dreams of SushiSeptember 21, 2016 (2016-09-21)0.11[10]

A look at the strict owner of a remote Colombian restaurant famed for its rice and chicken recipe, and the son he has tutored and hopes will take over for him some day.

Guest cast: David Chang and Jonathan Gold as themselves, Harvey Guillén as Manuel
103"Parker Gail's Location Is Everything"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoJohn Mulaney & Bill HaderSwimming to CambodiaSeptember 28, 2016 (2016-09-28)0.11[11]

Parker Gail performs a stream of consciousness monologue about the day he was kicked out of his New York City apartment.

Guest cast: Peter Breitmayer as Male Parole Board Officer, Mike Damus as Dr. Jan, and Lennon Parham as Ramona
114"Globesman"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoSeth MeyersSalesmanOctober 5, 2016 (2016-10-05)0.13[12]

Four 1960s salesmen go door to door trying to sell globes to uninterested people.

Guest cast: Gary Kraus as Regional Sales Manager Gus McMichaels, Tony Forsmark as Bob Campbell, Joe Howard as Dale Bingham, Bill Smitrovich as Mike Stankowicz, Linda Porter as Old Woman in Bed, and Kiff VandenHeuvel as Father of Hot Daughter
125"Final Transmission"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoFred Armisen & Erik KenwardStop Making Sense & Big Time
(one segment)
October 12, 2016 (2016-10-12)0.120[13]

In 1987, new wave band Test Pattern plays its final concert.

Guest cast: Maya Rudolph as Anita, Senon Williams as Guitarist / Percussion, Hal Willner as Oota Keirsha, Jon Wurster as Drummer, and Paul Thomas Anderson as the voice of Harrison Renzi
13–146–7"Mr. Runner Up: My Life as an Oscar Bridesmaid, Parts 1 & 2"Rhys Thomas & Alex BuonoJohn Mulaney & Bill HaderThe Kid Stays
in the Picture
October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26)0.062[14] (Part 1)
0.090[14] (Part 2)

A candid docu-memoir of Hollywood legend Jerry Wallach and his 40-year quest to win an Academy Award.

Guest cast: Peter Bogdanovich, Faye Dunaway, Mia Farrow, Peter Fonda, and Anne Hathaway as themselves; Benton Jennings as Rich Snooty Man; Sam Pancake as Ed Brulay; Jake Lucas as Steven Dumont; and Laura Bell Bundy as Bridget Bailey

Season 3 (2019)

Documentary Now! season 3 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
15–161–2"Batsh*t Valley, Parts 1 & 2"Alex BuonoSeth MeyersWild Wild Country
& The Source Family
February 20, 2019 (2019-02-20)0.135[15] (Part 1)
0.135[15] (Part 2)

A cult disrupts the quiet town of Chinook, Oregon.

Guest cast: Owen Wilson as Father Ra-Shawbard, Michael Keaton as FBI Agent Bill Doss, Necar Zadegan as Ra-Sharir, Gary Kraus as FBI Agent Larry Cooper, Van Epperson as Roger Smoot, Deb Hiett as Marge Middleton, and Connie Chung as herself
173"Original Cast Album: Co-Op"Alex BuonoJohn Mulaney & Seth MeyersOriginal Cast Album: CompanyFebruary 27, 2019 (2019-02-27)0.103[16]

The marathon studio recording session for the original cast album of the ill-fated 1970 Broadway musical Co-op, with songs detailing the joys and pains of a New York City housing cooperative.

Guest cast: Taran Killam as Benedict Juniper, John Mulaney as Simon Sawyer, James Urbaniak as Howard Pine, Alex Brightman as Kenny, Richard Kind as Larry, Paula Pell as Patty, and Renée Elise Goldsberry as Dee Dee
184"Waiting for the Artist"Alex Buono & Rhys ThomasSeth MeyersMarina Abramović: The Artist is PresentMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)0.098[17]

An internationally-acclaimed performance artist prepares for a major career retrospective while reconciling her relationship with her former lover and performance partner whom she hasn't seen in two decades.

Guest cast: Cate Blanchett as Izabella Barta, Thierry Guetta as himself
195"Searching for Mr. Larson: A Love Letter from the Far Side"Alex BuonoDuffy Boudreau & Bill HaderDear Mr. WattersonMarch 13, 2019 (2019-03-13)0.096[18]
An obsessive fan of the comic strip The Far Side documents his quest to meet and interview its creator, Gary Larson.
206"Long Gone"Alex Buono & Rhys ThomasErik KenwardLet's Get LostMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)0.118[19]

A profile of eccentric jazz guitarist Rex Logan.

Guest cast: Natasha Lyonne as Carla Meola
217"Any Given Saturday Afternoon"Alex BuonoZach Kanin & Tim RobinsonA League of Ordinary GentlemenMarch 27, 2019 (2019-03-27)0.090[20]

When a defunct bowling league is revitalized, three of its most notable champions reunite to compete.

Guest cast: Kevin Dunn as Rob Seger, Michael C. Hall as Billy May Dempsey, Tim Robinson as Rick Kenmore, and Bobby Moynihan as Larry Hawburger

Season 4 (2022)

Documentary Now! season 4 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air date [21]U.S. viewers
(millions)
21–221–2"Soldier of Illusion, Parts 1 & 2"Alex Buono & Rhys ThomasJohn MulaneyBurden of Dreams, Grizzly Man, Into the Abyss, and My Best FiendOctober 19, 2022 (2022-10-19)N/A

A filmmaker shoots a documentary on the indigenous people of the Ural Mountains while simultaneously filming a sitcom pilot.

Guest cast: Alexander Skarsgård as Rainer Wolz, Gana Bayarsaikhan as Masho, Kevin Bishop as Gary Jacks, Nicholas Braun as Kevin Butterman, and August Diehl as Dieter Daimler.
233"Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport"Alex Buono & Rhys ThomasSeth MeyersThree Salons at the Seaside [22] and The September IssueOctober 26, 2022 (2022-10-26)N/A

A fly-on-the-wall portrait of a hair salon in the small coastal town of Bagglyport as they prepare their annual stylebook.

Guest cast: Cate Blanchett as Alice, Harriet Walter as Edwina
244"How They Threw Rocks"Alex Buono & Rhys ThomasSeth MeyersWhen We Were KingsNovember 2, 2022 (2022-11-02)N/A

A chronicle of the 1974 showdown of the (fictional) Welsh sport of Craig Maes ("Field Rock" - akin to dodgeball but with rocks) dubbed "The Melon vs. The Felon" in the (fictional) village of Llagoelwyn on Wrst in Wales.

