Apple TV+ series "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet" is set to launch on February 7, and star and creator Rob McElhenney has shared some insights into working with Apple ahead of the show's debut.
In an interview with Variety, McElhenney said that Apple was "really helpful" in the creative process. He said that Apple would push back on aspects of the show that it felt strongly about, but ultimately deferred to McElhenney and his team.
Pushback, he said, is an essential part of the creative process as working with no challenges is "never a good thing."
"Deference would assume we always know what we're doing and when we walk into the room everyone should just be quiet," he says. "That is dangerous because then you have no opposition, and it doesn't make for the best process."
Prior to the launch of Apple TV+, there were rumors that Apple was not allowing more mature content and attempting to keep the service family friendly, but that has turned out to be inaccurate. Multiple Apple TV+ shows feature violence, adult themes, and adult language, much like other streaming services on the market, though there are some shows tailored specifically towards children such as "Helpsters" and "Ghostwriter."
Prior information has suggested that Apple has been rather involved in some of the TV shows on Apple TV+, and there were reports that Apple CEO Tim Cook and other executives were "intrusive," making Apple "difficult" to deal with, but McElhenney doesn't appear to have felt Apple's involvement was over the top.
On the topic of Apple TV+ reviews, McElhenney said that Apple is "working out some kinks," and that getting episodes to critics was "a little tricky" but that has now "been ameliorated." McElhenney also said that Apple has been helpful addressing any issues that have popped up. "Any time we've called and said we have an issue, it's all hands on deck and they fix the issue and we move forward," he said.
Matt Cherniss, Apple's head of development, told Variety that he feels like Apple's promotional campaigns have been "really strong" and that everyone he's spoken to has been "really happy with the launches of their shows."
Cherniss also called McElhenney is an "incredible creator." He said that "Mythic Quest" is a great combination of humor, characters, and social commentary, which is why Apple chose to support it.
"Rob is an incredible creator" says Matt Cherniss, Apple's head of development. "It's really rare to find someone who can be a showrunner, a head writer and the star of the show. He is that unique kind of talent." As for "Mythic Quest," he adds: "It was really a combination of humor, smart social commentary, great characters and some surprising heart. That made us feel like it was a great show to have on our service."
"Mythic Quest" was written by McElhenney and his "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" co-star Charlie Day, though Day does not star in the series.
According to McElhenney, "Mythic Quest" will set itself apart from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" through the characters. On "Sunny," the characters are awful people no one is meant to relate to, but in "Mythic Quest," the audience is intended to be invested in the journeys of the main characters.
"Mythic Quest" will focus on a game studio that runs a popular World of Warcraft-style game. McElhenney will play Ian Grimm, the game's creative director, and other stars will include F. Murray Abraham, Danny Pudi, Imani Hakim, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Ashly Burch, and Jessie Ennis.
For those interested in additional detail on "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet," Variety's full interview with Rob McElhenney is worth reading.
Top Rated Comments
I had to do a doubletake, the seriousness and lack of irony with which this Macrumours "news" is written made me almost think of an Onion article...
Edit: Just read the Variety article... And realised why I don't follow any Hollywood "news"
It's important for there to be an independent entity at the top who knows quality and questions creative decisions that go way too far afield. Luckily, Apple is smart enough not to have the technology guys (or Tim Apple) giving feedback/pushback. That's why they hired Erlicht and Van Amburg (if you think it was anyone other than those two and their staff offering pushback, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you). I can guarantee you that many HBO shows turned out the way they did because people like Richard Pepler were on hand to give "pushback."
Look at Marvel with Kevin Feige at the top. There's a reason all the Marvel MCU shows come out with incredibly high production and cohesiveness, despite the huge and diverse amount of different directors and creative people working more directly on the shows. And, to contrast, look at how Kathleen Kennedy managed to completely ruin Star Wars, despite the presence of the top notch (and Star Wars fanatic) JJ Abrams.
McElhenney said that Apple was "really helpful" in the creative process.
The freaking show hasn't even started. He wouldn't cut his own legs off by saying "Oh Apple? Those IT guys really don't get Hollywood. Such a waste".
If he'd EVER say something like that it would be after the show got cancelled. Not before it aired.