Share this @internewscast.com

Discovering the link between previous successes like Ben Silverman and Guymon Casady’s The Office and Game of Thrones, and their new project Stick might seem challenging at first. However, upon closer examination, they insist that connections are there.

For these TV producers, the deciding factor for joining the new Owen Wilson Apple TV+ series, which follows a once-prominent pro-golfer (Wilson) who mentors a talented newcomer (Peter Dager), was chiefly their attraction to the narrative and its presentation.

“Throughout my career, I’ve aimed to work on projects that are uplifting and aspirational, like Ugly Betty, Jane the Virgin, or The Office,” shared Silverman, a veteran comedy producer and former NBC executive, in a conversation with DECIDER. “I see a strong connection in that spirit with Stick. It’s a show full of hope and ambition, featuring characters whose paths might not ordinarily cross under different life circumstances.”

Additionally, he credits the streaming service for handing over the reins to series creator Jason Keller, who was inspired by his own father, a professional baseball player whose career was cut short. Silverman said that by trusting the creative minds at work, Apple TV+ has given everyone involved the space to create the best and funniest project possible, and it shows. He also thinks that even for those who have no clue what is left or right in golf, Stick is a hole-in-one.

Owen Wilson and Peter Dager in 'Stick'
Photo: AppleTV+

“I think Apple’s given us the opportunity to do television in a cinematic way. And that’s one of the things that’s very exciting about the show to me. It is very cinematic,” Silverman said, adding that the directors range from the visionaries behind Little Miss Sunshine to Meet the Fockers. “Golf is just a backdrop here in the same way that horse racing was for Seabiscuit or rowing was for Oxford Blues. It’s not like a centerpiece of why you’re watching the show.”

Check out DECIDER’s full interview with the producing duo below.


DECIDER: I want to start by asking you guys, what first drew you to this project? I think so many people are going to come in and not know anything about golf. Me, I had to Google what a “stick” in professional golf means. What really pulled you in initially?

GUYMON CASADY: I would say just with Ben being the golfer of the two of us, I think one of the things that the show does so well is it explores broader themes than just golf. The show was inspired by Jason [Keller], the creator’s father, who was a former baseball player, a pro baseball player whose own career was cut short. And it was a big inspiration for Jason in creating the Pryce Cahill character, and then us deciding to put the show in the world of golf. We all think that golf is such a great metaphor for life, and it allows these characters to go on this incredible journey to realize each of their potential, starting from a place of circumstances where they’re stuck in their own way, and then finding each other and going on this trip together in this sort of dysfunctional family, found family way. I think it allows for the show to have incredible appeal beyond just being a golf enthusiast.

I think between your previous projects, Ben with The Office or Guymon with Game of Thrones, people are gonna look at this and say, “I don’t see the connection on how they all come together.” Is there a through line that you think from your previous project to this one that you really looked for when you were reading the script the first time?

BEN SILVERMAN: One thing in my own career is I tend to try and do things that are happy and aspirational and kind of in those worlds, whether it’s Ugly Betty or Jane the Virgin or The Office. And I really think there’s a lot of connectivity to Stick in that work. It’s optimistic, it’s aspirational, it’s characters that you wouldn’t necessarily find together if it wasn’t for the circumstances of the story. I don’t know if we would have seen Pryce and Santi having dinner at the mall if it wasn’t for this connectivity around this opportunity that Pryce sees in Santi and the journey that they go on together. I think there is connectivity, at least in how I view my work.

Stick
Photo: Apple TV+

And I think Apple’s given us the opportunity to do television in a cinematic way. And that’s one of the things that’s very exciting about the show to me. It is very cinematic. The directors of our first two episodes are the directors of Little Miss Sunshine. We have the directors and the people involved with Meet the Fockers. We have directors and people involved with so much premium kind of A-list movie storytelling, but they’re in this television episodic narrative genre with us. And Owen Wilson’s a movie star doing TV for the first time. So there’s a lot of elements that I think the fans will connect to. And as you know, as somebody who has no love or interest in golf, golf is just a backdrop here in the same way that horse racing was for Seabiscuit or rowing was for Oxford Blues. It’s not like a centerpiece of why you’re watching the show.

CASADY: And it’s a show that families can watch together. It’s multi-generational and unlike Game of Thrones maybe, this is a show that I look forward to being able to watch with my kids and I hope others congregate around and this becomes a show that they can — families can watch together.

SILVERMAN: There are no dragons in Stick.

Owen Wilson, Judy Greer, and Peter Dager in 'Stick'
Photo: Apple TV+

No dragons in Season 1 but what about Season 2?

SILVERMAN: Exactly. Well, many times on the golf course, you could think a dragon was coming at you, but unfortunately, it’s [a ball coming at] your own head.

The first six episodes of Stick are now streaming on Apple TV+. New episodes release Wednesdays.

Apple TV+ comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers and has just one ad-free streaming plan available for $9.99/month.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

When is ‘WWHL’ Coming Back with New Episodes?

I understand if you’re wondering: wasn’t Watch What Happens Live just on…

Release Date and Free Streaming Options for ‘The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys’

The McBee family is back on TV as their docuseries, The McBee…

Chrisley Family Expresses Gratitude for Donald Trump’s Pardon: “God Touched President Trump’s Heart”

Todd Chrisley and his family are embarking on a new journey after…

Lead Juror in Karen Read Case Discusses Acquittal: “She Wasn’t Responsible”

Juror No. 1 in the murder trial of Karen Read has come…

Natalie Portman’s Son Enlists Mom’s Help to Wow YouTube Star

Natalie Portman left a YouTube star speechless thanks to her 13-year-old son.  The…

Why ‘The Gilded Age’ Star Christine Baranski Felt Anxious About Her Scene with Peggy’s Parents: “Agnes Seldom Apologizes”

The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 2, “What the Papers Say,” showcases…

‘Dancing with the Stars’ Welcomes ‘Mormon Wives’ Stars Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck for Season 34

Two Mormon wives are making their way to the ballroom! At the…

‘The Bear’ Recap: Season 4, Episode 6 – A Thrilling Rollercoaster

The episode of The Bear Season 4, Episode 6 begins with Syd…

Dana Carvey Confesses to Portraying Joe Biden as Mentally “Challenged” in His ‘Saturday Night Live’ Skit

Dana Carvey is finally revealing the process he went through over two…

Nicholas Hoult is barely recognizable while walking around New York City

Nicholas Hoult was unrecognisable on Monday as he strolled through New York City…

Jelena Dokic Shops for Her Dream Wedding Dress

Jelena Dokic set tongues wagging on Monday when she visited a Melbourne…

Tammy Hembrow Shares New Family Tradition Post-Separation from Husband

<!– <!– <!– <!– <!– <!– Tammy Hembrow has begun looking to the…