Guest cast: Jonathan Pryce as Owen Teale-Griffith, John Rhys-Davies as Garth Davies-Gruffudd, Tom Jones as Bev Turner, Trystan Gravelle as Alwyn 'Allie' Lewis-Ifans
255"My Monkey Grifter"Alex BuonoSeth MeyersMy Octopus Teacher and Koko: A Talking GorillaNovember 9, 2022 (2022-11-09)N/A
A filmmaker (Jamie Demetriou) forms a deep, emotional, and financially taxing relationship with a monkey.
266"Trouver Frisson"Alex Buono & Micah GardnerMatt Pacult & Tamsin RawadyThe Gleaners and I and The Beaches of AgnèsNovember 16, 2022 (2022-11-16)N/A

A celebrated French filmmaker searches for why she no longer experiences "frisson" - the goosebumps that have always been her guide.

Guest cast: Liliane Rovere as Ida Leos, Ronald Guttman, Gary Kraus as Howie the Butcher, Verona Verbakel as Beatrice Lemutte, and Paola Zampierolo as young Ida Leos.

Production

Background

The idea for the series was born out of a pre-tape short film from Saturday Night Live, where Armisen, Hader and Meyers were former cast members. In 2013, in a season 38 episode with Vince Vaughn, Armisen and Hader portrayed aging British punk rock stars in a sketch titled, History of Punk: Ian Rubbish and the Bizzaros.[23] Hader has stated the biggest inspirations for the series were Woody Allen's mockumentary films Take the Money and Run (1969), and Zelig (1983). During the origins of Documentary Now! Hader sent DVD copies of the Allen films to Rhys Thomas and co-director Alex Buono. Hader said “I told them, ‘This is the mood of the show: very serious, very dry, but with insane jokes and crazy moments. You don’t want to wink too much at the audience."[24]

Development

On March 20, 2014, it was announced that IFC had given the production, then titled American Documentary, a series order for a first season consisting of six episodes. Executive producers were set to include Lorne Michaels, Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, and Bill Hader. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Broadway Video and Rhys Thomas was expected to serve as director.[25] The six-episode order limited the first season of the show, as Seth Meyers revealed in an interview with Collider, stating that they were not able to spoof Michael Moore documentaries, or the HBO documentary miniseries The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. Meyers further explained saying, "The Jinx happened a little too late for us. We almost tried to pull it off. We talked a lot about that kind of documentary, where the filmmaker sets out to make a documentary, and then, very slowly, it becomes clear the documentary is about himself."[26] The producers also declined to do another This Is Spinal Tap–type mockumentary and consciously avoided any similarities in editing or style. Armisen commented, "Spinal Tap set such a great precedent that we had to watch out for repeating any of those same beats. It's one of the greatest movies ever."[26]

On July 31, 2015, it was announced at the Television Critics Association's annual summer press tour that Meyers, Hader and Armisen would serve as writers for the series and that additional executive producers would include Thomas and Andrew Singer.[27] On August 18, 2015, it was reported that IFC had renewed the series for a second and third season. It was additionally reported that the series had been co-created by Thomas who was also expected to serve in the role of director along with Alex Buono. John Mulaney was slated to be a consulting producer and Erik Kenward a supervising producer.[28] On August 27, 2015, it was announced that IFC had decided to delay the premiere of the series' second episode "DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon" following the live broadcast of two television news station employees' murders in Virginia the previous day. The episode "Kunuk Uncovered", originally set to air as the series' third episode, was broadcast in its place.[29]

On August 1, 2018, it was announced that the third season would premiere on February 20, 2019. Additionally, it was reported that one of the episodes would be titled "Waiting for the Artist" and parody the documentary film Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present.[30] Later that month, it was announced that another episode, entitled "Original Cast Album: Co-Op", would parody D. A. Pennebaker's 1970 documentary Original Cast Album: Company.[31] On September 6, 2018, two further season three episodes were announced. One episode, titled "Any Given Saturday Afternoon", was described as a parody of the 2006 documentary A League of Ordinary Gentlemen and set to feature guest stars including Kevin Dunn, Michael C. Hall, Tim Robinson, and Bobby Moynihan. The other episode, titled "Long Gone", was described as a parody of the 1988 documentary Let's Get Lost and was expected to include Natasha Lyonne in a guest starring role.[32] On October 10, 2018, it was announced that the season three premiere episode had been titled "Batsh*t Valley" and that it would be a parody of Wild Wild Country and The Source Family.[33][34]

Casting

Alongside the series order announcement, it was confirmed that Fred Armisen and Bill Hader would star in the series.[25] On August 1, 2018, it was announced that Cate Blanchett would guest star in the third-season episode "Waiting for the Artist" as Barta, a performance artist.[30] Later that month, it was reported that Taran Killam, John Mulaney, James Urbaniak, Alex Brightman, Richard Kind, Paula Pell, and Renée Elise Goldsberry would appear in a third-season episode titled "Original Cast Album: Co-Op".[31] On September 6, 2018, further season three guest stars were announced including Kevin Dunn, Michael C. Hall, Tim Robinson, and Bobby Moynihan in the episode "Any Given Saturday Afternoon" and Natasha Lyonne in the episode "Long Gone".[32] On October 10, 2018, it was announced that Owen Wilson, Michael Keaton, and Necar Zadegan would guest star in the third-season premiere episode "Batsh*t Valley".[33][34]

Filming

In season one, two of the episodes were shot in Iceland and "DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon" was filmed in Tijuana.[26] To film the second-season episode "Final Transmission", the Documentary Now! crew staged a real-life concert (attracting around 1,000 people) in which Armisen, Hader, and guest star Maya Rudolph performed as the Talking Heads-inspired band the episode centers around.[35] The season three episode "Waiting for the Artist" was filmed in Budapest, Hungary in mid-2018.[30]

Release

Marketing

On January 17, 2019, the official trailer for season three was released.[36]

Premieres

On January 27, 2019, the premiere of the third season was held at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The premiere featured screenings of the episodes Waiting for the Artist and Original Cast Album: Co-Op.[37][38]

In February 2022, the series' fourth season was announced and premiered on October 19, 2022.[39][40]

