Before is a new Apple TV+ show. What’s it about?
It’s funny*. Only recently the thought popped into my head, “I wonder what Billy Crystal is up to these days?
* If you’re an old school Howard Stern Show fan as I am, the word “funny” (and don’t forget “fun”!) and Billy Crystal will immediately bring up a very specific sound bite that had quite a run on Fred Norris’ soundboard.
Crystal was a presence throughout my childhood, ranging from Saturday Night Live* to City Slickers to When Harry Met Sally. I always enjoyed his work, and sometimes would wonder if he’d get to do more dramatic work.
* To this day, I still reference Crystal’s Jewish weatherman bit (“don’t be a hero, take a jacket!”) and others, still find it hilarious.
Well, Before gets to be a Billy Crystal dramatic acting showcase for sure, and it looks like an intriguing and prestige-y psychological thriller as well.
“You know what you did,” this little boy tells Crystal’s character, while another woman says mysterious, “What have you done?”
While Alan Sepinwall at Rolling Stone pans the series, calling it “exactly the kind of self-serious project Billy Crystal used to mock” – think The Sixth Sense meets Papyrus if you will – the prestige-y vibes, chilly tone, and Billy Crystal’s legitimate dramatic acting chops will have me checking out Before for sure.
Or fo’ sho, as Jonah Hill in Superbad might say.
From Apple’s official press release:
Today, Apple TV+ shared a first look at “Before,” an atmospheric, character-driven psychological thriller starring multi-award-winning actor, comedian and filmmaker Billy Crystal. The 10-episode series is executive produced by Crystal, Academy Award winner Eric Roth and creator Sarah Thorp, and will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 25, with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through December 20. Alongside Crystal, the supernatural mystery series stars multi-Emmy and Tony Award winner Judith Light (“Transparent”), Jacobi Jupe (“Peter Pan & Wendy”), Academy Award nominee Rosie Perez (“The Flight Attendant”), Tony Award nominee Maria Dizzia (“Orange Is the New Black”) and Ava Lalezarzadeh (“In the Garden of Tulips”). “Before” stars Crystal as Eli, a child psychiatrist who, after recently losing his wife, Lynn (Light), encounters a troubled young boy, Noah (Jupe), who seems to have a haunting connection to Eli’s past. As Eli attempts to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens.
Before: when and where can I watch it?
Before premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 25, 2024. The first season contains ten episodes.