Last year, Variety revealed that Netflix gave a green light to its “famous last word.” This features a final major interview from the cultural icon. Now, Netflix has posted the first of these interviews. Chimpanzee expert and protectionist Dr. Jane Goodall.
Goodall passed away Wednesday in Los Angeles at 91. On Friday morning, Netflix released the first episode of “The Famous Last Word.”
According to Netflix, “This episode offers viewers an unusual opportunity to experience deep personal reflection on her life’s work as a motherly coupled humanity than ever before.
“The Famous Last Word” is tapered in a closed door recording session. Also, maintaining the privacy of your recordings, chats are taken by remotely operated cameras. At the end of the interview, subjects (including Goodall) are asked to look at the camera and give the world the last message, the last word. The footage is then kept secret until subjects pass.
Brad Falchuk is producing the show via Teley-Vision Banner, which has a multi-year deal with Netflix. Banijay Entertainment’s BSNA is also behind the show, along with John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which houses the show’s archives.
“Jane Goodall was fearless at everything. She loved mankind and nature deeply. It was clear in our conversation that she was approaching her final adventure with the same fearlessness, hope, humor and joy that she had approached everything else in her life.
In addition to Falchuk, Mikel Bondesen executives will be produced alongside David Goldberg and showrunner David Friedman.
“The Famous Last Word” is based on the Danish television format “Det Sidste Ord.” It has been praised for the delicate touch that comes with giving the most well-known living things (musicians, athletes, comedians, actors, business leaders, politicians, etc.) the opportunity to reflect on their own lives. In Denmark, “Det Sidste Ord” (The Last Word) was created by Mikael Bertelsen.
