Bravo Profiles: The Entertainment Business (1998)

Filmed in N.Y., L.A., London, and Chicago, this six-hour, BBC-produced documentary examines the current state of show business. Interview subjects include Leonardo DiCaprio, Drew Barrymore, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Winona Ryder, John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Catherine Deneuve, Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway, Will Smith, Claire Danes, George Clooney, Nora Ephron, Richard Dreyfuss, and Matt Dillon. The series kicks off with "Celebrity," detailing fame as seen by stars, journalists, talent agents, paparazzi, and directors (Renny Harlin, Alan Parker). The second episode, "Late Night Talk," looks at David Letterman and Jay Leno, showing writers' sessions and rehearsals, with comments by talk-show guests (Robin Williams, Kate Capshaw, Sigourney Weaver, Wesley Snipes, David Duchovny), plus a journey with Janeane Garofalo from limo to dressing room as she prepares for a Conan O'Brien guest appearance. The third segment, "Daytime Talk," goes backstage with Jerry Springer and Ricki Lake. The fourth hour, "Premieres & Junkets," looks at techniques for promotion and publicity as viewed by Meg Ryan, Jim Carrey, Bette Midler, Keanu Reeves, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Tilly, Denis Leary, Dustin Hoffman, Courteney Cox, Andie MacDowell, Cameron Diaz, and Kurt Russell. "Oscar Day/Oscar Night" features Kevin Spacey, James Woods, Geena Davis, Quentin Tarantino, and Goldie Hawn. The concluding hour, "One Night Stand-Up," covers comedians Jackie Mason, Robin Williams, and Greg Proops. This series first aired in Europe and premiered in the United States October 4, 1998 on Bravo. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi