Apple

Last year, Apple announced that they were investing $1 billion a year into original series to offer in a streaming capacity similar to Netflix.  Among the projects announced were a reboot of the 1980s Steven Spielberg fantasy anthology ‘Amazing Stories’, a new sci-fi series from ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘Outlander’ creator Ronald D. Moore, an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ novels from David S. Goyer, a series inspired by the 1981 Terry Gilliam movie ‘Time Bandits’, an unrevealed project from M. Night Shyamalan and more.

According to the Wall Street Journal, progress has been stalled on nearly all projects, because Apple has dictated that its streaming projects be completely safe– no profanity, no nudity or sex, no excessive violence, no drug use and in the case of Shyamalan’s thriller, no crucifixes or “religious subjects or politics.”  Among the other changes implemented, the showrunner of ‘Amazing Stories’ was replaced after their ideas were determined to be “too dark.”

Apple’s first show was not a genre project, but rather a drama called ‘Vital Signs’ based on the life of hip hop legend Dr. Dre.  Of course, part of his life was already chronicled in the 2015 theatrical hit ‘Straight Outta Compton’.  Tim Cook, who is overseeing this endeavor reportedly balked at the pilot, which featured cocaine use, an extended orgy scene, and guns.  He reportedly told Apple Music executive Jimmy Iovine, “Apple can’t show this.”

And while Dr. Dre is known to be an edgy talent– which begs the question of why Apple though he would be a good fit to begin with– another project from a surprising source has also been delayed.  A comedy series starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston is also being retooled because Cook “wanted a more upbeat show and took exception to some of the humor proposed.”

That’s Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston.  They invented this #basic game, son.

Why the sanitized approach?  It’s because Apple isn’t an entertainment outlet.  Until now, the entertainment offered by them hasn’t actually originated with them.  They’re like a digital Best Buy, circa 2000.  They just sell the music, TV shows, and movies.  They’ve never made it.  Their big money comes from sales of iPhones, iPads, and Macs.  They’re afraid that if they make a series that’s too controversial, that there will be a backlash and buyers will boycott THOSE items and they don’t want to take that chance.

While controversial shows like ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Westworld’, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ’13 Reasons Why’ gain attention, awards, and buzz, they also take heat and that’s something that Apple doesn’t want.  They are hoping that they can create shows closer to what airs on network TV and still compete with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, etc.