In advance of their television broadcast, the episodes My Monkey Grifter, Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport and Trouver Frisson were premiered in the Documentary slate at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022.[41]

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Critical reception of Documentary Now!
Season Critical response
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
1 90% (29 reviews) 79 (32 reviews)
2 93% (15 reviews) 74 (7 reviews)
3 100% (23 reviews) 88 (8 reviews)
4 100% (10 reviews) 82 (10 reviews)

Season 1

The first season was received positively by critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the season holds a 90% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.89 out of 10 based on 29 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Boasting a talented cast and smart writing, Documentary Now! is a clever send-up of non-fiction filmmaking, though some may find themselves outside the narrow scope of its humor."[42] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 79 out of 100 based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[43]

In its year-end roundup, The New York Times named Documentary Now! as one of "The Best TV Shows of 2015". "This series, introduced in August," wrote Times critic Neil Genzlinger, "consists not of actual documentaries but of parodies of actual documentaries. It sure is funny, though."[44]

Season 2

The second season was met with a positive response from critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the season holds a 93% approval rating, with an average rating of 7.84 out of 10 based on 15 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "With extreme attention to detail, Documentary Now! furthers its hilarious tribute to vintage documentaries through showcasing creators Hader and Armisen's multi-talents, topped with brilliantly by earnestly dramatic introductions by Dame Helen Mirren."[45] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 74 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[46]

Season 3

The third season was met with critical acclaim from critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the season holds a 100% approval rating, with an average rating of 9.29 out of 10 based on 23 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Incisively critical of the genre and equally delighted by its subjects, Documentary Now! nails mockumentary under the deft direction of Rhys Thomas and Alex Buono."[47] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 88 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[48]

Awards and nominations

Award nominations for Documentary Now!
Year Ceremony Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2016 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now! Nominated [49]
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Comedy Series Bill Hader Nominated [50]
2017 Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Erik Kenward, John Mulaney, and Seth Meyers Nominated [51]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now! Nominated [52]
2019 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now! Nominated [53]
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series John Mulaney & Seth Meyers Nominated [54]
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Eli Bolin, Seth Meyers, and John Mulaney for the song:
"Holiday Party (I Did a Little Cocaine Tonight)", Original Cast Album: Co-Op
Nominated [55]
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series Alex Buono & Rhys Thomas for Waiting for the Artist Nominated [55]

Home media

The first two seasons were released by Mill Creek Entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray on August 14, 2018.[56] The episode "Globesman" was included as a bonus feature in the Criterion Collection Blu-ray release of Salesman,[57] while "Original Cast Album: Co-Op" was included as a bonus feature in the Criterion Collection DVD and Blu-ray release for Original Cast Album: Company, with a reunion of the cast and crew of the episode included as an additional feature.[58]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for the Season 3 episode Co-Op was made available as an actual cast album in 2019 (profits for the album were donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS).[59]

References

  1. ^ ""Documentary Now!," The Classic Fictionalized "Non-Fiction" Series, Gets Season 53 Renewal from IFC". The Futon Critic. April 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Documentary Now! will finally return for season 4 in 2022|AV Club
  3. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 21, 2015). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  4. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 28, 2015). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  5. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 4, 2015). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  6. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 11, 2015). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  7. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 18, 2015). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (September 25, 2015). . ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 15, 2016). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  10. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 22, 2016). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 29, 2016). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 6, 2016). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 13, 2016). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  14. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 27, 2016). . Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  15. ^ a b . Showbuzz Daily. 2019-02-21. Archived from the original on 2019-02-22. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  16. ^ . Showbuzz Daily. 2019-02-28. Archived from the original on 2019-03-01. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  17. ^ . Showbuzz Daily. 2019-03-07. Archived from the original on 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2019-03-15.
  18. ^ . Showbuzz Daily. 2019-03-14. Archived from the original on 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
  19. ^ . Showbuzz Daily. 2019-03-21. Archived from the original on 2019-03-21. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  20. ^ . Showbuzz Daily. 2019-03-28. Archived from the original on 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  21. ^ "Shows A-Z – Documentary Now! on AMC+". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  22. ^ https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7dab57d2
  23. ^ Snierson, Dan (May 15, 2015). "Bill Hader and Fred Armisen channel Grey Gardens in IFC's Documentary Now!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  24. ^ "Why Bill Hader and Fred Armisen Are Parodying Documentaries in Their Latest, Ingenious Project". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  25. ^ a b "IFC Unveils New Comedies From Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers & Rob Huebel As Part Of 2015 Slate". Deadline Hollywood. March 20, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  26. ^ a b c Radish, Christina (August 7, 2015). "13 Things to Know about DOCUMENTARY NOW! Starring Fred Armisen and Bill Hader". Collider. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  27. ^ de Moraes, Lisa (July 31, 2015). "'Documentary Now!' Spoof Born Of Love, From Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers & Bill Hader – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  28. ^ Petski, Denise (August 18, 2015). "Fred Armisen, Bill Hader & Seth Meyers' 'Documentary Now!' Renewed For 2 More Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  29. ^ Pedersen, Erik (August 27, 2015). "IFC Delays 'Documentary Now' Episode After News Team's On-Air Shooting". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  30. ^ a b c Evans, Greg (August 1, 2018). "Cate Blanchett Set For 'Documentary Now!' Take On Performance Artist". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  31. ^ a b Evans, Greg (August 13, 2018). "'Documentary Now!' To Tackle Sondheim, Stritch & The Ladies Who Lunch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  32. ^ a b Pena, Jessica (September 7, 2018). "Documentary Now!: Season Three; IFC Teases New Episodes – canceled TV shows – TV Series Finale". TV Series Finale. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  33. ^ a b Greene, Steve (October 10, 2018). "Michael Keaton and Owen Wilson to Star in 'Wild Wild Country'-Inspired Episode of Parody Series 'Documentary Now!'". IndieWire. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  34. ^ a b Turnquist, Kristi (October 11, 2018). "Owen Wilson plays a Rajneesh-like guru in the Oregon-filmed 'Documentary Now!'". OregonLive.com. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  35. ^ Erik, Adams (October 10, 2016). ""How did I get here?": Documentary Now!'s little Talking Heads tribute that could". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  36. ^ Greene, Steve (January 17, 2019). "'Documentary Now!' Trailer: That's Not Actually Marina Abramovic, That's Cate Blanchett". IndieWire. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  37. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 3, 2018). "Sundance 2019: #MeToo, Time's Up, IFC's 'Documentary Now!', Wu-Tang Clan & Lorena Bobbitt Part Of Indie Episodic, Shorts & Special Events Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  38. ^ "Documentary Now! Season 52 Preview – Sundance Film Festival". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  39. ^ Gajjar, Saloni (February 10, 2022). "Documentary Now! will finally return for season 4 in 2022". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  40. ^ ‘Documentary Now!’ Season 4 Adds Alexander Skarsgård and Nicholas Braun as Guest Stars|Collider
  41. ^ Carey, Matthew (August 17, 2022). "TIFF Announces Doc Lineup Highlighted By World Premiere Of Hillary And Chelsea Clinton-Executive Produced Film 'In Her Hands'". Deadline. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  42. ^ "Documentary Now!: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  43. ^ "Documentary Now!: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  44. ^ Poniewozik, James; Hale, Mike; Genzlinger, Neil (December 7, 2015). "The Best TV Shows of 2015". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  45. ^ "Documentary Now!: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  46. ^ "Documentary Now!: Season 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  47. ^ "Documentary Now!: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  48. ^ "Documentary Now!: Season 3". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  49. ^ "Outstanding Variety Sketch Series – 2016". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  50. ^ Prudom, Laura (September 7, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards Reveal Most Exciting New Series Honorees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  51. ^ Petski, Denise (December 5, 2016). "WGA TV Nominations: 'The Americans', 'Stranger Things', 'Westworld', 'This Is Us' Among Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  52. ^ "Outstanding Variety Sketch Series – 2017". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  53. ^ "Emmy Nominations 2019". People. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  54. ^ "Documentary Now!". Television Academy. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  55. ^ a b "Emmy Nominations 2019". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  56. ^ Mortensen, Adam (August 17, 2018). "Documentary Now!: Seasons 1 and 2 Blu-ray Review | Geeky Hobbies". Geeky Hobbies. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  57. ^ "Salesman". Amazon.
  58. ^ "Original Cast Album: "Company"". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  59. ^ Documentary Now's Emmy-Nominated Co-op Original Cast Album Out Now|Playbill

