Vinyl (TV series) explained

Opentheme:	"Sugar Daddy" by Sturgill Simpson^[1]
Country:	United States
Language:	English
Num Episodes:	10
List Episodes:	Episodes
Camera:	Single-camera
Runtime:	53–60 minutes 113 minutes (pilot)
Channel:	HBO

Vinyl is an American period drama television series created by Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese, Rich Cohen and Terence Winter. The series stars Bobby Cannavale as Richie Finestra, a New York City-based record executive in 1973. It premiered on HBO on February 14, 2016,^[2] and concluded on April 17, 2016.

From a teleplay by Winter and George Mastras, and story by Cohen, Jagger, Scorsese and Winter, the pilot episode was directed by Scorsese.^[3] The first season consisted of ten episodes.^[4] Scorsese had hoped to direct further episodes of the series.^[5] Winter left his position as showrunner at the end of the first season due to creative differences, leaving the position to Scott Z. Burns.^{[6] [7]}

HBO announced the renewal of Vinyl for a second season on February 18, 2016, soon after the pilot episode premiered.^[8] However, on June 22, 2016, HBO reversed that decision and cancelled the series.^[9] HBO head of programming Casey Bloys said of the decision, "It didn't land. With limited resources, we didn't think the retooling was worth the producers' time if it would only move the needle a little bit."^[10] In October 2018, Scorsese admitted to being heartbroken over the cancellation, describing the decision as "tragic", while also saying that in his opinion, the series would have had a better chance at succeeding if he had been more hands-on with his involvement and directed all episodes.^{[11] [12]}

Premise

The music scene in 1970s New York is still awash in sex and drugs, but rock 'n' roll is giving way to an era of punk, disco and hip-hop. Desperately trying to navigate the changing landscape is American Century Records founder and president Richie Finestra, whose passion for music and discovering talent has gone by the wayside. With his American Century Records on the verge of being sold, a life-altering event rekindles Finestra's professional fire, but it may leave his personal life in ruins.

Cast

Main

• Bobby Cannavale as Richie Finestra, a record executive trying to resurrect his label American Century.^[13]
• Paul Ben-Victor as Maury Gold, a charming, avuncular record company owner.
• P. J. Byrne as Scott Leavitt, the head of legal for American Century.
• Max Casella as Julian "Julie" Silver, the head of A&R of American Century.
• Ato Essandoh as Lester Grimes, a former singer and Richie's ex-colleague.
• James Jagger as Kip Stevens, lead singer of Nasty Bits, a proto-punk band.
• J. C. MacKenzie as Skip Fontaine, head of sales for American Century.
• Jack Quaid as Clark Morelle, a young A&R executive at American Century.
• Ray Romano as Zak Yankovich, head of promotions for American Century.
• Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Ingrid, a Danish actress favored by Andy Warhol and close friend of Devon.
• Juno Temple as Jamie Vine, an ambitious assistant at American Century's A&R Department.
• Olivia Wilde as Devon Finestra, Richie's wife and former actress/model who was once part of Warhol's Factory scene.^[14]

Recurring

• Susan Heyward as Cece, personal secretary to Richie at American Century.
• Emily Tremaine as Heather, receptionist of American Century.
• Ephraim Sykes as Marvin, A&R rep at American Century.
• MacKenzie Meehan as Penny, A&R rep at American Century.
• Griffin Newman as Casper, a mustachioed A&R rep at American Century.
• Jay Klaitz as Hal Underwood
• Annie Parisse as Andrea "Andie" Zito, Richie's former co-worker.
• John Cameron Mitchell as Andy Warhol^[15]
• Bo Dietl as Joe Corso, an "independent promotion man" with possible ties to organized crime.^[16]
• Lena Olin as Mrs. Fineman
• Jason Cottle as Detective Whorisky
• Armen Garo as Corrado Galasso
• Michael Drayer as Detective Renk
• Douglas Smith as Gary / Xavier

Historical figures

Vinyl featured portrayals of a number of musicians, singers and other historical figures of the period, including:

