I'm loving the era of the limited series. I like how features are close-ended, but I also like it when you can really delve into the characters the way only a series allows. The limited-series gives us the best of both worlds, paving the way for shows like "Chernobyl", "Fosse/Verdon", "Watchmen", and this season's "Perry Mason" (although I'm hoping it gets a season two – or would it be a sequel?). Due to the fact that they're limited run commitments, you typically get a pretty high-class of talent attached, often even folks that have other long-running gigs. One of the most intriguing limited series on deck was slated to be Milo Ventimiglia's Evel Knievel series, but it looks like the USA Network is scrapping the show in the wake of COVID-19, with pre-production having been shut down since March.
According to their official statement, "USA is incredibly disappointed to have had to make this decision, as we were so excited about this project and working with Milo, Etan, and everyone involved.”
What a bummer. Evel Knievel's life story would have made for a really intriguing limited series, although hopefully it'll be shopped elsewhere. It seems like too good of a project not to happen. According to Variety, who broke the story first, the series was "based on the story of the larger-than-life 1970s daredevil as he prepares for his greatest death-defying feat, the historic Snake River Canyon jump."
Speaking of Evel, back in the seventies, at the height of his popularity, Hollywood tried to turn him into an action hero in VIVA KNIEVEL, with none other than Gene Kelly as his sidekick, Leslie Nielsen as the baddie, and Frank Gifford playing…Frank Gifford! Check out the baffling trailer below!
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