Billions on Showtime

[Anonymous]

http://www.businessinsider.com/showtime-billions-pilot-review-2016-1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This show is a perfect example of how hollywood white washes things for tv.

Giamatti's role IRL is an indian guy and the overarching framework of the show (targeting insider trading buyside fund) was similar to the galleon group case - which was a fund run by Raj Rajaratnam (Sri Lankan).

Then again, Showtime wouldn't pick up this show (already picked it up for two seasons) if the producers cast two swarthy types for leads - now would they?

Ridiculous - this isn't 1950 anymore people - oh and the galleon group case is a fresh case, less than 5 years old.

I'm confused. This is a fictional show that is not explicitly based on any real-life events, no? I'm sure that there have been many state's attorneys who have launched investigations into corporate big wigs and traders, right? Why do you think this is about anything in particular? Did I miss something.

IF you want to say that in general there are not enough minorities on the show, that is fine. But to say that any particular part should be cast by a particular ethnicity seems off.

The show is definitely inspired by real people and events, I recognized that in the first episode. http://nypost.com/2015/08/14/embattled-hedgie-inspires-showtime-series/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't stop seeing him as Brody.
I like Paul Giamatti's wife, the Axe shrink.
Enjoying this show, although I think the critics don't like it very much. Apparently it's already been renewed for a second season so we can get invested.

Me too, BRODY!!! Poor Brody. I miss him on Homeland.

My husband and I work in that industry, and there are plenty of references to actual hedge fund, SEC and US Attorney jokes, stereotypes, famous stories, etc. Axe I believe is based on Steven Cohen, at least parts of it. Plus all the fleece wearing, Ivy bomb dropping, Spitzer references, Skadden shout out, and bad take out food, it's hilarious.

hah, jewish run showbiz would've NEVER cast a jewish person in Axe's role. They are very sensitive over the jewish financier stereotype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This show is a perfect example of how hollywood white washes things for tv.

Giamatti's role IRL is an indian guy and the overarching framework of the show (targeting insider trading buyside fund) was similar to the galleon group case - which was a fund run by Raj Rajaratnam (Sri Lankan).

Then again, Showtime wouldn't pick up this show (already picked it up for two seasons) if the producers cast two swarthy types for leads - now would they?

Ridiculous - this isn't 1950 anymore people - oh and the galleon group case is a fresh case, less than 5 years old.

It's not white-washing. Nobody would want to watch that. Or else Bollywood would be a thing here. It's not.

It is precisely white washing when you lift the show underlying event structure from real life and then proceed to cast roles in a completely fraudulent fashion.

Furthermore, bollywood is a type/style of film - putting swarthy people on screen doesn't automatically make something 'bollywood'.

I could agree with your assertion that 'no one would want to watch that'. but that's a reflection of society's racial sickness and until studios and networks actually try, we won't know will we?

Look I wouldn't have a problem if this was a show about 1970's or 80's USAO SDNY doing a RICO case. Casting that is accurate and period reflective is fine.

I do have an issue in this situation when it is blatant and the events are recent (i.e. within the last decade).

Eh. I think you know that the enormous majority of hedge fund managers are euro white males, now and in the past. The current us atty for the SDNY is Indian American and immediately before him came: a white guy, a white Hispanic guy, another white guy,another white guy and a white woman. ALL of whom prosecuted Wall Street crimes to varying degrees. Find a better test case, as they say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This show is a perfect example of how hollywood white washes things for tv.

Giamatti's role IRL is an indian guy and the overarching framework of the show (targeting insider trading buyside fund) was similar to the galleon group case - which was a fund run by Raj Rajaratnam (Sri Lankan).

Then again, Showtime wouldn't pick up this show (already picked it up for two seasons) if the producers cast two swarthy types for leads - now would they?

Ridiculous - this isn't 1950 anymore people - oh and the galleon group case is a fresh case, less than 5 years old.

I found the Galleon case fascinating but putting an ethnic element into it would be a distraction to most viewers (I'm thinking of Don Cheadle's Marty in House of Lies).

I'm loving the show.

Pretty pathetic that you can't see past your own bias. That thinking actually sucks and is disappointing.

Eh. Too bad. I'm actually AA and tired of dark skinned criminals on screen. Kinda weird you're so obsessed with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This show is a perfect example of how hollywood white washes things for tv.

Giamatti's role IRL is an indian guy and the overarching framework of the show (targeting insider trading buyside fund) was similar to the galleon group case - which was a fund run by Raj Rajaratnam (Sri Lankan).

Then again, Showtime wouldn't pick up this show (already picked it up for two seasons) if the producers cast two swarthy types for leads - now would they?

Ridiculous - this isn't 1950 anymore people - oh and the galleon group case is a fresh case, less than 5 years old.

I found the Galleon case fascinating but putting an ethnic element into it would be a distraction to most viewers (I'm thinking of Don Cheadle's Marty in House of Lies).

I'm loving the show.

Pretty pathetic that you can't see past your own bias. That thinking actually sucks and is disappointing.

another pp - agreed, pretty sad stuff.

