A&E Orders Pop-Culture Docuseries from Morgan Spurlock

A&E Network has tied up with Morgan Spurlock’s Warrior Poets and Time Inc.’s Entertainment Weekly to produce Cultureshock, an original documentary series focused on turning points in the history of popular culture.

One episode of Cultureshock will see comedian W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America) directing a film about how Chris Rock changed the face of comedy with his 1996 special Bring the Pain. Another will look on as Spurlock spotlights the rise of tabloid talk shows, including Geraldo and The Jerry Springer Show. The eight-hour docuseries is due to debut on A&E next year.

Executive producers include Spurlock, Jeremy Chilnick and Matthew Galkin for Warrior Poets; Jess Cagle, Henry Glodblatt, J.J. Miller and Ian Orefice for Entertainment Weekly; and Elaine Frontain Bryant, Shelly Tatro and Brad Abramson for A&E.

Frontain Bryant, the executive VP and head of programming at A&E Network, remarked: “There are moments in pop culture that create a lot of buzz, but are largely forgotten. Then there are those moments that have a truly lasting impact on society. Cultureshock will shed light on the untold stories behind those big, unforgettable moments. The stories are truly fascinating and we are excited to team with Morgan and Warrior Poets, Entertainment Weekly and the all-star directors Warrior Poets has assembled for the series.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to be making Cultureshock with A&E and Entertainment Weekly,” noted Spurlock. “This landmark documentary series will celebrate every facet of popular culture, and with so many amazing stories to tell and share, this first season is just the beginning!”