As a seasoned entertainment journalist, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the birth and growth of numerous television shows. However, none have captivated me quite like Mr. Throwback. The show’s unique blend of glitz, glamour, and mockumentary style is as enticing as a freshly baked croissant on a crisp Parisian morning.
Stephen Curry, a shining star for the Golden State Warriors who already boasts four NBA titles, two NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and an Olympic gold medal, is now aiming for new horizons in Hollywood.
At present, Curry is featured in “Mr. Throwback”, a humorous show airing on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock. Furthermore, his company Unanimous Media has several upcoming projects and ideas lined up, aiming to transform the sportsman into a multimedia tycoon, with roles both in front of and behind the camera.
Over a lunch in New York, Stephen Curry, with his gold medal prominently placed beside him, engaged in discussion with Erick Peyton, CEO of Unanimous, about their ambition to transform the company into a significant player in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Curry expressed his interest in securing more acting opportunities, to which Peyton mentioned that the company is preparing a variety of possibilities for Curry, which he can explore whenever he decides to retire from basketball wearing Under Armour shoes.
Has Unanimous Media grown more lately? In what ways have you attempted to broaden the company and increase its scope, particularly in terms of larger, diverse genres such as scripted comedy?
Curry: It’s fascinating to witness the development of what Unanimous has become, from its beginnings to the present. For a long time, most of the content has been focused on me. However, I’m excited about expanding and exploring new opportunities that aren’t tied to me alone. The arrival of Mr. Throwback and my acting debut – an enjoyable experience I hope to repeat – marks the beginning of this shift. Additionally, our publishing division is producing books, and the podcast I did with my father, Heat Check, are just a few examples of how we’re creating avenues for other stories.
It seems as though I’ve been guiding the way in that aspect. The next decade or two could see us handing off tasks to various groups of audiences and platforms, which is our long-term plan for what Unanimous can achieve at its peak. I believe Mr. Throwback stumbled upon a treasure with the timing [launched during the Paris Olympics], and it was an incredibly swift production, a truly remarkable experience. We managed to wrap everything up just before the gold medal match. Here’s hoping there will be much more to follow in that regard.
Are there other acting roles you’re interested in pursuing, considering your current busy schedule with the NBA? Do you think you might take on more such opportunities as time goes by?
Curry: Absolutely, and many appreciate this response as it wasn’t always possible. It wasn’t feasible because I didn’t want to deliver half-hearted work. I didn’t want to be underprepared, unrefined, and lack the proper strategy. I’ve worked on commercial shoots, been on sets, and gained experience, but [Mr. Throwback] was the right tale, it had the ideal cast, all the elements were in place, and I had a moment when I could execute it effectively.
It was an incredibly enjoyable and memorable adventure. If I’m not actively participating or engaging in something new, then I prefer focusing on other ventures while ensuring I perform optimally. I’ve gained a bit of practice at home. My wife, Ayesha Curry, who has been acting for a long time, recently worked on a movie with Lindsay Lohan (in Netflix’s Irish Wish). She encouraged me to embark on this journey. After my playing days are over, I hope there will be more opportunities to explore acting in front of the camera.
From my personal standpoint, transitioning into the world of entertainment after being an athlete has been quite a shift. While I was well-known in the sports realm, the entertainment industry is a whole new ball game – literally and figuratively! It’s fascinating, challenging, and a unique experience that I’m eager to navigate.
Curry: It’s crucial to have the right team around you, not just in terms of who they are, but also their understanding of our business approach and how we present ourselves. Erick Peyton often emphasizes that we must always keep our primary focus on the main objective. This can be challenging given all the projects we’re involved with, such as our foundation, Unanimous, and Curry Brand, each with its own busy periods throughout the year. However, I encourage everyone to share their ideas and influence, help shape the direction, execute the plan, and then I oversee ensuring the platform continues to thrive by scoring the points.
By continuing to play, I’ve been able to develop gradually and establish strong foundations in areas I see myself contributing post-career. Legacy, impact, all these things matter greatly to me. I want to take my chances while I can, just like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and others who have stayed true to themselves and their passions, yet remained active during their playing years. Seeing this gives me the confidence that I too can achieve it.
What other mediums, like film, are you looking to expand into?
Curry: Indeed, all of these, don’t you agree? We’re actually working on a few animation-based projects.
Peyton: We’ve got plenty of documents here, and we’ve dabbled in gaming, specifically Fortnite. Our focus is on creating vehicles that foster inspiration and serve as pathways for diverse narratives – the tales we aim to highlight. Given our relatively young status in the production industry, navigating through strikes and media industry turbulence, we realized we could not only survive but thrive, maintaining a high-quality output of content.
Curry: Our goal is to create content that can span multiple platforms, such as starting with a podcast and expanding it into a book or even television show. We aim to capitalize on opportunities that work across various mediums. Currently, we’re quite successful in the TV sector, making the most of our chances there. However, it’s important to have a strategic plan while also keeping an eye on market trends to determine where our content will best resonate.
Peyton: Unanimous’ ultimate vertical is active programming, so we’re currently looking into a few options. One significant project is in collaboration with the creators of American Ninja Warrior, [A. Smith & Co.], and it’s an extreme version of golf. We hope it will endure for a long time.
Would you do an altcast [like ESPN’s Manningcast or The Shop]?
Peyton: Yes, indeed. The concept I’m referring to isn’t widely known here, but it seems to be quite prevalent in Brazil. Essentially, it allows you to feel as if you’re experiencing the event alongside the fan, even though you’re not physically present. Instead of merely observing spectators watching something, you become one of them. We are planning to create an ‘altcast’, but we’re interested in approaching it differently. Our aim is to make it feel like you’re joining in the celebration when they’re celebrating, similar to how you would react when sharing a significant moment with your best friend over video call.
Did Mr. Throwback’s style inspire you from any specific TV programs or other mockumentary series?
Curry: In discussions with [Daniel and Matthew Libman, as well as David Caspe], the showrunners, I was inspired by their ideas. I could see how the team behind shows like Happy Endings, Parks and Rec, and The Office had created those successful formats, but also how they were planning to adapt that style for our story. As this was my first time working on a project like this, their expertise helped me visualize the direction we were heading in. I could sense the unique flavor of what we were trying to achieve, and it was exciting to see them put their plan into action. From the moment we started drafting the pilot script to creating the sizzle reel, there was an incredible chemistry between us.
Once we secured Adam Pally, Ego Nwodim was also brought on board, given her impressive background with Saturday Night Live and various other projects. As anticipated, she fit in perfectly, earning us positive feedback and audience appreciation. There are numerous directions we can explore for seasons two, three, and beyond while maintaining the mockumentary style. However, it’s crucial to avoid making it overly contrived or clichéd, instead blending it seamlessly into my world – think glitz, glamour, and real-life humor that resonates. I believe we managed to strike a good balance in our execution.
What has the experience been like working with NBC on the show?
Peyton: NBC has truly been exceptional. The show Mr. Throwback was fiercely contested. It might be common knowledge or not, but choosing to team up with the home squad – since our agreement is there – seemed straightforward enough. However, when they unveiled their plans for the Olympics, and you saw the setup, it became clear: They’re going for it!
It seems reasonable that, given their heavy reliance on sports, my program might gain some traction following the Olympics. In simpler terms, since they heavily rely on sports, it could boost my show’s popularity post-Olympics.
Peyton: I’m not sure if you noticed, but Stephen on the podium paid tribute to Adam Pally in a way reminiscent of the movie “Mr. Throwback”. Only Adam picked up on it, and he sent us a message about it on the side. It shows how attentive he is to these kinds of details, and how much he values such references.
How have you found the experience in ensuring that Stephen is being regarded with due respect and attentiveness by the executives and other individuals you interact with?
Peyton: I’m committed to being completely transparent. However, you need to show your worth. It’s crucial for him to interact with our associates because there’s a lot of skepticism in our field. We are a company that is unusually optimistic, perhaps even overly so, as everything stems from him and he embodies the qualities of being kind, sincere, and lively.
In a throwback scenario, it turned out that he had become a father, which necessitated some adjustments in our plans as we needed to inform a studio that was already filming elsewhere in Chicago about potential changes in our shooting schedule, since we were unsure when we would actually be filming. This is where trust and negotiations become crucial. You’ve met him before, so you understand his nature; he has family obligations to attend to first, and we will work out the dates accordingly.
I frequently reassure executives by letting them know that everything will work out when they arrive, as they’ve had past experiences that left a bad taste. A significant part of my role involves ensuring that everyone understands our commitment – if we make a promise, we’ll deliver on it.
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2024-09-13 16:56