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New York City Was the Real Star of ‘Billions’

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Neighborhoods Where Characters Lived
Served as Shorthand for Their Personalities

by Dodai Stewart | New York Times | October 27, 2023

As the Showtime series airs its final episode, the showrunners look back at the essential role the city’s restaurants and neighborhoods played.

New York City has been the backdrop for many TV series over the years, from “Law & Order” to “Sex and the City” to “Succession.” But the Showtime series “Billions,” which ends on Sunday after seven seasons, may have been the New Yorkiest of them all.

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Billions Creators Wanted Finale to Feel Like West Wing

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

It’s a Thrill Riding Shotgun With These Avaricious Characters

by Sarene Leeds | Vulture | October 27, 2023

The markets have closed for Billions, the high-stakes financial drama that concluded its run after seven adrenaline-filled seasons. With one last flawlessly executed final scheme, longtime rivals Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and Bobby “Axe” Axelrod (Damian Lewis) banded together to topple self-righteous billionaire Mike Prince (Corey Stoll). In one fell swoop, Prince turned pauper and Axe’s most loyal sycophants lined their pockets. “Admirals Fund” provides the veneer of a happy ending, with Axe reclaiming his old hedge fund and career lawman Chuck reasserting his mission to bring criminals to justice, but that doesn’t signify growth, co-creators and co-showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien tell Vulture. “They can’t help themselves!” says Koppelman. “You’re taking on the language of evolving, maybe, but that doesn’t mean you’re evolving.”

Continue reading Billions Creators Wanted Finale to Feel Like West Wing

Billions Print Media Recap

‘Billions’ Director Talks Series Finale Scheme and Gives Update on Spinoffs

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Happy Endings for REAL Billions’ Fans

by Ileane Rudolph | TV Insider | October 27, 2023

Who’d have thunk? Billions, Showtime’s smart and cynical hit show about the intersecting worlds of NYC’s financial and law enforcement goes out with a happy ending.

TV Insider talked to Neil Burger, a producer and director who helmed, among many other episodes, the inaugural episode and the series finale. (He also has a feature film The Marsh King’s Daughter debuting on November 3.)

Continue reading ‘Billions’ Director Talks Series Finale Scheme and Gives Update on Spinoffs

Billions Print Media Recap

‘Billions’ Bosses Break Down That Electric Series Finale

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Ending Was Crafted for the Billions’ Obsessives

by Josh Wigler | The Hollywood Reporter | October 27, 2023

Series creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien tell The Hollywood Reporter that the ending was crafted for the “‘Billions’ obsessives” who stuck around with the finance drama for seven seasons, and potentially into multiple spinoffs on the other side.

“Bobbie Sue took the money and run” is not exactly the same as saying “Bobby and Chuck took the money and run,” though “Sue” is not a bad nickname for the crusading lawyer played for seven seasons by Paul Giamatti. Still, the vibes are very much on point as Steve Miller Band’s “Take the Money and Run” played viewers out in the opening and closing moments of the series finale of Billions, which ended a seven-season run with one last signature heist and one last big score for basically every single character — everyone, except for late-game antagonist Mike Prince (Corey Stoll).

Continue reading ‘Billions’ Bosses Break Down That Electric Series Finale

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Series Finale: Creators Explain Ending, Pop Culture Analogies and Why Axe Didn’t Hook Up With Wendy

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admirals Fund

by Lynette Rice | Deadline | October 27, 2023

It’s the end of the road for Bobby Axelrod and his team: the drama created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien ended its seven-season run Oct. 27 with a tidy finale that keeps Axe (Damian Lewis) in the game of making money.

Here, Koppelman and Levien reflect on the finale, how the writers strike impacted production on the finale, and why they couldn’t say goodbye without including a few more pop culture analogies (like Phil Spector with River Deep!) in the episode.

Sadly, questions about Billions spinoffs were verboten.

Continue reading Billions Series Finale: Creators Explain Ending, Pop Culture Analogies and Why Axe Didn’t Hook Up With Wendy

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: How it Ended and Who Wound Up Really Rich

On October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admirals Fund

by Breanne L. Heldman | People Magazine | October 27, 2023

“You learn a lot facing a man, battling against him. But when you throw them together…”

After seven seasons, Showtime’s hit drama Billions made its final bow Friday on Paramount+ with Showtime. (The series finale will air on Showtime on Sunday evening, so if you are waiting to watch it then, stop reading now!)

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: How it Ended and Who Wound Up Really Rich

Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: Take the Money and Run

On October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Admirals Fund

by Sarene Leeds | Vulture | October 27, 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the warmest and fuzziest episode of Billions ever!

