News

Exclusive: Nacelle is partnering with comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham on a new eight-episode docuseries that takes viewers on a family-friendly ride through the history of some of the most exciting cars ever built.

Dunham will be joined by puppet friends like Peanut, Walter, and Bubba J, as he unearths the rich history of cars, starting with his personal collection consisting of over 130 collectible vehicles from around the world. As an avid collector, Dunham’s knowledge of automobiles is extensive and has granted him access to the industry’s biggest players. Some of the most sought-after items, which are frequently loaned to museums like the Petersen Automotive Museum, can be found in his garage. Cars covered on the series range from the stunning Corvette Stingray to the ill-fated Vector W8.

In addition to hosting, Dunham will produce alongside Brian Volk-Weiss, Cisco Henson, Ian Mallahan, Benjamin J. Frost, Robert Hartmann, Matt McNeil,...

Brian Volk-Weiss made headlines at New York Comic Con when The Nacelle Company announced they'll be producing Star Trek action figures. Not only is Nacelle turning out the first new line of figures in some time, they're swinging for the fences with great character choices that haven't been done before. And Volk-Weiss, who's established himself as a pop culture expert from Nacelle's TV series like Icons Unearthed and The Toys That Made Us, isn't stopping there.

In Part 2 of his interview with Cbr, Volk-Weiss explained why certain figures were chosen for Wave 1 and what people can expect when they hit shelves in 2025. He also discussed the initial reaction from Trekkies at Nycc and how Nacelle plans to address their feedback. Plus, hear about his major plans for the future of Star Trek action figures, as he's determined to give fans an incredible run. Part 1 of the interview can be found here.

Innovation and vision meet opportunity in Game Changers. The Discovery Channel limited series tells the origin stories of iconic games. After the premiere shows featuring Nintendo and EA (Electronic Arts)-Madden, other episodes will tackle everything from Monopoly and Atari to Minecraft and Call of Duty. Inventors, journalists, video game enthusiasts, authors, and more talking heads sit down to break down the monumental moves and dirty deals that brought these games to store shelves and into the hands of the public. Who better to take viewers on this fun ride through gaming history than Nacelle CEO and series director, Brian Volk-Weiss. The mastermind behind similar projects like The Toys That Made Us, The Movies That Made Us, Behind the Attraction, and Icons Unearthed. Here Volk-Weiss delves into the show that digs into cornerstones of this billion-dollar industry. What kind of feedback have you gotten so far about Game Changers so far?...

Game Changers is a new docuseries from The Nacelle Company coming to your devices on November 5. The Nacelle Company has made a name for itself in part through its documentary work, with past shows including The Toys That Made Us, Disneys Behind The Attraction, and Icons Unearthed. With Game Changers, the company continues its exploration into pop culture through interviews with inventors, journalists, authors, and more. The series will not only reveal the inspiration behind some of pop cultures biggest gaming landmarks, but also uncover the sometimes shocking stories of their creation.

Screen Rant is happy to offer first details about The Nacelle Companys new series, Game Changers. Directed by The Nacelle Company founder and Icons Unearthed director Brian Volk-Weiss, Game Changers will detail the significance and creation of nostalgic gaming touchstones, from board games to the biggest video game franchises in the world. Read on for a deeper look...

Vice TV and The Nacelle Companys Icons Unearthed series steps away from film and TV franchises for the first time with Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise. Instead of exploring well-known properties like Star Wars, The Simpsons, and Marvel, Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise charts the rise of one of the worlds biggest movie stars. Starting with Cruises origins in movies like Taps and The Outsider, the series aims to highlight a different aspect of Cruises life in each of its six episodes, which have titles like The Stuntman, The Producer, and The Mentor.

Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise marks the 10th season of the series, which was created by The Nacelle Company founder Brian Volk-Weiss. Volk-Weiss has directed every season of the series, from the first Star Wars-focused series to Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man. He also led the charge on The Nacelle Companys other well-known series like The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us.