• Christian Peslak as David Johansen, lead singer of New York Dolls
• Jonny D'Ambrosio as Johnny Thunders, guitarist of New York Dolls
• Zebedee Row as Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin
• Ian Hart as Peter Grant, manager of Led Zeppelin
• Vince Nudo as John Bonham, drummer of Led Zeppelin
• Kareem Bunton as Bo Diddley, musician, singer-songwriter, and rock and roll pioneer
• Connor Hanwick as Lou Reed, singer-songwriter and guitarist, and a former member of the Velvet Underground
• Natalie Prass as Karen Carpenter, lead singer of the Carpenters
• Dominique Johnson as DJ Kool Herc, DJ and pioneer of hip hop music
• Dustin Ingram as Alice Cooper, lead singer of Alice Cooper
• James Vincent Boland as Jeff Starship, musician and frontman of Sniper
• Matt Bogart as Robert Goulet, actor and traditional pop singer
• C.P. Lacey as Little Richard, pianist, singer-songwriter, and rock and roll pioneer
• Noah Bean as David Bowie, musician, singer-songwriter, and glam rock pioneer
• Wesley Tunison as Gram Parsons, musician, singer-songwriter, and country rock pioneer
• Shawn Klush as Elvis Presley, singer and rock and roll pioneer
• Gene Jones as Colonel Tom Parker, manager of Elvis Presley
• Leslie Kujo as Bob Marley, lead singer and lead guitarist of Bob Marley and the Wailers
• Stephen Sullivan as John Lennon, singer-songwriter and musician, and former member of the Beatles
• David Vadim as Hilly Kristal, owner of New York City club, CBGB
• Ben Mayne as Billy Name, Warhol collaborator and photographer

Music

The music for Vinyl was released by Atlantic Records & Warner Bros. Records. The first soundtrack album for the series, titled Vinyl (Music from the HBO® Original Series), Vol. 1, was released on February 12, 2016, two days before the show's premiere date. Three months prior, Icelandic rock band Kaleo released their song "No Good" on November 20, 2015, which was later featured in the second trailer for Vinyl, as well as on the show's Volume 1 & 1.6 soundtrack and EP respectively. After the release of Volume 1, Atlantic and Warner Bros. began featuring EPs for episode 2 to episode 9. Each one was made public on iTunes every week before the premiere of each episode, each featuring five songs.

All the songs featured on Volume 1, The EPs, and Vinyl: The Essentials (Best of Season 1) all consists of a mix of songs recorded from the period between the 1950s and 1970s, covers of songs by contemporary artists such as The Arcs, Julian Casablancas, Trey Songz, Chris Cornell, and Andrew W.K. and original songs written for the show to fit with the style of the period by artists such as Ty Taylor's "The World is Yours", Royal Blood's "Where Are You Now?" and Alex Newell's & DJ Cassidy's "Kill the Lights".^[17] Aside from the soundtrack music, the majority of the music featured on Vinyl consists of many genres, including rock, blues, pop, country, jazz, soul, funk, R&B, reggae, punk, disco and hip-hop.

Reception

Vinyl received generally positive reviews from critics. The acting (particularly Cannavale)^{[18] [19]} and directing were generally praised, while the writing and storyline, particularly in the later half of the season, which many called "formulaic"^[20] and "familiar",^{[21] [22]} were criticized.

On Rotten Tomatoes the first five episodes (which were given to critics in advance) holds an approval rating of 76%. The site's consensus reads: "Vinyl doesn't always keep the beat, dramatically speaking, but overall, it capably honors the rock pioneers of the '70s with absorbing stories, a spot-on soundtrack, and rich period detail."^[23] On another review aggregator, Metacritic, the first five episodes holds a score of 71 out of 100.^[24] But as the series progressed, reviews got significantly more critical.^{[25] [26]}

