Martin Scorsese's long and illustrated career in the movie does not require an introduction. But did the legendary director ever engage in television? The answer is yes. From oversight of several episodes of HBO's "Empire of Board" period To paste Netflix's documents "pretend to be a city", Scorsese worked in the media several times over the years. In 2016, he was even involved in a rather ambitious television project: Another HBO period of HBO titled "Vinyl", which created it in collaboration with Mick Agger, Rich Cohen and Terrence Winter. The basic idea was to catch the glamor and nostalgia of the record industry in the 1970s, complete with a stormy spectacle and, perhaps, sprinkling hedonistic excess.

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However, the problem with "Vinyl"-which starts strong thanks to his pilot aimed at Scorsese-is precisely this desperate celebration of the excess. Without something powerful or essential to take over, Vinyl fell into its genres of nostalgia bait and began to burst after a moment. While HBO initially planned to renew the second season show, the decision was later reversed, and the play was eventually canceled after the first season of 10 episodes. To better understand HBO's judgment, let's take a look at what head of programming Casey Bloy was supposed to say about the show's cancellation in 2016 (Per The deadline):

"It didn't land. With limited resources, we didn't think the retention is worth doing the time of manufacturers only if you move the needle a little. We will look at things faster; this is not something I would like to do or rejoice to move forward."

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While this is an understandable business decision, Bloji's statement an incomplete image of "Vinyl", her ethos and failed to achieve despite the involvement of talented creatives. In addition, it is worth our time to dig deeper and examine the vision that shaped the project, and whether things would be different if Scorsese was more involved in the HBO series.

Let me set the scene for Scorsese director, mega-expensive ($ 30 million!) A two-hour Vinyl opening. The year is 1973, and the owner of the label Richie Finestra (Bobby Cannavale) is on the verge of selling his company, a decision that comes with a distribution agreement with Led Zeppelin. That's good news, but a strange encounter with Robert Plant (Zebedi Rowe) makes it clear that sales may not happen at all. At this point, Richie is clearly emphasized and straight that doesn't have fun ... Until he does a few rows of coca and sees the glamorous dolls in Newouper, they stylishly belittle their hit single, a "crisis with the person".

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Scorsese weaves in and out of personal, contained moments and filled utility spaces effortlessly in the episode, giving up the pathos in favor of focusing on vulgar excess living in the moment without worrying about the consequences. Silent moments of anxiety or interpersonal conflict are marked by the rock and roll spectacle, as Richie is simply trying to live and get what he deserves after a series of bad decisions. In the hands of a smaller director, this opening would be Parol, but Scorsese crafts rich tapestry showing a past culture that today does not look cool or aspirative, even with our rose glasses.

But Vinyl is not trying to satirize this feeling, because his hedonistic heart is just as sincere as Richie's belief that he is no Having an existential crisis. With Scorsese's involvement as director, these clients, border tropes work, but not so much in his absence. If nothing else, Vinyl loses its way completely after its third episode, regulating the story of the story we've seen a million times earlier.

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Talking about what, what did Scorsese had to say about his short -term HBO drama? The director expressed his feelings during the 2018 Film Festival in Rome, complaining about the fact that he had no more practical involvement in the show (through Hollywood reporter):

"In the end it was tragic for me because we tried for a year. I made the pilot. We tried a year with HBO, but we couldn't fit the creative elements together. It was something I realized, to do it properly (...) I think I would have had to direct each episode and be there for three years."

Although it is true that the stable involvement of Scorsese can save Vinyl (Similar to Boardwalk Empire), we need to talk about the quality of the post-pilot episodes. Are they really that Bad? To be Frank: No. The grades and the numbers of viewership were not impressive, but they were not even unusual. Despite its mix of regurgited genres of tropes, a good piece of her audience enjoyed "vinyl", with critical consensus, also relying on the positive. (The show right now has 74% of rotten tomatoes.)

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What were the reasons for HBO have canceled "Vinyl" after they have already announced their renewal? According to Cannavale, HBO missed the ball while planning the show's liberation strategy, creating circumstances that the cast and crew had no control over it. As the actor explained Vanity fair In 2024:

"I can eat them from the quarter -finals on Monday: we were really screwed up by circumstances that we had no control over it. Whether it's the fact that the FBO didn't promote it as a new Martin Scorsese movie; they didn't tell their audiences to know that they were not.

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Kanavale also feels personally responsible for the criticism of the series, feeling that he "released Marty" and that HBO's turnaround for the Vinyl Recovery Decision is "like a double f ***-you". Although it is understandable why Cannavale may have felt that the face of this short -term show should not be responsible for a person. In addition, the business side of things often exceeds artistic merit or honest effort, and this can only be the case with the fate of this series.

"Vinyl" was an expensive affair that was supposed to celebrate the lack, glamorous life of real musicians and culture around the music industry at the time. The show's failure to meet the predicted expectations, poorly affected HBO, as it was unable to fuel the profitable drama of prestige even with such fruit names attached. Regardless of the case, Richie Finstra's dreams about a comfortable, rich life were frivolously intertwined (though I don't think too many people are in their hands).