External links

  • Official website  
  • Documentary Now! at IMDb
  • IFC's playlist of excerpts and trailers on official YouTube channel


documentary, american, mockumentary, television, series, created, fred, armisen, bill, hader, seth, meyers, rhys, thomas, that, premiered, august, 2015, armisen, hader, star, many, episodes, thomas, alex, buono, direct, most, episodes, hosted, helen, mirren, s. Documentary Now is an American mockumentary television series created by Fred Armisen Bill Hader Seth Meyers and Rhys Thomas that premiered on August 20 2015 on IFC Armisen and Hader star in many episodes and Thomas and Alex Buono co direct most episodes Hosted by Helen Mirren the series spoofs celebrated documentary films by parodying the style of each documentary with a similar but fictitious subject The third season premiered on February 20 2019 On April 8 2019 the series was renewed for a fourth season which premiered on October 19 2022 and will also be released on AMC 1 2 Documentary Now GenreMockumentaryCreated byFred Armisen Bill Hader Seth Meyers Rhys ThomasDirected byRhys Thomas Alex BuonoPresented byHelen MirrenStarringFred Armisen Bill HaderTheme music composerJosh MoshierCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishNo of seasons4No of episodes27 list of episodes ProductionExecutive producersFred Armisen Bill Hader Seth Meyers Lorne Michaels Rhys Thomas Andrew SingerProduction companyBroadway Video credited ReleaseOriginal networkIFCPicture format1080i HDTV Original releaseAugust 20 2015 2015 08 20 present present Contents 1 Premise 2 Cast 3 Episodes 3 1 Season 1 2015 3 2 Season 2 2016 3 3 Season 3 2019 3 4 Season 4 2022 4 Production 4 1 Background 4 2 Development 4 3 Casting 4 4 Filming 5 Release 5 1 Marketing 5 2 Premieres 6 Reception and legacy 6 1 Critical response 6 1 1 Season 1 6 1 2 Season 2 6 1 3 Season 3 6 2 Awards and nominations 6 3 Home media 6 4 Soundtrack 7 References 8 External linksPremise EditDocumentary Now presents itself as a long running news magazine for documentaries initially celebrating its 50th season Mirren appears at the beginning of each episode to introduce the classic documentary that the audience is about to see Cast EditKey Main cast credited Actor Seasons1 2 3 4Fred Armisen MainBill Hader Main Does not appear Does not appearHelen Mirren MainEpisodes EditSeasons of Documentary Now SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedFirst airedLast aired17August 20 2015 2015 08 20 September 24 2015 2015 09 24 27September 14 2016 2016 09 14 October 26 2016 2016 10 26 37February 20 2019 2019 02 20 March 27 2019 2019 03 27 46October 19 2022 2022 10 19 November 16 2022 2022 11 16 Season 1 2015 Edit Documentary Now season 1 episodesNo overallNo inseasonTitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air dateU S viewers millions 11 Sandy Passage Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoSeth MeyersGrey GardensAugust 20 2015 2015 08 20 0 16 3 An in depth look at the daily lives of two aging socialites and their crumbling estate Guest cast Rob Benedict as Larry Fein Randy Oglesby as Officer 1 Eric Nenninger as Officer 2 and Sy Richardson as David22 Kunuk Uncovered Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoSeth MeyersNanook RevisitedAugust 27 2015 2015 08 27 0 25 4 An investigation into the seminal 1922 documentary Kunuk the Hunter that attempts to separate what is real from what is fabrication Guest cast John Slattery as William H Sebastian Mike O Brien as Young Alexander Krauss Tim Robinson as Young Barnabas Scott Sveinn olafur Gunnarsson as Chacal Wilma Pelly as Aglatki Qamaniq and Linda Porter as Meredith Sebastian33 DRONEZ The Hunt for El Chingon Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoDuffy Boudreau Bill Hader amp Rob KleinVICE News documentariesSeptember 3 2015 2015 09 03 0 11 5 The hipster media empire DRONEZ sends a series of its notoriously fearless journalists to track down Mexico s most wanted drug lord Guest cast Jack Black as Jamison Friend Ty Dolla ign as himself Luis Fernandez Gil as Professor Alfonso Diaz and Steven Michael Quezada as El Chingon44 The Eye Doesn t Lie Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoBill Hader amp John MulaneyThe Thin Blue LineSeptember 10 2015 2015 09 10 0 09 6 An investigation into the wrongful conviction of a man sentenced to death for a 1976 murder Guest cast Gary Kraus as Detective Pettibone Van Epperson as Detective Pomerance Dale Dickey as Joelle Fellweather Nathan Barnatt as Sign Spinner Cedric Yarbrough as Pawn Shop Owner and Deb Hiett as Marjorie Yoder 55 A Town a Gangster a Festival Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoSeth Meyers amp Fred ArmisenNo known subject of parodySeptember 17 2015 2015 09 17 0 16 7 A documentary crew travels to Arborg Iceland for the annual festival honoring American gangster Al Capone Guest cast Aidy Bryant as Anne Severino6 76 7 Gentle amp Soft The Story of the Blue Jean Committee Parts 1 amp 2 Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoFred Armisen Bill Hader amp Erik KenwardHistory of the EaglesSeptember 24 2015 2015 09 24 0 11 8 Part 1 0 10 8 Part 2 A documentary charting the rise and fall of soft rock band The Blue Jean Committee Guest cast Irving Azoff as Alvin Izoff Paula Pell as Patti Skrowaczeski W Earl Brown as Mitch Dragando Jeff Doucette as Gordo Cameron Crowe Chuck Klosterman Daryl Hall Kenny Loggins Haim and Michael McDonald as themselvesSeason 2 2016 Edit Documentary Now season 2 episodesNo overallNo inseasonTitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air dateU S viewers millions 81 The Bunker Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoJohn MulaneyThe War RoomSeptember 14 2016 2016 09 14 0 12 9 A behind the scenes view of Ben Herndon s 1992 run for governor of Ohio focusing on his core campaign staff Guest cast Van Epperson as Ben Herndon Wayne Federman as Mark Wiesel92 Juan Likes Rice amp Chicken Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoSeth MeyersJiro Dreams of SushiSeptember 21 2016 2016 09 21 0 11 10 A look at the strict owner of a remote Colombian restaurant famed for its rice and chicken recipe and the son he has tutored and hopes will take over for him some day Guest cast David Chang and Jonathan