Sure, co-creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who wrote the series finale, gave us the expected tension-filled hour featuring a super-elaborate scheme, a Steve Miller Band soundtrack, and no shortage of double-, triple-, and quadruple-crossings. But, “Admirals Fund” also wrapped up Billions with a heavy dose of respect, kindness, and gasp, HUGGING. So much hugging.

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 12 Series Finale Recap: Take the Money and Run

Billions Print Media

Billions’ Creators Discuss How the Finale was Fueled by Backstabbing and Blind Faith’s Music

On October 27, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

This Season is For People Who Really Loved the Show

by Greg Braxton | LA Times | October 27, 2023

When the propulsive financial drama “Billions” premiered in 2016, its core premise centered on the vicious blood feud between U.S Atty. Chuck Rhoades and billionaire hedge fund king Bobby “Axe” Axelrod. The hatred between the two men was so fierce it was almost assured that only one man would be left standing at the end.

But the climactic moment of the series finale showcased a warm handshake between Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and Axelrod (Damian Lewis) as they reflected how their vicious duel had radically changed them both and made them better men.
The moment was unexpected but also inevitable. The former foes had joined forces this final season to combat their common enemy — Michael “Mike” Prince (Corey Stoll), a billionaire who was not as brash as Axelrod but who unveiled a sinister hunger for power as he launched his candidacy to become president.

Continue reading Billions’ Creators Discuss How the Finale was Fueled by Backstabbing and Blind Faith’s Music

Billions Print Media

As ‘Billions’ Ends, Its Creators Discuss the Changing Face of the Ultrarich

On October 26, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Billions: Imminent Conclusion

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | October 26, 2023

In an interview, the showrunners discussed its imminent conclusion and the rise of billionaires who believe they are “making the world a better place.”

As the Showtime financial thriller “Billions” prepares to air its final episode this weekend, it’s worth considering how far we’ve come. The show started as the story of the crusading U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and the hard-charging hedge funder Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). Exclusive restaurants, elaborate schemes and a host of cameos by real-world power players provided the backdrop for their battle.

Continue reading As ‘Billions’ Ends, Its Creators Discuss the Changing Face of the Ultrarich

Interviews Music Print Media

Damian Lewis Talks Music Before His Basingstoke Show

On October 26, 2023October 26, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Jazz and Jazz Influences

by Lola Crossman | Basingstoke Gazette | October 26, 2023

HOLLYWOOD actor and singer-songwriter Damian Lewis has spoken to the Gazette ahead of his show at The Haymarket in November.

Damian Lewis is best known for portraying US Army Major Richard Winters in the Steven Spielberg HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.

Damian has also played notable roles in the TV shows Billions and Homeland, and portrayed actor Steve McQueen in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino.

He released his debut album, Mission Creep, on June 16, with influences of rock and ‘jazz-tinged songs’.

Continue reading Damian Lewis Talks Music Before His Basingstoke Show

Billions Print Media Recap

From The Trader’s Desk: Follow the Breadcrumbs…

On October 26, 2023October 25, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Billions Season 7 Episode 11: ‘Axe Global’

by Lady Trader | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | October 26, 2023

‘Cause what you see you might not get
And we can bet, so don’t you get souped yet
You’re scheming on a thing that’s a mirage
I’m trying to tell you now, it’s sabotage
Sabotage – Beastie Boys

Well, ladies and gentlemen, here we are – the penultimate episode of Billions!

As the lyrics above state, what you see you might not get, and I do think what we didn’t see in this episode is going to turn out to be way more important than what we did. Let’s get into it.

Continue reading From The Trader’s Desk: Follow the Breadcrumbs…

Billions Poll Print Media

Billions MVPs: Season 7 Episode 11, “Axe Global”

On October 25, 2023October 25, 2023 By Gingersnap Comments Off

The Unbeatable, Unstoppable, Unparalleled MVPs

by Staff | Fan Fun With Damian Lewis | October 25, 2023

Billions is back and so is our MVP series! We continue to award our Most Valuable Players for Billions season seven in our series compilation, the ‘Billions MVP Fanbook,’ which commemorates all those in honor of achievement for the utmost brazen, uber shameless, ultra scheming, unmatched bad asses from the episode – from sports references, music and tasty food to pop culture remarks, shocking twists and ultimate paybacks. In case you missed it, catch up with the MVPs of the season seven premiere Tower of London, episode two Original Sin, episode three Winston Dick Energy, episode four Hurricane Rosie, episode five The Gulag Archipelago, episode six The Man in the Olive Drab T-Shirt, episode seven DMV, episode eight The Owl, episode nine Game Theory Optimal and episode ten Enemies List.