Netflix’s Unscripted Chief Reveals Release Strategy

We’ve seen a handful of unscripted series on other networks fire castmembers in recent weeks over accusations of racism. How does the community evolve its casting searches and standards in a genre that historically has relied on controversial characters?

It is a good reminder for all of us in nonfiction of how seriously we need to take the vetting process. When you’re casting someone to be on a TV show, you’re giving that person a microphone and a platform, right? Without a doubt, you don’t want to give a platform to people who have a known history of hate speech or violence or racist comments. These are things that are clearly nonstarters. So it’s a responsibility that we take incredibly seriously, and the best thing that you can do to guard against this [kind of problem] is to be focused and diligent in your vetting process.

What does the vetting process entail at Netflix?

We have a dedicated team of execs who go through and look at anybody we’re considering having on a show. It’s case by case, depending on what the show is. Dating Around is obviously putting people in a different environment than Nailed It, so it’s hard to get into the specifics. But you’re looking at past social media posts, you’re doing a proper background check, and you hope that you can vet thoroughly in advance, and then when things that are troubling or problematic come up, you have the conviction to say, “[That person] is not worth it.”

Netflix’s Unscripted Chief Reveals Release StrategyComplete article here–>

‘The Perfect Murder’

Inspector Ghote/Naseeruddin Shah

Middle class is called so for a reason. They float between flying aspirations and ground reality. They need to prioritize everything in life, and Inspector Ghote is no different. He just has to prioritize even more…from a list of three or more important priorities at work and a zillion at home. He would love to travel abroad but he is prioritising his other ground priority, a colour TV.

‘The Perfect Murder’ (based on HRF Keating’s work) released in 1988 is a perfect film in terms of casting led by the sublime Naseeruddin Shah. He brings such a human touch to his portrayal, that if Police were to showcase a friendly brand at that time, he would’ve been the perfect ambassador. As a man stickler to process and procedure, and burdened under Indian culture and conditions yet determined to do his job, he delivers one of the finest performances surprisingly in a detective/inspector led crime movie role. All the other cast members including the veteran Amjad Khan with his Indian English (only), shine in the Mumbai backdrop film.

With a new series around Inspector Ghote, around the corner, it will be interesting to see how the new avatar would take shape. Will it be a tech savvy reboot like Sherlock or a gritty and grisly Perry Mason? Worth finding it out.