The documentary series Icons Unearthed continues it look into the life and career of celebrated actor Tom Cruise in its latest episode, airing on Vice TV. This instalment, titled “The Stuntman,” explores Cruise’s penchant for performing daring stunts and his evolution as a producer, all while dealing with challenges in his personal life. The episode […]

Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise: The Stuntman...

In Season 1, Episode 5 of Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise, titled “The Stuntman,” the series delves into the incredible journey of Tom Cruise as he pushes the boundaries of filmmaking. This episode highlights Cruise’s evolution not just as an actor but also as a producer, taking on more control over his projects and embracing even riskier stunts. Known for his commitment to performing his own stunts, Cruise’s dedication to authenticity often leads him to test his physical limits in ways that many would consider extreme.

However, with this heightened level of risk comes significant challenges. The episode explores how Cruise’s personal life begins to intertwine with his career, threatening to send everything he has worked for into a downward spiral. Viewers will gain insight into the pressures and sacrifices he faced while striving for excellence in a high-stakes industry.

Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise airs on Wednesday, 18 September 2024, at 9:00 Pm on Vice,...

In Season 1, Episode 5 of Icons Unearthed: Harry Potter, titled “Growing Up,” the series takes a deeper look at how the Harry Potter franchise evolved as its young stars matured. As the films progressed and the stories became darker, the actors found themselves facing the challenges of growing up in the public eye. The fame that came with being part of such an iconic franchise started to take its toll, and this episode explores the personal struggles the cast experienced as they transitioned from child actors to young adults.

The episode also delves into the impact of bringing in a new director, as the series continued to change both in tone and style. With the shift in direction and the pressures on the cast, there were concerns that the magic of the beloved series could be lost. Fans of the franchise will appreciate this behind-the-scenes look at how the stars navigated these difficulties.

Exclusive: Comedy Dynamics, the world’s largest independent stand-up comedy production and distribution company, has launched a 24/7 free ad-supported TV channel dedicated to stand-up on Amazon Freevee.

The Stand Up Channel will be carefully curated by the Comedy Dynamics team, and feature new and classic stand-up comedy specials, Amazon original specials, and new acquisitions as they become available. Among the comics you can expect to see highlighted are Jim Gaffigan, Tiffany Haddish, Tom Segura, Jeff Dunham, Eddie Griffin, Iliza Shlesinger, Jimmy O. Yang, Bill Hicks, Maria Bamford, Larry the Cable Guy, Anjelah Johnson, Lavell Crawford, Russell Peters, Kathleen Madigan, Gary Owen, Whitney Cummings and more.

Comedy Dynamics launches its new Fast channel following success with the Comedy Dynamics channel, the company’s first Fast channel, which similarly showcases their vast stand-up comedy library to Amazon customers. All Fast channels available on Freevee can be accessed through the Freevee app, as...

Icons Unearthed continues its exploration of Tom Cruise’s career with a double bill of episodes on Vice. At 8:00 Pm, “The Serious Actor” examines how Cruise received his first Oscar nomination for breaking out of his mold in “Born on the Fourth of July,” moving away from the shadow of Dustin Hoffman’s performance in “Rain […]

Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise – The Serious Actor and The Mentor...

On Wednesday September 4 2024, Vice broadcasts Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise!

The Newcomer Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise,” titled “The Newcomer,” promises to delve into a pivotal moment in Tom Cruise’s career. This episode will focus on the film “Risky Business,” which helped launch Cruise into stardom. The show will explore how this iconic role transformed his life and the film industry.

Viewers can expect to see insights into the creative process behind “Risky Business.” The episode will highlight how director Paul Brickman faced challenges while making the film. One key aspect of the story is how Brickman was forced to change the film’s ending, which could have altered its impact significantly. This change is likely to spark discussions about the importance of creative decisions in filmmaking.

As Tom Cruise steps into the spotlight, the episode will not only celebrate his talent but also...

