Jane Goodall’s Final Interview Revealed on First Episode of Netflix’s ‘Famous Last Words’
Last year, Variety revealed that Netflix had given a greenlight to “Famous Last Words,” which would feature the final major interview from cultural icons — which then wouldn’t air until the subject died. Now, Netflix has posted the very first of those interviews: Chimpanzee expert and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall.
Goodall died Wednesday in Los Angeles at 91. On Friday morning, Netflix released the first episode of “Famous Last Words,” featuring Goodall in conversation earlier this year.
Per Netflix, “The episode will offer viewers a rare opportunity to experience Goodall’s deeply personal reflections on her life’s work as someone who connected humanity to Mother Nature like never before. Goodall also shared never before heard stories about her life. The conversation is extremely honest and revealing and, knowing this would only air after she was gone, Goodall spoke movingly about her own death.”
“Famous Last Words” is taped in a closed-door recording session. And keeping the privacy of the recording, the chat will be shot by remotely operated cameras. At the end of the interview, subjects (including Goodall) are asked to look into a camera and give their final message, their last words to the world. The footage is then kept confidential until the subject’s passing.
Brad Falchuk produces the show via his Teley-Vision banner, which has a multi-year deal with Netflix. Banijay Entertainment’s BSNA is also behind the show, along with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which will house the show’s archives.
“Jane Goodall was fearless in all things. She deeply loved humanity and the natural world. It was clear to me in our conversation that she was approaching her final adventure with the same fearlessness, hope, humor and joy that she approached everything else in life. She was one of the world’s greatest and most beloved champions of good,” Falchuk said.
Besides Falchuk, Mikkel Bondesen executive produces with David Goldberg and showrunner David Friedman.
“Famous Last Words” is based on the Danish TV format “Det Sidste Ord,” which has earned acclaim for the sensitive touch that comes with giving living notables (such as musicians, athletes, comedians, actors, business leaders and politicians) a chance to reflect on their lives. In Denmark, “Det Sidste Ord” (“The Last Word”) was the creation of Mikael Bertelsen, who also hosts the series there.
Goodall died Wednesday in Los Angeles at 91. On Friday morning, Netflix released the first episode of “Famous Last Words,” featuring Goodall in conversation earlier this year.
Per Netflix, “The episode will offer viewers a rare opportunity to experience Goodall’s deeply personal reflections on her life’s work as someone who connected humanity to Mother Nature like never before. Goodall also shared never before heard stories about her life. The conversation is extremely honest and revealing and, knowing this would only air after she was gone, Goodall spoke movingly about her own death.”
“Famous Last Words” is taped in a closed-door recording session. And keeping the privacy of the recording, the chat will be shot by remotely operated cameras. At the end of the interview, subjects (including Goodall) are asked to look into a camera and give their final message, their last words to the world. The footage is then kept confidential until the subject’s passing.
Brad Falchuk produces the show via his Teley-Vision banner, which has a multi-year deal with Netflix. Banijay Entertainment’s BSNA is also behind the show, along with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which will house the show’s archives.
“Jane Goodall was fearless in all things. She deeply loved humanity and the natural world. It was clear to me in our conversation that she was approaching her final adventure with the same fearlessness, hope, humor and joy that she approached everything else in life. She was one of the world’s greatest and most beloved champions of good,” Falchuk said.
Besides Falchuk, Mikkel Bondesen executive produces with David Goldberg and showrunner David Friedman.
“Famous Last Words” is based on the Danish TV format “Det Sidste Ord,” which has earned acclaim for the sensitive touch that comes with giving living notables (such as musicians, athletes, comedians, actors, business leaders and politicians) a chance to reflect on their lives. In Denmark, “Det Sidste Ord” (“The Last Word”) was the creation of Mikael Bertelsen, who also hosts the series there.