No. 85 George & Tammy (TV) (2022) 91/100

 

Another TV miniseries now and probably one that I was putting off. I’m not a big fan of country music so this six-episode bio-pic of George Jones and Tammy Wynette didn’t really appeal. It was however really enjoyable and, although some of the music could have been trimmed a bit, the two leads were excellent.

 

I was familiar with Tammy, but hadn’t previously heard of George. It seems that he was quite the big deal though, and even today he has twice the Spotify plays as Tammy, despite them both now being dead.

 

The programme starts in 1968 but the timeline does jump about a bit. Tammy is an aspiring singer whilst George, played by our Mr Shannon is the big star. Tammy has a herd of kids and a husband, but George takes a shine to her and whisks her away after an eventful dinner at her house. ‘Which kids are yours?’ he asks as they run off with George having overturned the table – well he won’t be asked back.

 

There is a ‘Star is Born’ vibe going on as Tammy gets more successful as George’s star is on the wane. George likes the booze and manages to mess up his and Tammy’s life on a regular basis, at one stage ending up in a straitjacket. He is resourceful though, using his lawnmower to get to the pub.

 

Tammy has her own issues too, with a penchant for painkillers that she got addicted to after suffering childbirth related trauma. All the while though they churn out the hits, many of which are played in full.

 

After ruining Christmas, the two break up and Tammy winds up with her weasely manager Richey. George is at a low ebb at this point and nearly kills his old pal Walton Goggins while pissed.

 

Time passes and fashions change but the two stay in touch and go on tour. George gets sober but Tammy stays addicted and, despite a hit with the KLF, things aren’t looking too good. The series ends with the aged couple married to others but still on tour and heading into the sunset together.

 

This was a great production with Jessica Chastain knocking it out the park as Tammy. Her singing voice was excellent and your really believed her as the doomed, drug addled singer. Shannon was great too as the dipsomaniac crooner. His singing wasn’t as assured as Chastain’s, but he had a real stage presence and sported some awful 70’s fashions well.

 

There were a lot of familiar faces in the cast with Steve Zahn doing well as the creepy Richie and Tim Blake Nelson having a cameo too.

 

The sets and costumes were great, and the music was well done. I’m not rushing to add the soundtrack to my playlist, but it was pleasant enough.

 

The series did jump ahead a lot with the period between 1978 to the 1990s barely mentioned. It was fun to see the iconic KLF ’ Mu-Mu land’ set recreated however, albeit on a small scale.

 

I feel that I learned a lot about the two stars with this affectionate biopic, and I hadn’t realised that Tammy died at only 55 years old. George made it to 82 so clearly booze is a better option than drugs.

 

The series did well to make what may be a niche subject interesting and compelling and this is one that’s definitely worth your time.

 

When is Shannon-On? - 01.15

 

Outcome? Dead as told in a caption

 

TV Series 4/5

 

Shannon Stars 4/5