Vice TV’s Icons Unearthed takes a look at Tom Cruise, the actor legendary for his commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable performances. The documentary series kicks off with a double bill of episodes, “The Newcomer” and “The Star,” airing back-to-back on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, starting at 8:00 Pm. “The Newcomer” explores Tom Cruise’s […]

Icons Unearthed: Tom Cruise...

We’re getting more episodes of The Toys That Made Us! An announcement was made during San Diego Coic-Con that the popular Netflix docuseries would be returning for two additional seasons. Tttmu fed the appetites of fans who grew up collecting everything from Barbie and He-Man to Hello Kitty and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each episode brought nostalgic goodness through origin stories told in such a unique and entertaining way. The winning formula of Brian Volk-Weiss and The Nacelle Company led to offshoots like The Movies That Made Us and other programs including Icons Unearthed. It’s hard to believe it has been almost five years since Season 3 dropped. And ever since Volk-Weiss has been asked if or when the show was coming back. Fast forward to the recent news that he is doubling down with topics tackled including Ghostbusters, Hot Wheels, Fast Food Toys, Pokemon, Polly Pocket, Super Hero Toys,...

On Wednesday July 24 2024, Vice broadcasts Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man!

The Kids Want to See the Puppets Episode Summary

In this episode of “Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man,” the audience is in for a treat as the pressure mounts to deliver a sequel to Spider-Man. However, there’s a catch – there’s no finished script yet. The clock is ticking, adding an extra layer of tension to the already intense battle between CGI and puppets.

Fans of the show can expect to see behind-the-scenes drama unfold as the production team scrambles to meet deadlines and make crucial creative decisions. The challenges of balancing the use of CGI with puppets will be front and center, showcasing the intricate process of bringing a beloved superhero to life on screen.

As the episode unfolds, viewers will witness the passion and dedication of the cast and crew as they navigate the complexities of filmmaking. From last-minute script changes to technical glitches,...

The Nacelle Company's Icons Unearthed TV series is swinging back into action with Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man, which tells the inside story of Marvel's most famous hero. Over six episodes, executive producer Brian Volk-Weiss and his creative team dissect the twists, turns and pitfalls in Peter Parker's journey to the big screen and big box-office receipts. The Vice show is a must-watch for any Spider-Man enthusiast, but it's not only for superfans.

Cbr spoke to Brian Volk-Weiss ahead of the Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man premiere to find out what audiences can expect this season. Along the way, Volk-Weiss discussed how Nacelle has developed Icons Unearthed into an entire pop culture franchise that's also covered the likes of James Bond and the history of The Simpsons. But as they delved into this latest chapter, what did he learn about Spider-Man that changed his opinion on the character?

Cbr: It's amazing that Icons Unearthed...

Brian Volk-Weiss discusses the creation of Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man. The purpose of Icons Unearthed is to explore iconic things, and this season focuses on more superheroes after the success of Icons Unearthed: Marvel. Volk-Weiss attributes Spider-Man's popularity to relatability and humor, and shares his favorite interview with Todd McFarlane, who provided a unique perspective on the character.

The Nacelle Company and Vice continue to explore the best-known but least understood pop culture phenomena with Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man. The new six-episode season of Icons Unearthed explores the Spider-Man cinematic universe, largely focusing on Sam Raimis influential trilogy but continuing through Marvel Studios 2021 hit Spider-Man: No Way Home. As with other seasons, Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man is full of interviews with a range of people involved in the wall-crawlers transition to the big screen, and features stunt performers, special effects artists, and more.

As with all other series seasons, Icons Unearthed: Spider-Man was...

Get ready to delve into the iconic journey of Spider-Man with the episode titled “Swinging Into Action” on “Icons Unearthed,” airing at 10:00 Pm on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024, exclusively on Vice. This episode explores the evolution of Spider-Man from his origins in comic books to becoming a beloved character on television and the big screen.

