Home Television Chaz Bono: Everyone Wants His Movie (Not Just Oprah)

Chaz Bono‘s documentary about his life changes– from female to male, etc–is a hot commodity.

I told you this morning that Rosie O’Donnell was producing the film for Oprah’s OWN Channel. It turns out it’s a lot more complicated than that.

Rosie, in fact, saw a “sizzle” reel of the film and went nuts for it. In her deal at OWN, she is able to select docs for the channel and host them–sort of like Alistair Cooke used to do for “Masterpiece Theater.” She can do wraparounds, etc.

When Rosie saw the footage from Chaz’s movie, she immediately wanted it.

I’m curious to see what other documentaries Rosie curates for OWN. She will wind up being a great tastemaker for the channel. Chaz Bono should be delighted she’s sought after by the top women in daytime TV.

But I’m told the deal isn’t done, and that OWN and Rosie and Oprah have not yet nailed it down. The Chaz story could still wind up somewhere else.  It’s O’Donnell’s enthusiasm for it that’s driving the activity.

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Author
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
5 replies to this post
  1. Yes! Finally someone with “real” life story telling that isnt about glamour and glitz but struggle and acceptance of something no one knows very little about. Thats Chaz for your honesty and pride.

  2. The choices that Oprah’s making for her OWN network seem radical on the one end, and uninteresting on the other. If this doesn’t work she’s end up like TNN and host old-time movies from the 1940s and 1950s.

  3. Sorry to say it, but what has Chaz done in her life beyond being the Lesbian child of a superstar and no a transsexual? I have yet to hear of her doing anything talent wise or giving back – even in educating the gay community. Where’s Elijah Blue.

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