Dr. Dre TV Show Dropped by Apple Due to Violence, Sex: Report
Apple has reportedly rejected “Vital Signs,” an in-the-works TV show starring and executive-produced by Dr. Dre that was being made for its streaming service, after CEO Tim Cook deemed its content too graphic and violent, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The semi-autobiographical, six-episode show had been touted as Apple’s debut scripted series, with a cast including Sam Rockwell, Michael K. Williams, and Ian McShane. According to The Wall Street Journal, Cook objected to scenes involving drugs, sex, and guns. The show may end up being broadcast elsewhere.
In a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Rockwell said that the show featured him, Williams, and McShane playing different aspects of Dr. Dre's personality. “I play Ego, and Ian McShane is Vengeance, and Michael K. Williams is Negativity. There’s also a character called Prodigy,” he said. Rockwell also told EW that “We had a couple of orgy scenes. That was interesting.”
The Wall Street Journal reports, “Apple has made clear, say producers and agents, that it wants high-quality shows with stars and broad appeal, but it doesn’t want gratuitous sex, profanity or violence.” For an M. Night Shyamalan series, which was ultimately approved, Apple reportedly requested that crucifixes in the lead characters’ house be removed. Apple has also replaced several other series’ showrunners after purchasing the rights, according to the report.
Pitchfork has contacted representatives for Apple and Dr. Dre for comment.