Viewers will witness how Spider-Man transitioned from the pages of comics into animated series and TV adaptations, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. The show delves into the challenges and creative decisions that shaped Spider-Man’s portrayal across different media formats, highlighting his enduring popularity and cultural impact.

From the classic animated series to the groundbreaking film adaptations by director Sam Raimi, “Icons Unearthed” traces Spider-Man’s journey through the lens of entertainment history. Viewers can expect behind-the-scenes insights, interviews with creators, and a nostalgic look back at Spider-Man’s transformation into a cultural icon.

While the Smashing Pumpkins continue their nationwide search for a new guitarist, Billy Corgan will keep busy with a new reality show centering on his role as owner of the National Wrestling Alliance.

The eight-episode Billy Corgan’s Adventures in Carnyland will premiere May 14 on the CW app and website. The unscripted series finds Corgan balancing his home life with partner (and soon-to-be wife) Chloe Mendel and their children with his jobs as both a rock star and the owner of the Nwa, the wrestling company he purchased in 2017.

“Rebuilding...

Exclusive: Brian Volk-Weiss’ Nacelle Company on Wednesday announced Billy Corgan’s Adventures in Carnyland, an eight-episode unscripted series that’s set to premiere on The CW app and cwtv.com on May 14th.

Directed by Volk-Weis and Ian Roumain, the series pulls back the curtain on how the legendary frontman of alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins takes on the world. When he isn’t churning out albums and touring the world with his band, Corgan works as a wrestling promoter through his storied National Wrestling Alliance, which he intends to restore to its former glory. As if being a rock star navigating the demanding politics of running both a band (Pumpkinworld) and a group of eccentric wrestlers (Carnyland) isn’t tricky enough, he’s also a father of two — and he’s planning a wedding to his longtime partner, Chloe Mendel. Can he possibly keep all these balls in the air?...

Get ready for an inside look at the making of “The Lord of The Rings” in the latest episode of “Icons Unearthed.” In “Stepping Out the Front Door,” airing Wednesday night on Vice, viewers will delve deep into the challenges faced by the studio and director Peter Jackson during the production of this epic film series.

As the studio takes risky gambles, tensions rise, and Jackson finds himself grappling with the weighty responsibility of directing such a monumental project. Despite his efforts to navigate the challenges, the pressure mounts, leading to a grueling shoot that takes its toll on the cast and crew.

In this gripping episode, one of the dwarves is unexpectedly sent packing, adding another layer of drama to the already intense production. Don’t miss “Icons Unearthed: The Lord of The Rings” as it uncovers the untold stories behind one of cinema’s most beloved franchises, airing...

Attention fantasy fans! Get ready to delve into the captivating world of “Icons Unearthed: The Lord of The Rings” in the upcoming episode titled “Wizards at Work,” airing Wednesday at 10:00 Pm on Vice.

In this installment, viewers will uncover the intricate web of technological magic behind the beloved “Lord of The Rings” trilogy. The spotlight shines on Weta, the creative powerhouse responsible for bringing Middle-earth to life on the big screen. However, behind the scenes, internal strife threatens to disrupt the harmonious flow of creativity and innovation.

Join the journey as “Icons Unearthed” explores the challenges faced by the visionary minds at Weta and the remarkable feats they achieved in crafting the fantastical world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s imagination. From groundbreaking special effects to stunning visual landscapes, this episode promises to offer a captivating glimpse into the making of one of cinema’s most iconic franchises. Tune in Wednesday...

From Detective Comics to the small screen to cartoons to one of the most bankable properties in Hollywood, Batman has had quite the journey, and it will be explored in the latest season of Vice TV’s “Icons Unearthed.” The cable network will premiere two new seasons of the show on Wednesday, March 20. First, “Icons Unearthed: Lord of the Rings” at 9 p.m. Et and then “Icons Unearthed: Batman” at 10 p.m. Et. Dive deep into the history of the Dark Knight in the latest season of the show. You can watch Vice TV with a 7-Day Free Trial of Philo. You can also watch with Directv Stream, Sling TV, or Hulu Live TV.

How to Watch 'Icons Unearthed: Batman' When: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 10:00 Pm Edt TV: Vice TV Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Philo. 7-Day Free Trial$25+ / month philo.com About 'Icons Unearthed: Batman'

Narrated...

One of the most interesting and insightful series on pop culture returns on Wednesday, March 20 as Vice TV’s “Icons Unearthed” series debuts not one, but two new series, with a third slated for slated this spring. On Wednesday at 9 p.m. Et, “Icons Unearthed: Lord of the Rings” will dive into the incredible history of arguably the most popular and successful fantasy franchise in history. You can watch Vice TV with a 7-Day Free Trial of Philo. You can also watch with Directv Stream, Sling TV, or Hulu Live TV.

How to Watch 'Icons Unearthed: Lord of the Rings' When: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 9:00 Pm Edt TV: Vice TV Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Philo. 7-Day Free Trial$25+ / month philo.com About 'Icons Unearthed: Lord of the Rings'

The “Icons Unearthed” season that focuses on the J.R.R. Tolkien masterpiece will be narrated by Graham McTavish who...

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/Film recently ranked the five live-action Fantastic Four films and came to the following daring conclusion: Oley Sassone's unreleased 1994 entry "The Fantastic Four" was the best. Many have seen this version of "The Fantastic Four" thanks to the wide circulation of bootleg copies, and it's been ridiculed in many cinematic circles for its low budget (it was made for only $1 million), its corny dialogue, and its aggressively bad special effects. But while the cheapness of Sassone's film is visibly evident -- it was overseen by B-movie elder stateman Roger Corman -- it does manage to capture the comic-operatic tone of the original 1960s comic books. It accurately understands the outsize nature of the characters.

For many years, the only way to see "The Fantastic Four" was through surreptitiously distributed VHS taps handed off between nerdy high school students. Thanks...

Exclusive: Nacelle, the Burbank-based production and distribution company behind The Toys and Movies That Made Us, Behind the Attraction and Biker Mice From Mars, has brought on Hud Woodle to run the company’s International Sales Division.

Woodle moves to Nacelle from Grb Studios where he served as Head of Global Sales & Acquisitions.

Woodle has held a variety of international roles over the last decade, including VP of International Program Sales at Scripps Networks International, and as Vice President of International Program Sales and Distribution and General Manager at Food Networks Asia, working in New York and Singapore. Woodle also worked at NBC Universal International Television as a sales executive for E! Entertainment, and at Tech TV in global program sales.

The move to hire Woodle comes as Nacelle is expanding its production, distribution, and toy manufacturing divisions, on the heels of major developments in the growing NacelleVerse, a shared...

Icons Unearthed: James Bond is the latest installment in the series, exploring the iconic James Bond franchise with brand-new interviews and deep research. The series focuses on the process of casting different actors for the role of James Bond and the impact of these casting decisions on the franchise. The interview with George Lazenby, who played Bond, provides fascinating insights into his experience and sheds light on the unique dynamics behind his casting.

Icons Unearthed is back again with Icons Unearthed: James Bond. Each season, Icons Unearthed searches for a new angle on a pop culture mainstay and brings it to life through brand-new interviews, deep research, and snappy editing. With the James Bond franchise at something of an inflection point after the game-changing ending of No Time to Die, Icons Unearthed: James Bond offers a look back at the world-famous franchise as a whole.

The man behind Icons Unearthed...

The Expanse action figures by The Nacelle Company offer a first look at characters from the beloved sci-fi show, including Chrisjen Avasarala and Camina Drummer. The attention to detail in the figures, although artist renderings, is impressive, with Avasarala's outfit and Drummer's firearm accurately represented. The first series of action figures will feature other iconic characters from The Expanse, including Josephus Miller, James Holden, Amos Burton, Bobbie Draper, and Naoma Nagata.

