Paul T. Goldman

Last updated
Paul T. Goldman
Genre Documentary
Directed by Jason Woliner
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
ProducerTyler Ben-Amotz
Running time30-63 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Peacock
ReleaseJanuary 1 (2023-01-01) –
January 22, 2023 (2023-01-22)

Paul T. Goldman is an American true crime documentary miniseries directed by Jason Woliner. The show revolves around Paul Finkelman, a man who uncovers fraud and deception caused by his ex-wife. According to Vulture , the show is "an inscrutable blend of true crime and true-crime satire, documentary storytelling, and dramatized reenactments" of Finkelman's life." [1] It premiered on January 1, 2023 on Peacock. [2]

Contents

Plot

Paul T. Goldman is loosely based on Paul Finkelman's semi-autobiographical self-published book, self-published screenplay, and self-published spinoff series. [3] In a series of interviews, reenactments, and behind-the-scenes shots at the film set, the series describes Paul's relationship with his second wife, whom he refers to as Audrey Munson (an alias named after Audrey Munson). He believes that she was living a double life as a prostitute, dating her pimp Royce Rocco and running an international sex trafficking ring. [4] Paul's unreliability becomes more and more apparent. According to Variety, the story of Paul's life matters less than "his aggressive self-belief and his unusual personal qualities." [5]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byOriginal air date
1"BCBS" Jason Woliner January 1, 2023 (2023-01-01)
2"Moscow"Jason WolinerJanuary 1, 2023 (2023-01-01)
3"Royce"Jason WolinerJanuary 1, 2023 (2023-01-01)
4"The Trial"Jason WolinerJanuary 8, 2023 (2023-01-08)
5"The Chronicles"Jason WolinerJanuary 15, 2023 (2023-01-15)
6"The Warrior"Jason WolinerJanuary 22, 2023 (2023-01-22)

Production

Development

In 2009, Paul Finkelman, an insurance quoter, [6] [7] as Paul T. Goldman, published Duplicity: A True Story of Crime and Deceit [8] [9] [10]

In 2012, Finkelman/Goldman contacted Woliner. [11] [1] [6]

In May 2022 Peacock had given a straight-to-series order to an untitled series, with Seth Rogen set to executive produce under his Point Grey Pictures banner. [12] Director Jason Woliner had been working on the show, in some capacity, for more than a decade. [3]

Casting

In June 2022, Rosanna Arquette, Frank Grillo, Dennis Haysbert, Melinda McGraw and Dee Wallace joined the cast of the series, in undisclosed capacities. [13] In July 2022, Christopher Stanley, W. Earl Brown, Josh Pais, Irina Maleeva, James Remar, Paul Ben-Victor and Hilda Boulware joined the cast of the series. [14]

Reception

The show received mixed but mostly positive reviews. [15] Hershal Pandya of Vulture described the show as "formally inventive and tonally adventurous" as Paul T. Goldman [1] Nick of Collider called it "arguably the first can’t-miss TV show of 2023." [16] Daniel Fienberg of Hollywood Reporter described it as "an undeniably fascinating, invariably uncomfortable piece of television." [17] The New Yorker writes that the show is "experimental—and disturbing." They further added that "the series is an astute portrait of a man who has mastered the art of concealing his misogyny behind a bumbling benignity." [3] The Daily Beast writes that the series blurs fiction and reality in a way that's nearly as bizarre as The Rehearsal but that Woliner's portrayal of Paul as "a colorful loon" felt "a bit mean." [4] Variety called the series "more cruel than dazzling." [5]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 76% based on 16 reviews, with an average rating of 7.00/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "This comedic docuseries-with-an-asterisk may strike some as ethically questionable and others as too opaque to fuss over, but there's no denying that Paul T. Goldman makes an unforgettable impression." [18] On Metacritic, the series holds a rating of 63 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courteney Cox</span> American actress and filmmaker (born 1964)

Courteney Bass Cox is an American actress and filmmaker. She gained international recognition for her starring role as Monica Geller in the NBC sitcom Friends (1994–2004). Cox received further recognition for starring as Gale Weathers in the horror film franchise Scream (1996–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanna Arquette</span> American actress