Gold as themselves Harvey Guillen as Manuel103 Parker Gail s Location Is Everything Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoJohn Mulaney amp Bill HaderSwimming to CambodiaSeptember 28 2016 2016 09 28 0 11 11 Parker Gail performs a stream of consciousness monologue about the day he was kicked out of his New York City apartment Guest cast Peter Breitmayer as Male Parole Board Officer Mike Damus as Dr Jan and Lennon Parham as Ramona114 Globesman Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoSeth MeyersSalesmanOctober 5 2016 2016 10 05 0 13 12 Four 1960s salesmen go door to door trying to sell globes to uninterested people Guest cast Gary Kraus as Regional Sales Manager Gus McMichaels Tony Forsmark as Bob Campbell Joe Howard as Dale Bingham Bill Smitrovich as Mike Stankowicz Linda Porter as Old Woman in Bed and Kiff VandenHeuvel as Father of Hot Daughter125 Final Transmission Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoFred Armisen amp Erik KenwardStop Making Sense amp Big Time one segment October 12 2016 2016 10 12 0 120 13 In 1987 new wave band Test Pattern plays its final concert Guest cast Maya Rudolph as Anita Senon Williams as Guitarist Percussion Hal Willner as Oota Keirsha Jon Wurster as Drummer and Paul Thomas Anderson as the voice of Harrison Renzi13 146 7 Mr Runner Up My Life as an Oscar Bridesmaid Parts 1 amp 2 Rhys Thomas amp Alex BuonoJohn Mulaney amp Bill HaderThe Kid Staysin the PictureOctober 26 2016 2016 10 26 0 062 14 Part 1 0 090 14 Part 2 A candid docu memoir of Hollywood legend Jerry Wallach and his 40 year quest to win an Academy Award Guest cast Peter Bogdanovich Faye Dunaway Mia Farrow Peter Fonda and Anne Hathaway as themselves Benton Jennings as Rich Snooty Man Sam Pancake as Ed Brulay Jake Lucas as Steven Dumont and Laura Bell Bundy as Bridget BaileySeason 3 2019 Edit Documentary Now season 3 episodesNo overallNo inseasonTitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air dateU S viewers millions 15 161 2 Batsh t Valley Parts 1 amp 2 Alex BuonoSeth MeyersWild Wild Country amp The Source FamilyFebruary 20 2019 2019 02 20 0 135 15 Part 1 0 135 15 Part 2 A cult disrupts the quiet town of Chinook Oregon Guest cast Owen Wilson as Father Ra Shawbard Michael Keaton as FBI Agent Bill Doss Necar Zadegan as Ra Sharir Gary Kraus as FBI Agent Larry Cooper Van Epperson as Roger Smoot Deb Hiett as Marge Middleton and Connie Chung as herself173 Original Cast Album Co Op Alex BuonoJohn Mulaney amp Seth MeyersOriginal Cast Album CompanyFebruary 27 2019 2019 02 27 0 103 16 The marathon studio recording session for the original cast album of the ill fated 1970 Broadway musical Co op with songs detailing the joys and pains of a New York City housing cooperative Guest cast Taran Killam as Benedict Juniper John Mulaney as Simon Sawyer James Urbaniak as Howard Pine Alex Brightman as Kenny Richard Kind as Larry Paula Pell as Patty and Renee Elise Goldsberry as Dee Dee184 Waiting for the Artist Alex Buono amp Rhys ThomasSeth MeyersMarina Abramovic The Artist is PresentMarch 6 2019 2019 03 06 0 098 17 An internationally acclaimed performance artist prepares for a major career retrospective while reconciling her relationship with her former lover and performance partner whom she hasn t seen in two decades Guest cast Cate Blanchett as Izabella Barta Thierry Guetta as himself195 Searching for Mr Larson A Love Letter from the Far Side Alex BuonoDuffy Boudreau amp Bill HaderDear Mr WattersonMarch 13 2019 2019 03 13 0 096 18 An obsessive fan of the comic strip The Far Side documents his quest to meet and interview its creator Gary Larson 206 Long Gone Alex Buono amp Rhys ThomasErik KenwardLet s Get LostMarch 20 2019 2019 03 20 0 118 19 A profile of eccentric jazz guitarist Rex Logan Guest cast Natasha Lyonne as Carla Meola217 Any Given Saturday Afternoon Alex BuonoZach Kanin amp Tim RobinsonA League of Ordinary GentlemenMarch 27 2019 2019 03 27 0 090 20 When a defunct bowling league is revitalized three of its most notable champions reunite to compete Guest cast Kevin Dunn as Rob Seger Michael C Hall as Billy May Dempsey Tim Robinson as Rick Kenmore and Bobby Moynihan as Larry HawburgerSeason 4 2022 Edit Documentary Now season 4 episodesNo overallNo inseasonTitleDirected byWritten bySubject parodiedOriginal air date 21 U S viewers millions 21 221 2 Soldier of Illusion Parts 1 amp 2 Alex Buono amp Rhys ThomasJohn MulaneyBurden of Dreams Grizzly Man Into the Abyss and My Best FiendOctober 19 2022 2022 10 19 N AA filmmaker shoots a documentary on the indigenous people of the Ural Mountains while simultaneously filming a sitcom pilot Guest cast Alexander Skarsgard as Rainer Wolz Gana Bayarsaikhan as Masho Kevin Bishop as Gary Jacks Nicholas Braun as Kevin Butterman and August Diehl as Dieter Daimler 233 Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport Alex Buono amp Rhys ThomasSeth MeyersThree Salons at the Seaside 22 and The September IssueOctober 26 2022 2022 10 26 N AA fly on the wall portrait of a hair salon in the small coastal town of Bagglyport as they prepare their annual stylebook Guest cast Cate Blanchett as Alice Harriet Walter as Edwina244 How They Threw Rocks Alex Buono amp Rhys ThomasSeth MeyersWhen We Were KingsNovember 2 2022 2022 11 02 N AA chronicle of the 1974 showdown of the fictional Welsh sport of Craig Maes Field Rock akin to dodgeball but with rocks dubbed The Melon vs The Felon in the fictional village of Llagoelwyn on Wrst in Wales Guest cast Jonathan Pryce as Owen Teale Griffith John Rhys Davies as Garth Davies Gruffudd Tom Jones as Bev Turner Trystan Gravelle as Alwyn Allie Lewis Ifans255 My Monkey Grifter Alex BuonoSeth MeyersMy Octopus Teacher and Koko A Talking GorillaNovember 9 2022 2022 11 09 N AA filmmaker Jamie Demetriou forms a deep emotional and financially taxing relationship with a monkey 266 Trouver Frisson Alex Buono amp Micah GardnerMatt Pacult amp Tamsin RawadyThe Gleaners and I and The Beaches of AgnesNovember 16 2022 2022 11 16 N AA celebrated French filmmaker searches for why she no longer experiences frisson the goosebumps that have always been her guide Guest cast Liliane Rovere as Ida Leos Ronald Guttman Gary Kraus as Howie the Butcher Verona Verbakel as Beatrice Lemutte and Paola