Screen Rant is excited to offer a first look at the first-ever The Expanse action figures. The Expanse’s untimely season 6 ending has left a hunger for further exploration of the world first created by author James S. A. Corey, as three of Corey’s novels have not yet been adapted into live-action. The Expanse does live on in projects like the tie-in comic The Expanse: Dragon Tooth, but hopes remain high for an eventual seventh season.

Characters...

Though "The Empire Strikes Back" is often regarded now as the best "Star Wars" film, the surprising runner-up in our poll two years ago was "Return of the Jedi," which is celebrating its 40th anniversary today. That "Jedi" should make such a strong showing was surprising if only because the film tends to take a slight critical drubbing in comparison to "Empire" and the first "Star Wars" movie, now known as "A New Hope."

With "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back," directors George Lucas and Irvin Kershner each carved out a distinct tone and vision for what the original "Star Wars" trilogy could be. Still, the contemporary love for "Empire" doesn't necessarily align with the immediate reaction audiences had to it back in the day. Last year, the Vice TV docuseries "Icons Unearthed: Star Wars" spliced in footage of one '80s fan exiting the theater, saying, "It could've been a better ending,...

The names Unearthed, Icons Unearthed. That's right, Vice TV's documentary series Icons Unearthed has eyed the James Bond franchise as its next official target. The fifth season of the series that peels back the curtain on some of the world's most popular film and television franchises will focus on cinema's most legendary spy. The news, courtesy of Deadline, also confirms that Icons Unearthed has been renewed for a further six seasons—taking it through to a tenth season run.

The director and creator of the docuseries Icons Unearthed: Marvel has hopes for Agents of Shield to join the MCU, thanks to the recent (re-)introduction of Daredevil. Chronicling the rise of Marvel Comics and the MCU from the company’s inception through the release of the first Ant-Man film, Icons Unearthed: Marveltakes a behind-the-scenes look at how the biggest modern film phenomenon came to be. One key factor, according to Icons Unearthed: Marvel director Brian Volk-Weiss, is the company’s willingness to take risks and do what needs to be done on behalf of its characters.

A prime example of such a thing, according to Volk-Weiss, is the way Marvel has treated the characters from its Netflix series in recent years. As many among the Marvel audience are aware, the Netflix Marvel shows introduced beloved takes on Daredevil and The Defenders, only to be kept out of...

The Nacelle Company and Vice TV’s Icons Unearthed: Marvel continues the Icons Unearthed series with a deep dive into the biggest film phenomenon of the modern era. The series begins with the origins of the Marvel comic book company and the surprising twists and turns that brought it to the brink of 2008’s Iron Man, chronicling key moments that have since shaped the MCU. Icons Unearthed: Marvel also benefits from interviews with a number of key players, including the former head of Marvel TV Jeph Loeb, Phil Coulson actor Clark Gregg, and Hulk icon Lou Ferrigno.

Icons Unearthed: Marvel was directed by Brian Volk-Weiss, who founded The Nacelle Company. Volk-Weiss is behind a number of other well-known deep dive shows, including the other Icons Unearthed seasons (such as one exploring the Fast and Furious franchise), and the Netflix docuseries The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us.

Thanks to the massive success of the 1987 animated series "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," toy companies and television networks were all looking for their own anthropomorphic crimefighting animal franchises in the late 1980s and early 1990s. And when they eventually found them, the results were wild. In the words of Guns N' Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle."

"Battletoads" was probably the most blatant ripoff. "Road Rovers" was another swing and a miss. "Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron" had a pretty awesome show, but the toy line didn't deliver as much as the cartoon. Then came "Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa" and "Street Sharks," which excelled in both areas. But when "Biker Mice From Mars" premiered in 1993, both the show and the toys stood head and shoulders above the rest (but always just below Tmnt). The little kid version of me went nuts for this show, as well as the action...