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix gave the first season a B, writing that "there's an awful lot of excess in Vinyl, which perhaps makes sense for a show involving two icons of '70s rock in Jagger and Scorsese. But all of Richie's searching for the next idea, and all of the scenes involving the Nasty Bits or other rising forms of music, suggest a show that really wishes it could strip away all the glam and all the tropes and just do something simple and raw and powerful."^[27] Robert Bianco of USA Today wrote that "what follows is a sometimes humorous, sometimes nostalgic, sometimes bumpy ride through the era, with a story that often seems to halt just when it's picking up momentum. Still, every time the story falters, the characters' and the show's obvious love for popular music in all its forms lifts it back up."^[28]

On the other hand, Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker had a mixed response, writing that "the show improves slightly after the jankily paced pilot, but it never sheds its air of leaden nostalgia."^[29] Verne Gay of Newsday reacted negatively, writing that the show "is a compelling idea in search of a compelling story. There simply isn't much of one, in fact, and--abhorring the ever-present vacuum--a lot of other elements rush in to fill the void. Scenes are padded, lots of flashbacks are even more flaccid, while actors devour the helpless scenery."^[30]

The show was nominated for two Emmy Awards: one for Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) and the other for Main Title Design.^{[31] [32]}

Cancellation

Vinyls renewal for a second season was announced on February 18, 2016 by HBO's programming president Michael Lombardo.^[33] However, HBO announced on June 22, 2016 that they had decided not to proceed with a second season.^[34]

Distribution

International broadcast

In Canada, the series premiered on HBO Canada on February 14, 2016, airing simultaneous with the American broadcast.^[35] In the UK, the series premiered on Sky Atlantic on February 15, 2016, airing at 2:00 a.m. initially to simulcast the U.S. premiere and then again at 9:00 p.m. the same day.^[36] The Australian premiere aired on Showcase on February 15, 2016.^[37] On HBO Asia, the series premiered on February 16, 2016.^[38] In New Zealand it premiered on February 15, 2016 on SoHo on Sky TV.^[39]

Home media

The first and only season of Vinyl was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 7, 2016, by HBO Home Entertainment.^[40]

External links

• • • Opening credits on YouTube
• Official soundtrack playlist
• The Nasty Bits song "Woman Like You" audio only video

