Amazon has Netflix in sights with 'Transparent'
LOS ANGELES - Online retail giant Amazon celebrated Monday the launch of a new original show it hopes will help catch up with streaming pioneer Netflix.
"Transparent," which had a red-carpet unveiling in Los Angeles, features a transgender character in the central role of a show which has already generated strong critical buzz.
"No one can ever doubt that the TV model has changed for good. Amazon, with its ability to draw in name talent, is impressively building on what Netflix and (rival streaming service) Hulu are doing," commented the Hollywood Reporter.
"This is huge, it's a game changer. There is nothing like this on television," its main star Jeffrey Tambor told AFP on the red carpet. "I couldn't be more proud."
It is not Amazon's first foray into producing its own original content -- political comedy "Alpha House" debuted last year, but has so far failed to win the acclaim of Netflix series like "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black."
"House of Cards" was the first online only show to win major awards nominations -- and a win last year for big-screen director David Fincher, while "Orange is the New Black" won two Emmys this year.
The pilot episode of "Transparent" is already available, while Amazon has taken a leaf out of Netflix's book by releasing the whole season to binge watch on September 26, rather than airing an episode per week.
The half-hour dark comedy stars the lugubrious Tambor -- from Netflix's "Arrested Development" -- as father Mort Pfefferman coming out as transgender Maura to his three adult children (who have their own secrets to divulge too).
The cast of the show, which is definitely for an adult audience, also includes Gaby Hoffman of the hit series "Girls."
AFP
