or


[07/09/13 - 11:55 AM]
HBO to Present Documentary on Historic Gay Marriage Case; Five Years in the Making, Film Features Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Footage
"The story of the battle to overturn Prop 8 is the story of a modern-day American revolution," noted Michael Lombardo.

[via press release from HBO]

HBO TO PRESENT DOCUMENTARY ON HISTORIC GAY MARRIAGE CASE; FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING, FILM FEATURES EXCLUSIVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE

LOS ANGELES, July 9, 2013 - HBO Documentary Films is currently in production on a film telling the story of the historic Supreme Court case that overturned Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Over the last five years, directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White have had exclusive access to the work of the powerhouse legal team led by Ted Olson and David Boies, as well as the lives of the four plaintiffs in the case. The untitled feature will be completed by the end of this year for debut on the network in 2014.

"The story of the battle to overturn Prop 8 is the story of a modern-day American revolution," noted Lombardo. "HBO is proud to present what is intended to be the film of record on this landmark case."

The first Supreme Court case challenging a ban on same-sex marriage was argued by the unlikely pairing of conservative Ted Olson and liberal David Boies, who previously squared off as opposing counsel in Bush v. Gore. The lawsuit was sponsored by the American Foundation for Equal Rights on behalf of two couples, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Jeffrey Zarrillo and Paul Katami. This documentary tells the story of the people behind the case and their journey to secure marriage equality in California, paving the way for marriage equality for all Americans.

Ted Olson states, "I've always said that the best evidence in this case is to hear our clients tell their stories. Paul, Jeff, Kris and Sandy have been brave enough to share their lives with the courts and now with the world. As Ben and Ryan tell this incredible story - that for me was the most important case I've ever worked on - people will inevitably be moved by getting to know these amazing individuals."

David Boies says, "The evidence at trial, including from the defendants' own witnesses on cross-examination, proved that discriminating against LGBT couples seriously harmed them and their children, without any benefit to anyone. The opponents of marriage equality have successfully blocked the release of the videotapes of that testimony. But they cannot block this documentary. Everyone who sees this film will understand the pain our fellow citizens feel when they are deprived of the right to marry the person they love - and why that pain is so unnecessary."

"We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to reach so many people through such a distinguished platform as HBO, which is the perfect partner to present the hard work of the many people involved in this case to the rest of the country," comments director Ben Cotner.

"Watching this case unfold has been a master class in the judicial system and in the ongoing movement towards realizing equality in this country," adds director Ryan White. "We are excited to share that experience with the world."

Ben Cotner is currently senior vice president of acquisitions at Open Road Films. Ryan White's films include "Pelada" and "Good Ol' Freda," which will be released in September. The deal was negotiated with HBO on behalf of the filmmakers by Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment and Victoria Cook of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.





  [july 2013]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[09/16/25 - 04:46 PM]
Apple's Global Hit Drama "The Morning Show" Renewed for Season Five
Said renewal comes ahead of the season four premiere due tomorrow, Wednesday, September 17.

[09/16/25 - 03:39 PM]
"College GameDay Built by The Home Depot" and College Football on ESPN/ABC Both Off to Stellar Starts in 2025
ABC is off to its best three-week start ever, averaging 7.8 million viewers per game.

[09/16/25 - 03:02 PM]
"20/20" Is the No. 1 Program Across Broadcast and Cable on Friday Night
"20/20" ranked as the No. 1 broadcast program on Friday night in Total Viewers (2.457 million).

[09/16/25 - 03:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49, Leading CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" in All Three Measures
For the 2nd week in a row, "Nightline" improved on the previous week in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.

[09/16/25 - 02:45 PM]
FOX NFL Smashes All-Time Viewership Records with Week 2 Super Bowl Rematch
A massive 33.8 million viewers delivers FOX Sports its best-ever regular season Sunday telecast, most-watched Week 2 NFL telecast on record and more all-time viewership highs!

[09/16/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of September 8: "Canelo vs. Crawford" Packs a Punch, "Wednesday" Season 2 Joins Most Popular List
In movies, "KPop Demon Hunters" danced its way back to No. 1 on the English Film list with 22.6 million views.

[09/16/25 - 11:01 AM]
NFL Christmas Gameday Is Back with a New Line-Up of On-Air Booth Talent in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis, Minnesota
Netflix's NFL Christmas Gameday 2024 reached 65 million U.S. viewers, according to Nielsen.

[09/16/25 - 11:00 AM]
Prime Video Announces October 23 Premiere Date for "Allen Iv3rson"
The three-part docuseries is about the captivating life of basketball legend and global sensation Allen Iverson, whose authentic voice and unapologetic expression of style paved the way for future generations and revolutionized the culture of the NBA.

[09/16/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Prime Minister" Debuts September 30
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary.

[09/16/25 - 09:56 AM]
Daytime Emmy-Nominated "The Jennifer Hudson Show" Comes to Streaming Audiences for Free on Tubi
Starting today, fans can stream each episode of season four of "The Jennifer Hudson Show" for free on Tubi the day after it airs on linear television.

[09/16/25 - 09:30 AM]
"On the Bench" -- NBC Sports Introduces Dedicated Team Analysts Seated Courtside for Peacock NBA Monday Throughout 2025-26 NBA Season
Rather than sitting next to the play-by-play voice, the analysts will be positioned near the assistant coaches of their assigned team during the action, listening in on huddles and timeouts, and delivering information straight from the bench.

[09/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
"Superman" Soars Onto HBO Max Exclusively on September 19
HBO Max will feature an in-app "Superman" takeover offering viewers a transformed homepage and unique user experience.

[09/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In the shadowy world of espionage, Sam Fisher is a rumor and a legend. Pulled back into action, he must help a new recruit unravel a global conspiracy.

[09/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
Bravo Embarks on the Ultimate Fish-Out-of-Water Social Experiment When "Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition" Premieres Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
"The Real Housewives" featured are Angie Katsanevas (Salt Lake City), Emily Simpson (Orange County), Melissa Gorga (New Jersey) and Dr. Wendy Osefo (Potomac).

[09/16/25 - 08:45 AM]
ESPN and the NWSL Announce Supplemental Media Rights Agreement
Under the agreement, ABC and ESPN networks will carry 16 more regular-season games each year, increasing the total number of NWSL matches available on The Walt Disney Company networks from 17 to 33 per season.