Notes and References

1. Hear Sturgill Simpson's Hard-Edged 'Vinyl' Theme 'Sugar Daddy'. Jon Freeman. February 11, 2016. Rolling Stone. February 12, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021504/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/hear-sturgill-simpsons-hard-edged-vinyl-theme-sugar-daddy-185147/. live.
2. News: Petski. Denise. 'Vinyl', 'Girls' & 'Togetherness' Get February Premiere Dates On HBO. October 29, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. October 29, 2015. November 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121181257/https://deadline.com/2015/10/vinyl-girls-togetherness-february-premiere-dates-hbo-1201597306/. live.
3. News: Andreeva. Nellie. Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger & Terence Winter's Rock 'N' Roll Drama Picked Up To Series By HBO. July 31, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. December 2, 2014. December 3, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141203144415/http://deadline.com/2014/12/martin-scorsese-mick-jagger-terence-winter-rock-n-roll-series-pickup-hbo-1201306279/. live.
4. Web site: Denise . Petski . August 6, 2015 . 'Vinyl' Teaser: First Look At Martin Scorsese's '70s-Set Rock Drama For HBO . . February 19, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021454/https://deadline.com/2015/08/vinyl-teaser-video-bobby-cannavale-olivia-wilde-hbo-1201493982/ . live .
5. Web site: Martin Scorsese Hopes to 'Direct a Few More' Episodes of 'Vinyl'. Joe Otterson. January 8, 2016. TheWrap. January 17, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021504/https://www.thewrap.com/martin-scorsese-hopes-to-direct-a-few-more-episodes-of-vinyl/. live.
6. Web site: Elizabeth Wagmeister . Terence Winter Out as 'Vinyl' Showrunner Following Creative Differences . Variety . April 8, 2016 . August 20, 2016 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021514/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/terence-winter-vinyl-quit-leaving-hbo-1201749342/ . live .
7. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 'Vinyl': Showrunner Terence Winter Exits HBO Drama Series . Deadline Hollywood . April 8, 2016 . August 20, 2016 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021450/https://deadline.com/2016/04/vinyl-showrunner-terence-winter-exits-hbo-1201734449/ . live .
8. Web site: 'Vinyl' Renewed For Season 2 By HBO. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. February 18, 2016. February 22, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021526/https://deadline.com/2016/02/vinyl-renewed-for-season-2-by-hbo-1201705325/. live.
9. Web site: 'Vinyl' Canceled: No Season 2 For HBO Drama Series. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. June 22, 2016. June 22, 2016. November 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171118045538/http://deadline.com/2016/06/vinyl-canceled-hbo-season-2-martin-scorsese-and-mick-jagger-1201777356/. live.
10. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . HBO President On 'Vinyl's Demise, On-Screen Violence – TCA . Deadline Hollywood . July 30, 2016 . August 20, 2016 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021515/https://deadline.com/2016/07/hbo-vinyl-demise-violence-game-of-thrones-1201795652/ . live .
11. Web site: Martin Scorsese: HBO's 'Vinyl' Failed Because He Didn't Direct Every EpisodeHollywood Reporter . . October 25, 2018 . January 1, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021451/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/martin-scorsese-says-hbos-vinyl-failed-because-he-didnt-direct-episode-1154946 . live .
12. Web site: Martin Scorsese Admits HBO Canceling 'Vinyl' Was Tragic, Says Series Might Have Worked If He Directed All EpisodesIndieWire . October 26, 2018 . January 1, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021516/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/10/martin-scorsese-vinyl-hbo-canceled-tragic-loss-1202015708/ . live .
13. News: HBO's Martin Scorsese/Mick Jagger Rock 'N' Roll Drama Adds Cast. July 31, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. June 26, 2014. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021456/https://deadline.com/2014/06/hbos-martin-scorsesemick-jagger-rock-n-roll-drama-adds-cast-796659/. live.
14. Web site: HBO - Vinyl - Series Information. HBO. July 31, 2015. August 10, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150810020912/http://www.hbo.com/vinyl/about/index.html. live.
15. Web site: TV Review: Martin Scorsese's Vinyl . Vulture . August 20, 2016 . July 2, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160702044433/http://www.vulture.com/2016/02/tv-review-martin-scorseses-vinyl.html . live .
16. Web site: Vinyl: HBO Releases New Details and Photos - canceled TV shows . January 8, 2016 . TV Series Finale . August 20, 2016 . March 31, 2016 . https://archive.today/20160331201005/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/vinyl-hbo-releases-new-details-and-photos/ . live .
17. Web site: HBO's 'Vinyl' Unveils Soundtrack, Weekly Release ScheduleHollywood Reporter . . January 15, 2016 . February 21, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021458/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hbos-vinyl-unveils-soundtrack-weekly-856159 . live .
18. Web site: Korbelik. Jeff. Jeff Korbelik: Cannavale packs a punch in HBO's 'Vinyl'. Lincoln Journal Star. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021442/https://journalstar.com/entertainment/tv-radio/jeff-korbelik-cannavale-packs-a-punch-in-hbo-s-vinyl/article_d0384116-ece5-5451-b20a-cb4cefc8312b.html. live.