Rosanna Lisa Arquette is an American actress. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance in the TV film The Executioner's Song (1982) and won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the film Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). Her other film roles include After Hours, The Big Blue (1988), Pulp Fiction (1994), and Crash (1996). She also directed the documentary Searching for Debra Winger (2002) and starred in the ABC sitcom What About Brian? from 2006 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patricia Arquette</span> American actress (born 1968)

Patricia Arquette is an American actress. She made her feature film debut as Kristen Parker in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) and has since starred in several film and television productions. She has received several awards including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Woliner</span> American comedian

Jason Woliner is an American director, writer and a former child actor. He was the non-performing member of the comedy group Human Giant and directed the bulk of their output. After that, he directed, co-wrote, and acted as showrunner on the cult Adult Swim series Eagleheart starring Chris Elliott. Woliner has directed episodes of Fox's The Last Man on Earth, NBC's Parks and Recreation, and Comedy Central's Nathan for You and Jon Benjamin Has a Van, among others. In 2020, he directed Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Grillo</span> American actor

Frank Anthony Grillo is an American actor. He played Brock Rumlow / Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and animated series What If...? (2021).

<i>Human Giant</i> American TV series or program

Human Giant is a sketch comedy show, starring writer/performers Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer, and directed primarily by Jason Woliner. The show ran for two seasons on MTV. In interviews, the group has mentioned that they were offered a third season by MTV but were unable to complete it due to Ansari's commitments to the hit NBC show Parks and Recreation, while Ansari mentioned on Howard Stern that the show's end was more because it is hard to keep a sketch show consistently funny over several seasons. The group has stated that MTV has left the door open for the group to complete a third season at a later date or to produce a special for the network. In 2010, Ansari, Huebel and Scheer reunited to do a skit for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newport Beach Film Festival</span> Annual film festival in California

The Newport Beach Film Festival(NBFF) is an annual film festival in Newport Beach, California, typically held in late April. In 2022, it was announced that the festival have permanently changed its date to be held in October, as the festival began positioning itself for Oscar season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Content Productions</span> American television production company

Universal Content Productions (UCP) is an American television production company operating within the Universal Studio Group division of NBCUniversal, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jena Friedman</span> American comedian and writer

Jena Friedman is an American comedian and writer. She is the host of the comedic true-crime series Indefensible on AMC+. She has been a field producer at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has written for Late Show with David Letterman. She is the creator of Soft Focus with Jena Friedman for Adult Swim, the first installment of which premiered in February 2018.

<i>Trading Favors</i> 1997 American crime drama film

Trading Favors is a 1997 American film directed by Sondra Locke starring Rosanna Arquette.

<i>Escape at Dannemora</i> 2018 television miniseries

Escape at Dannemora is an American crime drama television limited series that premiered on Showtime on November 18, 2018. It is based on the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape. The seven-episode series was created and written by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin and directed by Ben Stiller. It stars Benicio del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano, Bonnie Hunt, Eric Lange, and David Morse.

<i>The Act</i> (TV series) 2019 American limited series

The Act is an American biographical crime drama limited series that premiered in eight parts on March 20, 2019, on Hulu. The plot is based on the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was accused of abusing her daughter by fabricating illness and disabilities as a direct consequence of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Joey King portrayed Gypsy, while Patricia Arquette played her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. AnnaSophia Robb, Chloë Sevigny, and Calum Worthy star in supporting roles.

<i>Dr. Death</i> (2021 TV series) American crime drama television series

Dr. Death is an American true crime drama anthology television series created by Patrick Macmanus, based on the podcast of the same name. It premiered on Peacock on July 15, 2021. In July 2022, the series was renewed for a second season that premiered on December 21, 2023.