Zampierolo as young Ida Leos Production EditBackground Edit The idea for the series was born out of a pre tape short film from Saturday Night Live where Armisen Hader and Meyers were former cast members In 2013 in a season 38 episode with Vince Vaughn Armisen and Hader portrayed aging British punk rock stars in a sketch titled History of Punk Ian Rubbish and the Bizzaros 23 Hader has stated the biggest inspirations for the series were Woody Allen s mockumentary films Take the Money and Run 1969 and Zelig 1983 During the origins of Documentary Now Hader sent DVD copies of the Allen films to Rhys Thomas and co director Alex Buono Hader said I told them This is the mood of the show very serious very dry but with insane jokes and crazy moments You don t want to wink too much at the audience 24 Development Edit On March 20 2014 it was announced that IFC had given the production then titled American Documentary a series order for a first season consisting of six episodes Executive producers were set to include Lorne Michaels Seth Meyers Fred Armisen and Bill Hader Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Broadway Video and Rhys Thomas was expected to serve as director 25 The six episode order limited the first season of the show as Seth Meyers revealed in an interview with Collider stating that they were not able to spoof Michael Moore documentaries or the HBO documentary miniseries The Jinx The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst Meyers further explained saying The Jinx happened a little too late for us We almost tried to pull it off We talked a lot about that kind of documentary where the filmmaker sets out to make a documentary and then very slowly it becomes clear the documentary is about himself 26 The producers also declined to do another This Is Spinal Tap type mockumentary and consciously avoided any similarities in editing or style Armisen commented Spinal Tap set such a great precedent that we had to watch out for repeating any of those same beats It s one of the greatest movies ever 26 On July 31 2015 it was announced at the Television Critics Association s annual summer press tour that Meyers Hader and Armisen would serve as writers for the series and that additional executive producers would include Thomas and Andrew Singer 27 On August 18 2015 it was reported that IFC had renewed the series for a second and third season It was additionally reported that the series had been co created by Thomas who was also expected to serve in the role of director along with Alex Buono John Mulaney was slated to be a consulting producer and Erik Kenward a supervising producer 28 On August 27 2015 it was announced that IFC had decided to delay the premiere of the series second episode DRONEZ The Hunt for El Chingon following the live broadcast of two television news station employees murders in Virginia the previous day The episode Kunuk Uncovered originally set to air as the series third episode was broadcast in its place 29 On August 1 2018 it was announced that the third season would premiere on February 20 2019 Additionally it was reported that one of the episodes would be titled Waiting for the Artist and parody the documentary film Marina Abramovic The Artist is Present 30 Later that month it was announced that another episode entitled Original Cast Album Co Op would parody D A Pennebaker s 1970 documentary Original Cast Album Company 31 On September 6 2018 two further season three episodes were announced One episode titled Any Given Saturday Afternoon was described as a parody of the 2006 documentary A League of Ordinary Gentlemen and set to feature guest stars including Kevin Dunn Michael C Hall Tim Robinson and Bobby Moynihan The other episode titled Long Gone was described as a parody of the 1988 documentary Let s Get Lost and was expected to include Natasha Lyonne in a guest starring role 32 On October 10 2018 it was announced that the season three premiere episode had been titled Batsh t Valley and that it would be a parody of Wild Wild Country and The Source Family 33 34 Casting Edit Alongside the series order announcement it was confirmed that Fred Armisen and Bill Hader would star in the series 25 On August 1 2018 it was announced that Cate Blanchett would guest star in the third season episode Waiting for the Artist as Barta a performance artist 30 Later that month it was reported that Taran Killam John Mulaney James Urbaniak Alex Brightman Richard Kind Paula Pell and Renee Elise Goldsberry would appear in a third season episode titled Original Cast Album Co Op 31 On September 6 2018 further season three guest stars were announced including Kevin Dunn Michael C Hall Tim Robinson and Bobby Moynihan in the episode Any Given Saturday Afternoon and Natasha Lyonne in the episode Long Gone 32 On October 10 2018 it was announced that Owen Wilson Michael Keaton and Necar Zadegan would guest star in the third season premiere episode Batsh t Valley 33 34 Filming Edit In season one two of the episodes were shot in Iceland and DRONEZ The Hunt for El Chingon was filmed in Tijuana 26 To film the second season episode Final Transmission the Documentary Now crew staged a real life concert attracting around 1 000 people in which Armisen Hader and guest star Maya Rudolph performed as the Talking Heads inspired band the episode centers around 35 The season three episode Waiting for the Artist was filmed in Budapest Hungary in mid 2018 30 Release EditMarketing Edit On January 17 2019 the official trailer for season three was released 36 Premieres Edit On January 27 2019 the premiere of the third season was held at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City Utah during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival The premiere featured screenings of the episodes Waiting for the Artist and Original Cast Album Co Op 37 38 In February 2022 the series fourth season was announced and premiered on October 19 2022 39 40 In advance of their television broadcast the episodes My Monkey Grifter Two Hairdressers in Bagglyport and Trouver Frisson were premiered in the Documentary slate at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9 2022 41 Reception and legacy EditCritical response Edit Critical reception of Documentary