On Becoming a God in Central Florida

On Becoming a God in Central Florida is an American dark comedy television series created by Robert Funke and Matt Lutsky that premiered on Showtime on August 25, 2019. The series stars Kirsten Dunst and is set in the early 1990s.

On Becoming a God
in Central Florida
Genre
Created by
  • Robert Funke
  • Matt Lutsky
Starring
Composers
  • Danny Bensi
  • Saunder Jurriaans
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
CinematographyTobias Datum
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time42–48 minutes
Production companies
DistributorSony Pictures Television
Release
Original networkShowtime
Original releaseAugust 25 (2019-08-25) –
October 20, 2019 (2019-10-20)
External links
Website

In September 2019, the series was renewed for a second season.[4] However, in October 2020, the renewal decision was reversed and the series was canceled after one season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

Plot

Krystal Stubbs is a minimum-wage-earning water park employee in Greater Orlando who schemes her way up the ranks of Founders American Merchandise, a cultish, flag-waving, multi-billion dollar multi-level marketing/pyramid scheme that drove her family to ruin.[6]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [7]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"The Stinker Thinker"Charlie McDowellRobert Funke & Matt LutskyAugust 16, 2019 (2019-08-16) (online)
August 25, 2019 (2019-08-25) (Showtime)		0.173[8]

Krystal Stubbs is a new mother whose husband, Travis, sells insurance but is primarily focused on leaving his job and selling Founders American Merchandise (FAM) full time.

Under pressure from Travis's up-line, Krystal tries to pressure the bosses of the waterpark where she works to only stock FAM. When that fails she finally puts her foot down with Travis and insists that she will only support his ambitions if he fully commits to his insurance job. Travis nevertheless quits and dies shortly after in a freak accident involving an alligator. Travis' funeral is attended by the founder, who urges a skeptical Krystal to keep her husband's downline but refuses to provide her with any financial compensation.
2"The Gloomy-Zoomies"Jeremy PodeswaRobert FunkeAugust 16, 2019 (2019-08-16) (online)
August 25, 2019 (2019-08-25) (Showtime)		0.138[8]
Krystal struggles with the reality of being a single mother and realizes that her situation is even worse than she thought as Travis had remortgaged the house and left them deeply in debt. Travis's up-line, Cody Bonar, struggles with how to keep Krystal and her downline part of his team as commission from Travis was a substantial part of his downline. After burning through some of her goodwill, Krystal accepts an offer from Cody for a one time advance in order to stay with FAM and recruit others.
3"A Positive Spin!"Rose TrocheMatt LutskySeptember 1, 2019 (2019-09-01)0.216[9]
Krystal loses her home and is forced to stay at work while trying to scrape by. Delivering product to her downline she meets Mimi and discovers one more devastating secret Travis was hiding from her. Fed up Krystal smooth talks Cody into letting her speak to his downline under the guise of talking him up while secretly planning to tell the captive audience how selling FAM ruined her life.
4"Manifest Destinee"Rodman FlenderPamela DavisSeptember 8, 2019 (2019-09-08)0.235[10]
5"Many Masters"Daniel ScheinertMike GoldbachSeptember 15, 2019 (2019-09-15)0.216[11]
6"American Merchandise"Julie Anne RobinsonCarlos RiosSeptember 22, 2019 (2019-09-22)0.185[12]
7"Flint Glass"Matt SpicerEsta SpaldingSeptember 29, 2019 (2019-09-29)0.214[13]
8"Birthday Party"So Yong KimRobert Funke & Matt LutskyOctober 6, 2019 (2019-10-06)0.161[14]
9"Wham Bam Thank You FAM"Tricia BrockStory by : Pamela Davis
Teleplay by : Jessica Blaire and Stephanie Riggs		October 13, 2019 (2019-10-13)0.132[15]
10"Go Getters Gonna Go Getcha"Charlie McDowellRobert Funke & Matt Lutsky & Esta SpaldingOctober 20, 2019 (2019-10-20)0.179[16]

Production

Development

On January 6, 2017, it was reported that AMC was developing the production. The series was created by Robert Funke and Matt Lutsky who also wrote the pilot episode and were set to executive produce for the series alongside Kirsten Dunst, Yorgos Lanthimos, George Clooney, and Grant Heslov. Lanthimos was also set to direct. Production companies involved with the series were expected to include Smokehouse Pictures, TriStar Television, and AMC Studios.[17][18]

On June 25, 2018, it was announced that the production had moved to YouTube Premium, which had given it a series order for a first season consisting of 10 episodes. It was further reported that Esta Spalding and Charlie McDowell had joined the series as executive producers. Spaulding is also set to serve as showrunner and McDowell is set to direct, replacing Lanthimos as executive producer and director.[6][19][20]

On June 17, 2019, it was announced that Showtime, which had acquired the series from TriStar, would air the series instead of YouTube and that it would premiere on August 25, 2019.[21]

On September 26, 2019, Showtime renewed the series for a second season.[4] However, on October 7, 2020, Showtime reversed the renewal and canceled the series, stating that "the [COVID-19 pandemic] has continued to challenge schedules across the board, and although we have made every effort to reunite the cast and crew for a second season, that has become untenable."[5]

