Jon Hamm’s New Show Scene Rewritten 30 Times, Here’s Why

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Be aware that the following discussion contains spoilers for the first episode of “Your Friends and Neighbors,” titled “This Is What Happens.” Proceed with caution if you haven’t watched it yet.

A fresh series titled “Your Friends and Neighbors” has recently premiered as part of the 2025 TV lineup, hailing from Apple TV+. This show, a blend of thriller and comedy, boasts Jon Hamm in the leading role, promising laughter that tickles your funny bone while also inducing moments of unease. Creator and writer Jon Tropper shared insights about the pilot episode with TopMob, shedding light on a scene that underwent extensive revisions – a fact I can certainly understand.

Initially in the show’s introduction, characters Andrew “Coop” Cooper (Jon Hamm) and Olivia “Liv” Cross (Kitty Hawthorne) cross paths at a bar. Rapidly developing a rapport, they engage in playful banter, assessing each other and contemplating the potential consequences of a romantic encounter. The scene left me captivated not just by the abundance of dialogue between the actors but by the clever scriptwriting. In my conversation with Jonathan Tropper, I enquired about any particular scene he repeatedly refined, and it was this very interaction that received his continuous attention.

Absolutely, one of the initial scenes in the story involves the character Coop, played by John, encountering a young woman in a bar. This scene is quite extensive, spanning over five pages, and includes a significant amount of dialogue. In fact, I must have drafted around 30 different versions of this scene before settling on the final one. After filming, I made some minor adjustments to shorten it slightly as I felt it was becoming too lengthy.

It’s no wonder to me that the author of “See” spent multiple revisions on this particular scene, considering how intricate the dialogue between Coop and Liv needed to be. Writing over 30 different versions of a single scene might be standard practice for a screenwriter, but I still find it quite extensive. However, given Jonathan Tropper’s reputation as a meticulous writer, it makes sense that he would invest such time and energy into making the scene perfect. Later on, Tropper provided me with additional insights into the process of creating such an intricate scene.

Indeed, scenes like that require a great deal of contemplation. Although the initial draft seemed effortless, it needed significant polishing, fine-tuning, and adjusting the flow to make it just right. In other words, there were numerous revisions involved in refining that particular piece.

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After immersing myself in the first seven episodes of “Your Friends and Neighbors”, I can’t help but suspect that many scenes might have undergone multiple revisions. The writing is sharp, and Jon Hamm’s performance, along with the rest of the cast, is commendable. This show serves as another testament to Hamm’s comeback in TV, following his stint on “Mad Men”. The narrative revolves around Coop, a recently divorced hedge fund manager who lost his job due to an affair with Liv, a junior employee from his previous workplace. In the wake of his termination, Coop resorts to theft within his wealthy social circle, uncovering the hidden skeletons in their closets.

If you’re an Apple TV+ subscriber, you might find

If you’re intrigued by the show “Your Friends and Neighbors,” why not explore it with a free 7-day trial of Apple TV Plus? For new customers, this streaming service can be enjoyed for free for an entire week before requiring a monthly fee of $9.99. Don’t miss out on popular shows like “Ted Lasso”, “Severance” and “Slow Horses”! Take advantage of the offer now!

Each Friday, you’ll find new installments of “Your Friends and Neighbors” available for viewing. Don’t forget to tune in, and keep an eye out for what’s coming next on Apple TV+!

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2025-04-11 20:37