Now Season Critical responseRotten Tomatoes Metacritic1 90 29 reviews 79 32 reviews 2 93 15 reviews 74 7 reviews 3 100 23 reviews 88 8 reviews 4 100 10 reviews 82 10 reviews Season 1 Edit The first season was received positively by critics upon its premiere On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes the season holds a 90 approval rating with an average rating of 7 89 out of 10 based on 29 reviews The website s critical consensus reads Boasting a talented cast and smart writing Documentary Now is a clever send up of non fiction filmmaking though some may find themselves outside the narrow scope of its humor 42 Metacritic which uses a weighted average assigned the season a score of 79 out of 100 based on 32 critics indicating generally favorable reviews 43 In its year end roundup The New York Times named Documentary Now as one of The Best TV Shows of 2015 This series introduced in August wrote Times critic Neil Genzlinger consists not of actual documentaries but of parodies of actual documentaries It sure is funny though 44 Season 2 Edit The second season was met with a positive response from critics upon its premiere On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes the season holds a 93 approval rating with an average rating of 7 84 out of 10 based on 15 reviews The website s critical consensus reads With extreme attention to detail Documentary Now furthers its hilarious tribute to vintage documentaries through showcasing creators Hader and Armisen s multi talents topped with brilliantly by earnestly dramatic introductions by Dame Helen Mirren 45 Metacritic which uses a weighted average assigned the season a score of 74 out of 100 based on 7 critics indicating generally favorable reviews 46 Season 3 Edit The third season was met with critical acclaim from critics upon its premiere On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes the season holds a 100 approval rating with an average rating of 9 29 out of 10 based on 23 reviews The website s critical consensus reads Incisively critical of the genre and equally delighted by its subjects Documentary Now nails mockumentary under the deft direction of Rhys Thomas and Alex Buono 47 Metacritic which uses a weighted average assigned the season a score of 88 out of 100 based on 8 critics indicating universal acclaim 48 Awards and nominations Edit Award nominations for Documentary Now Year Ceremony Category Nominee s Result Ref 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now Nominated 49 Critics Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Comedy Series Bill Hader Nominated 50 2017 Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy Variety Sketch Series Fred Armisen Bill Hader Erik Kenward John Mulaney and Seth Meyers Nominated 51 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now Nominated 52 2019 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now Nominated 53 Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series John Mulaney amp Seth Meyers Nominated 54 Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Eli Bolin Seth Meyers and John Mulaney for the song Holiday Party I Did a Little Cocaine Tonight Original Cast Album Co Op Nominated 55 Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series Alex Buono amp Rhys Thomas for Waiting for the Artist Nominated 55 Home media Edit The first two seasons were released by Mill Creek Entertainment on DVD and Blu ray on August 14 2018 56 The episode Globesman was included as a bonus feature in the Criterion Collection Blu ray release of Salesman 57 while Original Cast Album Co Op was included as a bonus feature in the Criterion Collection DVD and Blu ray release for Original Cast Album Company with a reunion of the cast and crew of the episode included as an additional feature 58 Soundtrack Edit The soundtrack for the Season 3 episode Co Op was made available as an actual cast album in 2019 profits for the album were donated to Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS 59 References Edit Documentary Now The Classic Fictionalized Non Fiction Series Gets Season 53 Renewal from IFC The Futon Critic April 8 2019 Documentary Now will finally return for season 4 in 2022 AV Club Metcalf Mitch August 21 2015 SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals amp Network Update 8 20 2015 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on August 22 2015 Retrieved August 24 2015 Metcalf Mitch August 28 2015 SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals amp Network Update 8 27 2015 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on August 29 2015 Retrieved September 10 2015 Metcalf Mitch September 4 2015 SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals amp Network Update 9 3 2015 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on September 5 2015 Retrieved September 12 2015 Metcalf Mitch September 11 2015 SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals amp Network Update 9 10 2015 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on September 13 2015 Retrieved September 23 2015 Metcalf Mitch September 18 2015 SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals amp Network Update 9 17 2015 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on September 19 2015 Retrieved September 23 2015 a b Metcalf Mitch September 25 2015 SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals amp Network Update 9 24 2015 ShowBuzzDaily Archived from the original on September 26 2015 Retrieved October 18 2015 Metcalf Mitch September 15 2016 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 9 14 2016 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on September 17 2016 Retrieved September 17 2016 Metcalf Mitch September 22 2016 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 9 21 2016 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on September 23 2016 Retrieved September 24 2016 Metcalf Mitch September 29 2016 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 9 28 2016 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on October 2 2016 Retrieved September 30 2016 Metcalf Mitch October 6 2016 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 10 5 2016 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on October 6 2016 Retrieved