Casting

Alongside the initial development announcement, it was confirmed that Kirsten Dunst would star in the series.[17] On August 28, 2018, it was announced that Théodore Pellerin had been cast in a lead role.[22] On September 14, 2018, it was reported that Ted Levine, Mel Rodriguez, and Beth Ditto had joined the cast in series regular roles and that Usman Ally would appear on a recurring basis.[23] On October 5, 2018, it was announced that Julie Benz had joined the cast in a recurring capacity.[24] On November 28, 2018, it was reported that Melissa De Sousa would appear in a recurring role.[25]

Filming

Principal photography for the series commenced in October 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.[22] On October 8, 2018, filming took place in Westwego, Louisiana.[26]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 84% based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 7.47/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though it loses a bit of narrative steam, On Becoming a God in Central Florida proves a clever and absurd satire that will make you want to buy whatever Kirsten Dunst is selling."[27] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 76 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28]

Accolades
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2020 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series Kirsten Dunst Nominated [29]
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated [30]
Writers Guild of America Awards Episodic Comedy Robert F. Funke and Matt Lutsky (for "The Stinker Thinker") Nominated [31]

References
  1. Pedersen, Erik (July 15, 2019). "'On Becoming A God In Central Florida' Trailer: Showtime's Dark Comedy About The Cult Of Free Enterprise Starring Kirsten Dunst". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  2. Viruet, Pilot (August 21, 2019). "Kirsten Dunst Is a Single Mom Fighting the Odds in 'On Becoming a God in Central Florida'". Observer. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  3. Lloyd, Robert (August 23, 2019). "'Florida Man' is so over. On TV, Florida women are having their day". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  4. Otterson, Joe (September 26, 2019). "'On Becoming a God in Central Florida' Renewed for Season 2 at Showtime". Variety. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (October 7, 2020). "'On Becoming A God In Central Florida' Canceled By Showtime, Won't Proceed With Season 2 Due To COVID". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  6. Andreeva, Nellie (June 25, 2018). "YouTube Orders Kirsten Dunst-Starring Dark Comedy Series From George Clooney, Grant Heslov & TriStar Television". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  7. "On Becoming a God in Central Florida – Listings". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  8. Metcalf, Mitch (August 27, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.25.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  9. Metcalf, Mitch (September 4, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.1.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  10. Metcalf, Mitch (September 10, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.8.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  11. Metcalf, Mitch (September 17, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.15.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  12. Metcalf, Mitch (September 24, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.22.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  13. Metcalf, Mitch (October 1, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.29.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  14. Metcalf, Mitch (October 8, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.6.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  15. Metcalf, Mitch (October 15, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.13.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  16. Metcalf, Mitch (October 22, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.20.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  17. Andreeva, Nellie (January 6, 2017). "Kirsten Dunst To Topline Dark Comedy Series From George Clooney, Grant Heslov & 'The Lobster' Helmer in Works at AMC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  18. Stanhope, Kate (January 6, 2018). "Kirsten Dunst and George Clooney Team for Dark Comedy at AMC". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  19. Nemetz, Dave (June 25, 2018). "Kirsten Dunst '90s-Set Comedy Lands at YouTube With 10-Episode Order". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  20. Otterson, Joe (June 25, 2018). "Kirsten Dunst-Led Dark Comedy From Producer George Clooney Scores Series Order at YouTube Premium". Variety. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  21. Andreeva, Nellie (June 17, 2019). "Showtime Picks Up 'On Becoming A God in Central Florida' Series Starring Kirsten Dunst in Turnaround From YouTube". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  22. Otterson, Joe (August 28, 2018). "Theodore Pellerin Joins Kirsten Dunst YouTube Premium Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  23. Andreeva, Nellie (September 14, 2018). "Ted Levine, Mel Rodriguez, Beth Ditto & Usman Ally Cast in YouTube Series 'On Becoming A God in Central Florida'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  24. Petski, Denise (October 5, 2018). "'On Becoming A God in Central Florida': Julie Benz To Recur in YouTube's Dark Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  25. Petski, Denise (November 28, 2018). "'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists' Casts Garrett Wareing; Melissa de Sousa Joins 'On Becoming A God In Central Florida'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  26. Steves, Ashley (September 26, 2018). "Now Casting: 'On Becoming a God in Central Florida' With Kirsten Dunst Has a Role for an Animal Control Worker + 3 More Gigs". Backstage. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  27. "On Becoming a God in Central Florida: Season 1 (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  28. "On Becoming a God in Central Florida: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  29. Schwartz, Ryan; Caruso, Nick (December 8, 2019). "Critics' Choice Awards 2020: Fleabag, Watchmen, When They See Us, Unbelievable Among TV Nominees". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  30. Nordyke, Kimberly; Konerman, Jennifer; Howard, Annie (December 9, 2019). "Golden Globes: Full List of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  31. Nordyke, Kimberly (December 5, 2019). "Writers Guild Awards Unveils TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
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