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At Netflix, October isn’t just for scary movies; it’s also for funny documentaries.
The streamer will premiere four feature docs celebrating some of comedy’s most influential voices and institutions, with one film rolling
out each week in October.
Debuting on Oct. 7 is “Who Is Martin Mull?,” from the late Bob Saget and Neil Berkeley. The film tells the story of the Chicago-born actor, musician and painter known for “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and for playing Gene Parmesan on “Arrested Development.” Per the logline, it “traces his restless reinvention from smoky folk clubs to primetime sitcoms to gallery walls, told in his own words and by the friends who watched it happen, including Steve Martin, Tom Waits, David Alan Grier and others.” The film is produced by Sean Bradley, Tara Billik and Berkeley and executive produced by Kevin S. Bright, Saget, Morgan Neville and Caitrin Rogers.
Next is Judd Apatow’s previously announced Norm Macdonald documentary, which premieres on Oct. 16. “Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald” is an intimate portrait of the “Saturday Night Live” legend, chronicling “his rise as the deadpan anchor of “Weekend Update” to his enduring legacy as a comedian’s comedian — a master of the absurd, the dry, and the unexpected,” per the logline. The doc is built entirely from archival footage, personal photos and rare home videos. (Last year, Apatow solicited “unique photos and videos of Norm” from fans on Instagram.) It’s produced by Apatow, Amanda Rohlke and Ross M. Dinerstein. EPs are Josh Church, Marc Gurvitz, Jon Liebman, Zoe Rogovin, Mark McCune and Ross Girard.
A Maria Bamford documentary from Apatow and Berkeley is coming to Netflix on Oct. 23. “Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story,” which first premiered at Sundance earlier this year, is a funny and tender glimpse into the childhood, early career and present-day life of a comedy great, who is known for “turning radical honesty into radical comedy — often blurring the line between performance and personal crisis.” Producing alongside Apatow and Berkeley are Amanda Rohlke and David Heiman. Josh Church, Wayne Federman and Olivia Rosenbloom executive produce.
Lastly, on Oct. 30 comes “SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of.” The documentary, from Jason Hehir, the director of the Michael Jordan miniseries “The Last Dance,” tells the story of one of the most influential sketch comedy series in TV history. “Second City Television” helped boost the careers of John Candy, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Rick Moranis and more future comedy greats. “Through intimate interviews with surviving members of its legendary cast and an emotional reunion in Toronto, the film explores the creative partnership that transformed a small Canadian television production into a cultural phenomenon that launched some of comedy’s most celebrated icons,” according to the description. The film promises never-before-shared stories and rare archival material. Chapman Downes, Whitney Johnson, Andrew Hafnor, Molly Montgomery and Kelly Meinhardt are producers. EPs are Jimmy Kimmel, Scott Lonker and Hehir.
In addition to the upcoming SCTV documentary, all episodes of “Second City TV” will be arriving on Netflix starting on Sept. 1.
