There is a lot riding on DreamWorks first primetime 3D-animated series, FATHER OF THE PRIDE, about the backstage antics of the family of lions in the Siegfried and Roy Vegas act, which debuts tonight (Aug. 31, 2004) at 9:00 pm on NBC.
First, there is the fact that DreamWorks is attempting to spin off its animation company, headed by partner Jeffrey Katzenberg, which needs more than the SHREK phenomenon to entice investors, so the success of this adult-themed series would go a long way.
Then there is the fact that, with the exception of FOX, primetime animation aimed at adults has not fared well in recent years at other networks. Plus, when you factor in the high cost of this CGI series, around $1.6 million per episode, youre talking about the most expensive first-year sitcom ever.
Will the SHREK ethos translate to primetime TV? Exec producer Katzenberg, whose brainchild this is, obviously thinks so. And so does NBC entertainment chief Jeff Zucker, who greenlit FATHER OF THE PRIDE.
First, there were sensitivities concerning the mauling of Roy Horn last October. However, he is on the mend and is fully behind the series (both Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher serve as exec producers).
Now there are concerns that FATHER OF THE PRIDE is not family-friendly enough to be a breakout hit, despite the cute, cuddly lions, because the first few episodes contain sexual and drug-related references.
Then again, without FRIENDS and FRASER, FATHER OF THE PRIDE may turn out to be witty and cutting edge enough to make its own mark the way THE SIMPSONS has.
The voice cast of this bickering show biz family includes John Goodman (Larry), Cheryl Hines (Kate), Carl Reiner (Sarmoti), Orlando Jones (Snack), Julian Holloway (Siegfried) and Dave Herman (Roy).
Produced by DreamWorks Animation (with additional animation provided by Imagi in Hong Kong). Ron Weiner is the producer, co-exec producer Cheryl Holliday is the writer and Mark Risley is the director.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
