clashes, high school rivalries that turned into true crime bloodbaths … the channel had it all.
And even though many of its early shows were predictably critically panned, viewers adored them.
In truth, however, Lifetime was far from militantly pious.
The cheesy thriller was an instant success with viewers, critical reception notwithstanding.
Fun fact: The former beloved badsterpiecewas remade in 2016, but with a “vampire twist.”
And contrary to popular belief, the programs weren’t by any meansallabout melodrama.
Protests from various women’s groups ensued, and the channel stayed put.
By the latter ‘part of the decade, the channel had becometheplace for the most sensational of movies. "
Make them feel more contemporary.
Make them build a new audience."
Other star directors to work on movies for Lifetime have includedMary HarronandAgnieszka Holland.
That’s a pretty impressive and intellectually impressive lineup for a channel that started out with tabloid-like works.
In fact, Lifetime has lured some stars who don’t needanyhelp getting noticed.
In 2015, hilariously funny Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell starred in the totally unfunny Lifetime filmA Deadly Adoption.
However, Wiig toldVulturethat it “wasn’t a parody.”
Lifetime has also served as a plan B for A-list actors.
In 2015,Academy Award-winningactress Nicole Kidman starred in the biopicGrace of Monaco.
As previously highlighted,Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomyreceivedan Emmy nomin 2007.
That same year, iconic actress Gena Rowlands wasnominatedforWhat if God Were the Sun.
In 2009, Shirley MacLaine wasnominatedfor the biopicCoco Chanel.
Cicely Tyson, the film’s lead actress, also received a personal nomination for her brilliant performance.
This listgoes on and on.
By 2017, the channel accrued a whopping23Emmy nominations.
According to the publication, an incredible 6.5 million people tuned into the channel to watch the movie.
The movie, not un-coincidentally, aired on the 15th anniversary of Smart’s abduction.
Lifetime’s cast and crew were almost equally moved by participating in the experience, as were many critics.
AsVarietyput it, “I Am Elizabeth Smartis … a remarkable Lifetime movie.
Much like Smart herself, it is restrained, unpretentious, and direct.
“That year, the channel introduced a whopping 23 films.
Of the 23 films, only nine had been acquired and the other 14 were produced by the connection.
AsPeoplereported in July 2019, the data pipe revealed a 28-film lineup ahead of the holiday season.
“The medical drama, we had that 20 years ago.
The female cop drama, we had that back when no one was programming cable dramas.”
Despite being a trailblazer, the online grid hasn’t always received the credit it deserves.
It’s battled “an incredible unfair bias,” Sharenow added.
But it was his goal to change that.
It’s much more entertaining.”