In 2022, it's quite difficult to explain the deathly tight grip that "Married... with Children" had on American culture. The show, which first aired in 1987, was generally constructed like the 30-some years of sitcoms that came before it. There was a working-class father (Ed O'Neill), a doting mother (Katey Sagal), and a pair of precocious teen kids. They even had a stock "nosy neighbor" (Amanda Bearce). The gag of "Married...," however, was that the characters were all the most awful people you've ever seen. Dad was a slobby misanthrope who hated his family with open disgust, Mom's only survival trait was curt mockery of her slovenly husband, and the kids were various levels of idiotic, each pursuing sex and money with only the dimmest perception of the world around them. What's more, they often celebrated their own shortcomings. They were the below-average, all-American family you loved to hate.

The 1980s was...

It's always been extremely difficult to get a television show greenlit on a major network. Creatives seemingly need to jump through endless hoops and pass all sorts of tests, and in the end, it can all come down to the personal whims of some executive.

It's hard to believe that a show like "The Simpsons," which has been around for more than 30 years at this point, also at one point struggled just to get made. While these days it seems like anytime show creator Matt Groening sneezes two more seasons of the show appear, bringing the first 13 episodes of the series to life took a lot of convincing on the part of the show's creators.

Groening, who was at that point best known for writing the comic strip "Life in Hell," came up with his pitch for "The Simpsons" somewhat last minute. It's important to note that there are those who dispute that claim.

As of this writing, "The Simpsons" is 33 years old, which is, in TV years, closer to 110. The startling continued longevity of the animated sitcom has been enthralling to witness. The film will rise in quality, it will fall, it will rise again. It seems to be heading toward a conclusion, then throws open another curtain to reveal a further four-season plan. And still it lives, that keen and heavenward flame. 

Due to said longevity, "The Simpsons" has transformed into an institution. It's difficult, then, to recall how revolutionary, how daring, and how subversive "The Simpsons" once was. It was an all-American sitcom, but skewed. The characters were yellow skinned, oddly shaped, and crass. They said "damn" on the air. They attempted to live a typical, clean, successful sitcom life, but were slaves to their grounded, base, below-average-ness. Bart (Nancy Cartwright) was a legitimate troublemaker who was proud of his underachiever status.

One of this summer’s most surprising television events has been Vice TV’s Icons Unearthed: Star Wars. What makes this program — whose latest episode covering the production of Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones, airs Aug. 16at 10 p.m. Et — so compelling is how it somehow manages to be a treasure trove of new information about George Lucas’ space saga.

Even before the internet made information about the original and prequel trilogy easy to come by, Star Wars was the most dissected franchise in motion picture (and pop culture) history. With every bit of minutiae relating to the film’s production having been analyzed to death by this point, what, if anything, is there to learn about Star Wars that we haven’t already heard a million times before?

Enter Brian Volk-Weiss.

The mastermind behind The Toys That Made Us, The Movies That Made Us and At a Toy Store Near You,...

The Nacelle Company’s “Icons Unearthed” has been renewed for Season 2 by Vice TV, Variety has learned exclusively.

In Season 2, the six-part documentary series will focus on long-running animated sitcom “The Simpsons.” Directed by Nacelle Company CEO Brian Volk-Weiss, “Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons” will reveal previously unknown and surprising details about the beloved animated series. The second season also features exclusive interviews with several writers, directors, actors and network executives, including Bill Oakley, Rich Moore, Jon Vitti, Mimi Pond, Doug Benson, Todd McFarlane, Garth Ancier, Phil Roman and Jennifer Howell.

“We’re ecstatic to have the second season of our ‘Icons Unearthed’ documentary series officially picked up by Vice TV. It’s an honor to be able to tell the little known history behind one of the most historic franchises in television, ‘The Simpsons,’” Volk-Weiss said in a statement.

In the first season of “Icons Unearthed,” the show explored the...