Unexpected Turn of Events: Apple TV+ Cancels Series Based on Gawker
Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, isn't a fan of the now-defunct Gawker Media, particularly its subsidiary, Gizmodo. The latter infamously acquired an iPhone 4 prototype in 2010, leading to a public feud between the two entities. Fast forward to 2022, it surfaced that Apple was set to launch a show on Apple TV+, chronicling Gizmodo's heyday under the fictional name 'Scraper.' The proposed series was spearheaded by former Gawker staffers Cord Jefferson and Max Read.
Apparently, the show had made significant progress, with several episodes completed, and Apple TV+ exec Layne Eskridge was instrumental in bringing it to fruition. However, the project unexpectedly met its demise when Cook came to learn of it. The New York Times reported that Cook had a less-than-enthusiastic view towards Gawker and its history.
Historically, Apple and Gawker have had their fair share of confrontations. Gawker's technology gossip blog, Valleywag, had speculated about Cook's sexuality in 2008 and again later when he assumed CEO in 2011. Given this backdrop, Cook's objection to an Apple TV+ show revolving around Gawker is hardly surprising.
Apple's strict control over Apple TV+ content has been well-documented. As per reports, Cook has implemented strict content guidelines to ensure Apple TV+ caters to a broad and family-friendly audience. This undoubtedly played a role in Apple's decision to halt the production of a show about Gawker Media's controversial past.
While it's disappointing that the show won't air on Apple TV+, it's equally amusing to contemplate how Apple would have presented Gawker's story, given its penchant for portraying itself positively in its productions. Would the fictional Gizmodo office have been filled with iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads? What twist would Apple have given to the iPhone 4 incident? These questions remain unanswered for now, but it's a fascinating concept to ponder upon!
The show, reportedly titled 'Scraper,' was said to feature Dre, a former Gawker staffer, who was instrumental in the acquisition of the iPhone 4 prototype in 2010. As tech enthusiasts and bloggers eagerly awaited the release, the project was abruptly halted due to Apple CEO Tim Cook's disapproval, given Gawker's past purported gawkers towards him. With Apple's commitment to family-friendly content on Apple TV+, the future of a Gawker-focused series seemed uncertain and caught the attention of tech gawkers worldwide.