October 8 2016 Metcalf Mitch October 13 2016 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 10 12 2016 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on October 14 2016 Retrieved October 15 2016 a b Metcalf Mitch October 27 2016 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 10 26 2016 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on October 28 2016 Retrieved October 30 2016 a b UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 2 20 2019 Showbuzz Daily 2019 02 21 Archived from the original on 2019 02 22 Retrieved 2019 02 27 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 2 27 2019 Showbuzz Daily 2019 02 28 Archived from the original on 2019 03 01 Retrieved 2019 03 09 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 3 6 2019 Showbuzz Daily 2019 03 07 Archived from the original on 2019 03 08 Retrieved 2019 03 15 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 3 13 2019 Showbuzz Daily 2019 03 14 Archived from the original on 2019 03 14 Retrieved 2019 03 17 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 3 20 2019 Showbuzz Daily 2019 03 21 Archived from the original on 2019 03 21 Retrieved 2019 03 27 UPDATED SHOWBUZZDAILY s Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 3 27 2019 Showbuzz Daily 2019 03 28 Archived from the original on 2019 03 28 Retrieved 2019 04 17 Shows A Z Documentary Now on AMC The Futon Critic Retrieved October 21 2022 https www2 bfi org uk films tv people 4ce2b7dab57d2 Snierson Dan May 15 2015 Bill Hader and Fred Armisen channel Grey Gardens in IFC s Documentary Now Entertainment Weekly Retrieved August 24 2015 Why Bill Hader and Fred Armisen Are Parodying Documentaries in Their Latest Ingenious Project Smithsonian Magazine Retrieved July 3 2022 a b IFC Unveils New Comedies From Fred Armisen Seth Meyers amp Rob Huebel As Part Of 2015 Slate Deadline Hollywood March 20 2014 Retrieved August 13 2018 a b c Radish Christina August 7 2015 13 Things to Know about DOCUMENTARY NOW Starring Fred Armisen and Bill Hader Collider Retrieved August 8 2015 de Moraes Lisa July 31 2015 Documentary Now Spoof Born Of Love From Fred Armisen Seth Meyers amp Bill Hader TCA Deadline Hollywood Retrieved August 14 2018 Petski Denise August 18 2015 Fred Armisen Bill Hader amp Seth Meyers Documentary Now Renewed For 2 More Seasons Deadline Hollywood Retrieved August 14 2018 Pedersen Erik August 27 2015 IFC Delays Documentary Now Episode After News Team s On Air Shooting Deadline Hollywood Retrieved August 14 2018 a b c Evans Greg August 1 2018 Cate Blanchett Set For Documentary Now Take On Performance Artist Deadline Hollywood Retrieved August 13 2018 a b Evans Greg August 13 2018 Documentary Now To Tackle Sondheim Stritch amp The Ladies Who Lunch Deadline Hollywood Retrieved August 13 2018 a b Pena Jessica September 7 2018 Documentary Now Season Three IFC Teases New Episodes canceled TV shows TV Series Finale TV Series Finale Retrieved October 20 2018 a b Greene Steve October 10 2018 Michael Keaton and Owen Wilson to Star in Wild Wild Country Inspired Episode of Parody Series Documentary Now IndieWire Retrieved October 10 2018 a b Turnquist Kristi October 11 2018 Owen Wilson plays a Rajneesh like guru in the Oregon filmed Documentary Now OregonLive com Retrieved October 20 2018 Erik Adams October 10 2016 How did I get here Documentary Now s little Talking Heads tribute that could The A V Club Retrieved December 21 2016 Greene Steve January 17 2019 Documentary Now Trailer That s Not Actually Marina Abramovic That s Cate Blanchett IndieWire Retrieved January 26 2019 D Alessandro Anthony December 3 2018 Sundance 2019 MeToo Time s Up IFC s Documentary Now Wu Tang Clan amp Lorena Bobbitt Part Of Indie Episodic Shorts amp Special Events Slate Deadline Hollywood Retrieved January 26 2019 Documentary Now Season 52 Preview Sundance Film Festival Sundance Film Festival Retrieved January 26 2019 Gajjar Saloni February 10 2022 Documentary Now will finally return for season 4 in 2022 The A V Club Retrieved February 24 2022 Documentary Now Season 4 Adds Alexander Skarsgard and Nicholas Braun as Guest Stars Collider Carey Matthew August 17 2022 TIFF Announces Doc Lineup Highlighted By World Premiere Of Hillary And Chelsea Clinton Executive Produced Film In Her Hands Deadline Retrieved August 17 2022 Documentary Now Season 1 Rotten Tomatoes Fandango Retrieved June 30 2019 Documentary Now Season 1 Metacritic CBS Interactive Retrieved June 30 2018 Poniewozik James Hale Mike Genzlinger Neil December 7 2015 The Best TV Shows of 2015 The New York Times Retrieved August 13 2018 Documentary Now Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Fandango Retrieved October 10 2018 Documentary Now Season 2 Metacritic CBS Interactive Retrieved October 10 2018 Documentary Now Season 3 Rotten Tomatoes Fandango Retrieved August 30 2020 Documentary Now Season 3 Metacritic CBS Interactive Retrieved March 11 2019 Outstanding Variety Sketch Series 2016 Emmys com Academy of Television Arts amp Sciences Retrieved July 21 2017 Prudom Laura September 7 2016 Critics Choice Awards Reveal Most Exciting New Series Honorees The Hollywood Reporter Retrieved July 21 2017 Petski Denise December 5 2016 WGA TV Nominations The Americans Stranger Things Westworld This Is Us Among Nominees Deadline Hollywood Retrieved July 19 2017 Outstanding Variety Sketch Series 2017 Emmys com Academy of Television Arts amp Sciences Retrieved July 21 2017 Emmy Nominations 2019 People Retrieved July 16 2019 Documentary Now Television Academy Retrieved 2022 10 22 a b Emmy Nominations 2019 Emmys com Academy of Television Arts amp Sciences Retrieved July 16 2019 Mortensen Adam August 17 2018 Documentary Now Seasons 1 and 2 Blu ray Review Geeky Hobbies Geeky Hobbies Retrieved October 25 2018 Salesman Amazon Original Cast Album Company The Criterion Collection Retrieved 2021 07 22 Documentary Now s Emmy Nominated Co op Original Cast Album Out Now PlaybillExternal links EditOfficial website Documentary Now at IMDb IFC s playlist of excerpts and trailers on official YouTube channel Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Documentary Now amp oldid 1131142572, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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