SO SAD. Cheadle is AMAZING in that role. Are you saying that he is a distraction because he's black?! WTF?

NO. I'm saying that Marty Kaan's ethnicity is a major part of the plot structure in a way that would detract from this show. Do we really need to take a detour into Sri Lankin culture? Why? What does it add to the story? Writers would still embellish in a way that would likely be unflattering - even reality TV is not quite reality - and I have to wonder why you're so anxious to see that.

[Anonymous]

Can we stay on track here in this thread? Anyway, I'm very curious as to why there is animosity regarding whatever happened after 9/11. So apparently in 2001 Axe was a partner with many partners, and he was the only one NOT in the office during 9/11 so I assume their office was in one of the towers. This must be a reference to Cantor Fitzgerald whose CEO was running late that day because he was taking his kid to school.

In the show I wonder what Axe did, besides pay for those kids' college tuitions, that pisses people off?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay on track here in this thread? Anyway, I'm very curious as to why there is animosity regarding whatever happened after 9/11. So apparently in 2001 Axe was a partner with many partners, and he was the only one NOT in the office during 9/11 so I assume their office was in one of the towers. This must be a reference to Cantor Fitzgerald whose CEO was running late that day because he was taking his kid to school.

In the show I wonder what Axe did, besides pay for those kids' college tuitions, that pisses people off?

Maybe he was the only one who wasn't there and the reason was something frivolous. And possibly that he could be doing more to take care of the families rather than making ostentatious purchases. The wives were likely women who never had to work while their husbands were making millions/year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay on track here in this thread? Anyway, I'm very curious as to why there is animosity regarding whatever happened after 9/11. So apparently in 2001 Axe was a partner with many partners, and he was the only one NOT in the office during 9/11 so I assume their office was in one of the towers. This must be a reference to Cantor Fitzgerald whose CEO was running late that day because he was taking his kid to school.

In the show I wonder what Axe did, besides pay for those kids' college tuitions, that pisses people off?

He lived and he gained from it. Simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay on track here in this thread? Anyway, I'm very curious as to why there is animosity regarding whatever happened after 9/11. So apparently in 2001 Axe was a partner with many partners, and he was the only one NOT in the office during 9/11 so I assume their office was in one of the towers. This must be a reference to Cantor Fitzgerald whose CEO was running late that day because he was taking his kid to school.

In the show I wonder what Axe did, besides pay for those kids' college tuitions, that pisses people off?

He lived and he gained from it. Simple.

I don't know, I feel like there is more to that story though, I believe a scene from episode 4 shows that the widow who spoke up during the meeting is writing a memoir about it and Axe's wife is worried. Just speculating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay on track here in this thread? Anyway, I'm very curious as to why there is animosity regarding whatever happened after 9/11. So apparently in 2001 Axe was a partner with many partners, and he was the only one NOT in the office during 9/11 so I assume their office was in one of the towers. This must be a reference to Cantor Fitzgerald whose CEO was running late that day because he was taking his kid to school.

In the show I wonder what Axe did, besides pay for those kids' college tuitions, that pisses people off?

He lived and he gained from it. Simple.

Did you watch the 3rd episode yet? There is definitely something sketchy about what Axe did right after 9/11, it was discussed in this episode. Don't want to spoil if you haven't seen it yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay on track here in this thread? Anyway, I'm very curious as to why there is animosity regarding whatever happened after 9/11. So apparently in 2001 Axe was a partner with many partners, and he was the only one NOT in the office during 9/11 so I assume their office was in one of the towers. This must be a reference to Cantor Fitzgerald whose CEO was running late that day because he was taking his kid to school.

In the show I wonder what Axe did, besides pay for those kids' college tuitions, that pisses people off?

He lived and he gained from it. Simple.

I don't know, I feel like there is more to that story though, I believe a scene from episode 4 shows that the widow who spoke up during the meeting is writing a memoir about it and Axe's wife is worried. Just speculating.

Yes, like I said, he gained from it. We don't yet know how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't stop seeing him as Brody.
I like Paul Giamatti's wife, the Axe shrink.
Enjoying this show, although I think the critics don't like it very much. Apparently it's already been renewed for a second season so we can get invested.

The shrink was 'Rachel' on Mad Men. The Jewish department store heiress that had an affair with Draper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't stop seeing him as Brody.
I like Paul Giamatti's wife, the Axe shrink.
Enjoying this show, although I think the critics don't like it very much. Apparently it's already been renewed for a second season so we can get invested.

The shrink was 'Rachel' on Mad Men. The Jewish department store heiress that had an affair with Draper.

I love her on this show too, but agree Brody's wife was bad casting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't stop seeing him as Brody.
I like Paul Giamatti's wife, the Axe shrink.
Enjoying this show, although I think the critics don't like it very much. Apparently it's already been renewed for a second season so we can get invested.

The shrink was 'Rachel' on Mad Men. The Jewish department store heiress that had an affair with Draper.

I love her on this show too, but agree Brody's wife was bad casting.

She was great in Firefly.