advertisement

The Latest: Apatow makes four-hour doc on Shandling

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on the TV critics meeting in Pasadena, California (all times local):

1:50 p.m.

Is four and a half hours of Garry Shandling too much? Not to filmmaker Judd Apatow, who produced an upcoming HBO documentary on him.

Apatow describes Shandling as a mentor. He wrote for Shandling, produced episodes of "The Larry Sanders Show" and even interviewed the comic when he was a 16-year-old high school student doing a radio show on Long Island.

The documentary, presented in two parts premiering March 26 and 27, was an outgrowth of mini-documentaries that Apatow made for Shandling's funeral. The comic died of a heart attack at age 66 on March 24, 2016.

Apatow's film delves into a series of hand-written journals that Shandling kept for 30 years that outlined thinking about his life and career.

"I think he's one of the most important comedy minds of all time," Apatow said.

___

1:05 p.m.

Journalist Ronan Farrow, who has written extensively about sexual misconduct charges against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein for the New Yorker magazine, has signed a three-year television deal with HBO.

Farrow will develop and star in a series of documentary specials focused on the abuse of power by individuals and institutions, the network says.

Farrow says he believes there's a new generation seeking out substantive reporting that takes on powerful interests and attacks systemic unfairness.

Farrow's Weinstein investigation was published on the heels of one by The New York Times, and ignited the current focus on bad behaving men. The story became an embarrassment for NBC News, Farrow's former employer, which decided his work about Weinstein wasn't ready to air and authorized him to take it elsewhere.

___

12:15 p.m.

Actress Mira Sorvino says she hopes the Me Too movement keeps its focus on sexual harassment and doesn't turn into a general women's rights movement.

Sorvino spoke before television critics on Thursday, a day after she penned a public apology to Dylan Farrow. In a letter published on HuffPost, Sorvino says she was sorry for "turning a blind eye" to the accusations Woody Allen's daughter made against him. The former "Mighty Aphrodite" actress vowed never to work with Allen again.

Farrow has maintained her father sexually abused her when she was 7 years old, a charge the filmmaker has denied.

Sorvino is one of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's accusers, saying her career was hurt when she spurned his advances in 1995.

FILE - In this April 22, 2015 file photo, Ronan Farrow attends the Sixth Annual Women in the World Summit opening night in New York. Farrow, who has written extensively about sexual misconduct charges against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein for the New Yorker magazine, has signed a three-year television deal with HBO. Farrow will develop and star in a series of documentary specials focused on the abuse of power by individuals and institutions, the network said. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.