19. News: Rabinowitz. Dorothy. 'Vinyl' Review: An Insiders' Spin on '70s Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll. The Wall Street Journal. February 11, 2016. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021500/https://www.wsj.com/articles/vinyl-review-an-insiders-spin-on-70s-sex-drugs-and-rock-n-roll-1455228140. live.
20. News: Hale. Mike. Review: 'Vinyl' Resurrects the '70s Music Industry, Amid Proto-Punk Squalor. The New York Times. February 11, 2016 . March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021500/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/12/arts/television/review-vinyl-resurrects-the-70s-music-industry-amid-proto-punk-squalor.html?_r=0. live.
21. Web site: Tucker. Ken. 'Vinyl' Review: You Can't Always Get What You Want. Yahoo!. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021449/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/vinyl-hbo-review-scorsese-180341608.html. live.
22. Web site: Owen. Rob. Tuned in: HBO spins dark, dull 'Vinyl'; 'Better Call Saul' gets better. Pittsburgh Post Gazette. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021455/https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2016/02/12/Tuned-in-HBO-spins-dark-dull-Vinyl-Better-Call-Saul-is-back/stories/201602120092. live.
23. Web site: Vinyl Season 1 Reviews. Rotten Tomatoes. June 27, 2019. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021517/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/vinyl/s01. live.
24. Web site: Vinyl Season 1 Reviews. Metacritic. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021532/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/vinyl. live.
25. Web site: Sepinwall. Alan. Can 'Vinyl' be fixed after such a disappointing first season?. HitFix. August 29, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021620/https://uproxx.com/entertainment/. live.
26. News: Edwards. Gavin. 'Vinyl' Season 1 Finale: As Confused as Ever. The New York Times. April 18, 2016. August 29, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021533/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/arts/television/vinyl-season-1-finale-recap.html?_r=0. live.
27. Web site: Sepinwall. Alan. Review: HBO's 'Vinyl' a classic rock drama that wishes it was punk. HitFix. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021458/https://uproxx.com/entertainment/. live.
28. Web site: Bianco. Robert. Review: Tune in as 'Vinyl,' and a stellar Cannavale, rock '70s music. USA Today. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021452/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/columnist/2016/02/11/review-vinyl-hbo-bobby-cannavale-martin-scorsese-mick-jagger/80183304/. live.
29. Nussbaum. Emily. Waiting on the Man. The New Yorker. February 15, 2016. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021459/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/02/22/vinyl-and-billions-reviews. live.
30. Web site: Gay. Verne. 'Vinyl' review: HBO's disappointing LI, NYC-filmed '70s rock 'n' roll drama. Newsday. March 8, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021524/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/vinyl-review-hbo-s-disappointing-li-nyc-filmed-70s-rock-n-roll-drama-1.11460029. live.
31. Web site: Television Academy . February 21, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021518/https://www.emmys.com/shows/vinyl . live .
32. Web site: HBO's Vinyl - Main Title- Emmy® Nominated for Outstanding Main Title Design on Vimeo . February 22, 2016 . February 21, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021500/https://vimeo.com/156321165 . live .
33. Web site: Vinyl Renewed for Season 2 by HBO . Nicole . Carpenter . . February 18, 2016 . February 18, 2016 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021526/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/22/hbo-cancels-vinyl-despite-season-2-renewal . live .
34. Web site: HBO Abandons Plans for 'Vinyl' Season 2 . Lesley . Goldberg . . June 22, 2016 . June 22, 2016 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021458/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/vinyl-canceled-at-hbo-905537 . live .
35. This February on HBO Canada: the Epic New HBO Drama VINYL; new Animated Series from the Duplass Brothers, ANIMALS; New Seasons of GIRLS, LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, VICE, and TOGETHERNESS; and New HBO Documentaries . HBO Canada . February 1, 2016 . February 11, 2016 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021543/https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/february-hbo-canada-epic-new-hbo-drama-vinyl-new-animated-series-duplass-brothers-animals-new-seasons-girls-last-week-tonight-john-oliver-vice-togetherness/ . live .
36. Sky Atlantic to simulcast USA premiere of 1970s New York drama Vinyl . BSkyB . November 2, 2015 . February 19, 2016 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021506/https://www.skygroup.sky/newsroom . live .
37. Web site: Vinyl - Showcase. Foxtel. February 10, 2016. February 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216162119/http://www.showcasechannel.com.au/shows/vinyl/. live.
38. Web site: Vinyl S1 01: Pilot. HBOAsia.com. February 16, 2016. February 22, 2016. November 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021538/https://hboasia.com/HBO/en-sg/outofservice#show_content_start. live.
39. Web site: Vinyl. Sky TV. July 1, 2016. June 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160601164818/https://www.sky.co.nz/-/ep_soho_vinyl_february-2016. dead.
40. Web site: Amazon.com . Amazon . February 21, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115021511/https://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Complete-First-Season-Digital/dp/B01BQPZU5C . live .