Showtime ordered documentary series from LeBron James, with title inspired by Fox News Laura Ingraham’s plea that the NBA star « shut up and dribble. »
Fox News; Getty Images
Showtime has ordered a three-part documentary series from LeBron James about athlete activism, with a title inspired by Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s infamous plea that the NBA star “shut up and dribble.”
The three-part docuseries — and yes, “Shut Up and Dribble” is the actual title — will be executive produced by James and his business partner Maverick Carter, under their SpringHill Productions banner. The series will be directed by Gotham Chopra, who knows a thing or two about athlete-driven documentaries, having directed Facebook’s Tom Brady docuseries “Tom vs Time” and “Kobe Bryant’s Muse” for Showtime.
Showtime describes the three-part as “a powerful inside look at the changing role of athletes in our fraught cultural and political environment, through the lens of the NBA.”
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Back in February, the conservative Fox News host called out James and fellow NBA star Kevin Durant for some anti-Trump remarks the pair made in an interview. “You’re great players; no one voted for you,” Ingraham said during her Feb. 15 show. “Millions elected Trump to be their coach. So keep the political commentary to yourself, or as someone once said, ‘shut up and dribble.’”
That will serve as the prologue for the series as it chronicles the modern history of the NBA and its players, starting with the 1976 merger of the freewheeling ABA and the more conventional NBA of today.
“If being a star athlete is inherently a political experience, ‘Shut Up and Dribble’ tells that complex and dramatic story from the past to the present and from the inside out,” said Nevins. “LeBron James is one of many competitors whose place in the spotlight has led not to silence but perspective, and he, Maverick Carter and Gotham Chopra have given us an important, insightful docuseries that should bring their fans and fellow citizens to a higher level of discourse, rather than the dismissal satirized in the title.”
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“Shut Up and Dribble” will premiere sometime in October, right around the time LeBron James will make his highly-anticipated debut for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rich Paul, Chopra, Martin Desmond Roe, Chris Uetwiller and Datari Turner are also executive producers.
Laura Ingraham’s 8 Biggest Feuds, from David Hogg to LeBron James (Photos)
Laura Ingraham lost eight sponsors from her Fox News show this week after criticizing Parkland shooting survivor and activist David Hogg. And it’s not even the first time she’s been at the center of a public feud this year. Here are several recent instances where Ingraham has taken to Twitter or to the air and stirred national attention. Getty Images
David Hogg
On March 28, Ingraham tweeted, « David Hogg by Rejected Four Colleges To Which He Applied and whines about it. » Hogg then called for a boycott of 12 companies that advertise on Ingraham’s show. Eight sponsors in all, Hulu, TripAdvisor, Wayfair, Nutrish, Expedia, Stitch Fix, Johnson & Johnson and Nestle pulled their ads from “The Ingraham Angle.” Ingraham issued an apology, but didn’t address the topic on her show and hasn’t yet deleted her original tweet. Hogg then told CNN that he plans to put even more pressure on Ingraham and others. “The fact that they’re going after us personally shows that what we’re doing is working. We have them scared and now we have to go even harder,” Hogg said. Getty Images
LeBron James
When NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant made some anti-Trump remarks during an interview with ESPN’s Cari Champion, Ingraham called James’s comments « ignorant » and said, « You’re great players; no one voted for you. Millions elected Trump to be their coach. So keep the political commentary to yourself, or as someone once said, ‘shut up and dribble.’” Her statement earned a strong response from James, even though he said he didn’t even know Ingraham’s name. “I will not just shut up and dribble,” the Cleveland Cavaliers player said . “So, thank you, whatever her name is… I get to sit up here and talk about what’s really important and how I can help change kids. » Ingraham issued a statement that there was no racial intent behind her words and that she has used the expression telling entertainers to « Shut Up » frequently in the past. Getty Images
Hillary Clinton
While speaking at the Republican National Convention, Ingraham was criticized for appearing to give the Nazi salute after her speech. She then dragged Hillary Clinton into the controversy, tweeting a collage of photos of Clinton also extending her hand in a similar fashion. « It’s Hillary… hands down! » « Duh… it’s a satiric response to the left-wing criticism of Laura’s wave last night. Desperate liberals,” Ingraham tweeted. YouTube
Paul Ryan
Back in 2015 when Paul Ryan was being considered to be Speaker of the House, he said he would accept the job on the condition that « family comes first. » « I cannot and I will not give up my family time, » Ryan said. Ingraham tweeted, but later deleted, a criticism saying, « like no one has ever sacrificed family time to serve the country? » « Our country is in a crisis and we need Republican leaders willing to unconditionally offer their service to the country, » she added in a separate tweet. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Mika Brzezinski
Engaged hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough have a habit of getting flirty on « Morning Joe, » and Ingraham finds it hilarious. On Feb. 8, Sean Hannity prepared to hand off the time Ingraham when she started twirling her hair, lilting her voice and doing her best flirty Brzenzski impression. “What, what Sean, you’re always right. No you’re always right. You. Are. Always. Right. I mean, really,” Ingraham said. Fox
Ed Schultz
Ingraham didn’t start this fight. The MSNBC personality called Ingraham a « right-wing slut » on his radio show, a comment that earned him a week-long suspension from MSNBC. He apologized and called his comments « vile and inappropriate, » and Ingraham accepted his apology. She even joked that Schultz used to be conservative. « We’ll welcome you back with open arms, » she said. MSNBC
Donald Trump
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Ingraham critiqued the president for leaving much of his executive branch understaffed. “We can all look at these horrific pictures, and we can conclude that a federal government does need staff, » Ingraham said. Trump, a frequent viewer of « Fox & Friends, » heard Ingraham’s criticism of his administration loud and clear and responded to her directly on Twitter.
