SEASON THREE PRODUCTION NOTES

“Survivor’s Remorse is a show about an American family thrust into fame and fortune via the world of Pro Basketball. But it’s not about points scored on the court. It’s more about what happens to a family before tipoff and after the final buzzer. It’s about human beings dealing with human challenges and trying to evolve into the best versions of themselves.” -Mike O’Malley

Back In Atlanta

Season Three of “Survivor’s Remorse” returns with emotional family trauma after Uncle Julius is thrown from his car in a terrible crash. In the aftermath of the accident, the family must cope with issues of loss, , celebrity and responsibility. However, with Calloway-style flair, this family finds a way to pull each other through the challenges with love, insight and humor.

The production filmed once again in Atlanta, where the story is set. Most filming took place at a mansion in Buckhead, an upscale neighborhood in Atlanta. The mansion serves as the Calloway residence, but because of the sheer size of the residence, it has also housed several sets such as a therapist’s office, sports show set and a San Francisco hotel suite. Production Designer Alex Hadju says that the is the show’s de facto stage, “It’s nice to have one place to house most of our sets, like a studio.”

And returning is the talented, sharp and cohesive ensemble cast of RonReaco Lee (Reggie Vaughn), Jessie T. Usher (Cam Calloway), Erica Ash (M-Chuck Calloway), Tichina Arnold (Cassie Calloway), Teyonah Parris (Missy Vaughn), and Mike Epps (Uncle Julius). Showrunner, executive producer and writer Mike O’Malley praises the cast, “They are tremendously talented actors who work really hard. They want the scenes to be great and they bring an incredible to work that is infectious”

This Season at Calloway Castle…

As in seasons past, “Survivor’s Remorse” follows the Calloway family as they deal with life’s challenges and victories, but as “new-moneyed” people. New moneyed people who make a lot of mistakes. Now that money has diminished some of their problems associated with their poor background in the Boston projects, they find themselves weathering new challenges that come with their new environment- from relationships, business decisions, human transgressions and questionable social customs.

According to O’Malley, “One of the things that the Calloways have to learn like all human beings, is that the mistakes that they make through their own personal faults and failures are sometimes the biggest ones to try to get over.”

Fans of the series are eager to learn what’s new for the Calloways, and in light of Uncle Julius’ car accident, what has happened to him. Says O’Malley, “I think fans can look forward to more of the vocal, blunt Calloways and Vaughns getting together and tackling their own personal obstacles.

“Fans should watch Season Three because it’s hilarious.” Teyonah Parris (Missy Vaughn) adds, “The show is funny, it’s raw, it’s so real, you will crack up, you will cry. It’s just an amazing 30- minute ride every week and why wouldn’t you wanna tune into that?”

In true Survivor’s Remorse comedy-drama fashion, issues will still be at the forefront of the story telling. O’Malley sees the show as “more than a comedy. That’s what these times call for. If we’re working this hard to make something great, we want it to be something of substance— something people reflect upon, argue about and discuss, even after the credits roll.”

Tichina Arnold (Cassie Calloway) says, "’Survivor's Remorse’ has stayed fresh and exciting because we try to stay on real topics, real issues, current events.” And issues are always “more palatable when it comes through comedy.”

“We talk about things in everyone’s lives: sin, remorse, mistakes, regret, forgiveness, redemption,” says O’Malley.

“Yes we sometimes tackle very serious issues, but if you can't laugh then you're consumed with whatever this issue makes you feel,” Erica Ash (M-Chuck) explains. “Whether it's sad or guilty or angry, you can be consumed by that and all those are negative emotions. So, if you can find a way to laugh at whatever it is, then I think you're winning.”

All in the Family

From Cam’s meteoric rise and M-Chuck’s struggle to control her anger, to Cassie’s longing to belong and Reggie’s desire for the family to trust his budding expertise as a manager – the Calloway clan and their struggles in this third season combine humor and emotional depth.

“Our characters are relatable because they’re so real,” says Erica Ash. Teyonah Parris agrees, “You can pinpoint different parts of yourself in each one of the characters.”

This season, M-Chuck is faced with an identity crisis. “One of the things that has been a taboo subject in this family is the identity of M-Chuck's father,” says O’Malley. “For her whole life, M- Chuck has just accepted the notion that her father was a deadbeat, and wanted no part of her life. And since Cassie has forbidden discussion of it, M-chuck has nothing to draw on. But her emerging emotional growth via court ordered therapy means the subject can longer remain off limits. All of this comes to a head, especially at the end of the season.”

“Cassie has learned a lot,” says Tichina Arnold about her character. “She's learned that it's OK to love and to accept love. She's learned how to spend money better. And more. And she's also learned that she has some serious issues with her daughter.”

After three season, the cast has grown incredibly close, and Arnold believes that comes across

on screen as well. “Our dynamic as friends and us operating as friends and family off the set has been a tremendous help to what and who we are, on camera,” she say. But she also gives credit to O’Malley for his leadership. “I don't know how he does it. He has a family back in LA and he's writing scripts, and he's re-writing and he's being an amazing executive producer. But he’s not just a producer- I think his own experience as an actor helps too.”

The family bonds extend to the crew as well. A “Survivor’s Remorse” tradition is the Call Sheet Show, when O’Malley gathers the crew and conducts an interview with someone whose name is on the call sheet. “The Call Sheet Show recognizes that people’s lives are going by and they're making this show, and you should know them for the human beings they are and not just, ‘Oh that's the guy from the grip department’ or ‘What's her name from wardrobe...I don't know, I never talk to her.’ It's a way to unify people,” he explains.

The Business of Sports

Since its inception, “Survivor’s Remorse” has never been just about the sports side of a pro athlete’s life. “It's always been about the money and how it affects this family,” O’Malley explains.

One episode is completely focused on Cam’s contract negotiations with team owner, Jimmy Flaherty. The family wants to trust Reggie as he plays the game of negotiations to get Cam more money, and understanding how that business side of sports works is where O’Malley and the writers heavily relied on the show’s executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter. “LeBron and Maverick have been great about sharing with us the business side of sports,” says O’Malley.

“Survivor’s Remorse” was developed following conversations between Executive Producers Tom Werner and Maverick Carter. An Emmy-award winning producer of seminal hits including “The Crosby Show,” Werner is also Chairman of the Boston Red Sox. “Maverick and I have talked a lot about some of the challenges of being an athlete these days,” Werner explains. “In some ways athletes are American royalty. And these are generally people who are overwhelmed by some of the challenges of being stars, and the challenges of newfound wealth and the responsibilities of being a superstar athlete.”

Carter’s involvement has led some to assume that “Survivor’s Remorse” is based on his long- time business partner LeBron James’ experiences, but Werner disputes that. While LeBron is an Executive Producer on the series, “Cam is not based on LeBron, he’s not based on Maverick,” he says. “The character of Cam is fictional, but these are situations that I know from me tenure at the Red Sox.”

“We needed a story line,” Carter recalls. “And that’s when I started talking about survivor’s remorse as it related to me and my life. Having survivor’s remorse usually impacts people who survive something tragic, whether it’s a plane or a boat crash. But I have it as it related to my neighborhood and family- I fell like there are people that I’m not doing enough for, I’m not helping enough. They need opportunities, they can get things done if I provide them with some of the opportunities that I have, and I start to get down on myself sometimes that I’m not doing enough.”

This feeling is not uncommon among those lucky enough to make it out. “It’s not easy to be

successful if you grow up in a touch neighborhood,” Werner says. “Cam is feeling like there’s this tidal wave coming at him and he’s not completely prepared for it. And we’re telling his story in a comedic way. And the challenges are told in comedic stories.”

Season Two vs. Season Three

“This season the actors really inhabit their roles on a new level,” notes O’Malley. “They know their characters, they feel very comfortable. They’ve seen sixteen episodes of the show and how we produce it.”

“We’re starting to see storylines get deeper,” says RonReaco Lee (Reggie Vaughn). “We’re starting to get into the history and backstory of the characters.”

“This season we get to delve deep into emotional aspects of the Calloways that we haven’t delved into in seasons before,” explains Erica Ash, and she thinks fans will enjoy the ride.

And Cam “recognizes that he needs to explore more introspection into what he wants to be. What he’s gonna do with his life, what’s he’s gonna do with his fame and his money?” says Jessie T. Usher who plays the sports phenom. “Cam is a whole different person now. He’s still gracious, still very humble, still very loving, but he’s way more mature. He just gets the big picture.”

Each of the family members is in their own way growing, learning and changing. RonReaco Lee says about Reggie “He’s still growing, he’s still learning, he’s getting better, still dedicated to the Calloways, just trying to be a better manager, be a better husband.”

Reggie’s management of Cam’s career as well as the show’s success is summed up by Lee, “If you’re fortunate enough to get the second and third season like we have, you’re fortunate enough to mature your characters and grow them and have them stretch out in different areas.”