<i>The Amber Ruffin Show</i> American late-night talk show

The Amber Ruffin Show is an American comedy late-night talk show. Produced by Universal Television and Sethmaker Shoemeyers Productions and starring Amber Ruffin, it features a mix of sketches and monologues. The series was ordered for nine half-hour episodes and premiered on NBCUniversal's video-streaming service Peacock on September 25, 2020. Peacock ordered an additional 10 episodes in December 2020, and the series was promoted with a brief run on the NBC broadcast network in February and March 2021. The third season premiered on September 30, 2022. In 2023, it was announced the program would only return on occasion as specials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Bakalova</span> Bulgarian actress (born 1996)

Maria Valcheva Bakalova is a Bulgarian actress. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Critics' Choice Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

<i>A Friend of the Family</i> (miniseries) American true crime drama miniseries

A Friend of the Family is an American true crime drama television miniseries. Based on true events, it focuses on Robert Berchtold, who in the 1970s twice sexually abused and kidnapped Jan Broberg. The show stars Jake Lacy as Berchtold, and Hendrix Yancey and Mckenna Grace as Broberg at different ages. Colin Hanks, Lio Tipton, and Anna Paquin appear in supporting roles.

Based on a True Story is an American comedy thriller television series created by Craig Rosenberg, starring Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina. The series premiered on Peacock on June 8, 2023. In October 2023, the series was renewed for a second season.

<i>Mrs. Davis</i> American television limited series

Mrs. Davis is an American science fiction comedy drama limited series created by Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof for Peacock. The series stars Betty Gilpin as a nun using her faith to take on technology, and a supporting cast including Jake McDorman, Margo Martindale, David Arquette and Elizabeth Marvel. It premiered at SXSW on March 11, 2023, before its debut on Peacock on April 20.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Pandya, Hershal (2023-01-23). "A Journey Into the Paul T. Goldman Cinematic Universe". Vulture. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  2. ↑ Chapman, Wilson (December 8, 2022). "'Paul T. Goldman' Trailer: Peacock Series From 'Borat 2' Director Is Even Stranger Than 'Borat'". IndieWire . Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "It's Sunny with a Chance of Murder in Natasha Lyonne's "Poker Face"". The New Yorker. 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. 1 2 Schager, Nick (2023-01-01). "The Strangest TV Show You Might Ever Watch". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  5. 1 2 D'Addario, Daniel (2022-12-28). "'Paul T. Goldman' Is a Meta Journey That's More Cruel Than Dazzling: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  6. 1 2 Parker, Maggie (24 January 2023). "He Was Scammed By His Wife, But What Came Next Is Unbelievable". Katie Couric Media. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  7. ↑ O'Keefe, Meghan (2023-01-10). "'Paul T. Goldman' Is Even Darker Than Nathan Fielder's 'The Rehearsal'". decider.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  8. ↑ Goldman, Paul T. (21 August 2009). Duplicity: A True Story of Crime and Deceit. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN   978-1-4392-4345-9.
  9. ↑ Sorokach, Josh (2023-01-03). "Is Peacock's 'Paul T. Goldman' Based On A Real Story?". decider.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Wickman, Kase (21 April 2023). "The Director of 'Paul T. Goldman' Does Not Want You to Read This Interview". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Kundu, Tamal (23 January 2023). "Where is Paul Finkelman aka Paul T. Goldman Now?". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  12. ↑ White, Peter (May 11, 2022). "'Borat' Sequel Director Jason Woliner Lands Straight-To-Series Mystery At Peacock; Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg Among EPs". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  13. ↑ Petski, Denise (June 10, 2022). "Rosanna Arquette, Frank Grillo, Dennis Haysbert Among 5 Cast In Jason Woliner's Peacock Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  14. ↑ Behzadi, Sofia (July 29, 2022). "Jason Woliner's Peacock Series Adds 7 To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Paul T. Goldman - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  16. ↑ L, Nick (2023-01-12). "'Paul T. Goldman' Blurs the Line Between Fact and Fiction". Collider. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  17. ↑ Fienberg, Daniel (2022-12-28). "'Paul T. Goldman' Review: Peacock's Docuseries Straddles an Uneasy, Laugh-Free Line Between Real Life and Satire". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  18. ↑ "Paul T. Goldman". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Paul T. Goldman". Metacritic . Retrieved January 20, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.