PREMISE
A one-hour dark comedy series inspired by true events, set in the early 1970s and narrated by Paul Gilliam as he looks back upon his early teen years when young manager Shep Gordon relocates the soon-to-be-famous Alice Cooper band to the haunted 19th century mob-owned estate next door. It's blue blood meets black eyeliner in this coming of age story meets rock biopic – a unique and magical world that has never left the narrator’s heart.
THE SERIES
Narrated by Paul Gilliam in the present day, our main protagonist is a misunderstood 13-year-old budding artist in a new neighborhood, just trying to fit in. The series recounts the events of his youth in the early 1970s when the Alice Cooper Band moves into a 60-room haunted estate next door to his family home in toney Greenwich CT.
Inspired by true events, “Billion Dollar Babies” is a unique coming-of-age story occurring in the middle of a critical crossroads in American culture. It is also a rock biopic about the early formative days of the iconic Alice Cooper Band, arguably the greatest theatrical rock act of all time, inspiring future artists from KISS and Marilyn Manson to even Lady Gaga. In this origin story, all the tracks the band creates and records in the episodes are actual Alice Cooper songs from the time when they lived and recorded at the grand estate, “Quiet Corner”. A dazzling remnant of the gilded age of Greenwich, the estate will act as an interesting visual character throughout the show, with its 80-foot ballroom, its own chapel, a network of secret tunnels.
“I would rather be misunderstood than lose my independence.” – Clyde Fitch
(Cont’d)
“Quiet Corner” even has its own ghost, the manor’s former owner (and builder) Clyde Fitch, who a century earlier conquered American Broadway theatre and now haunts the ballroom. Clyde’s untimely death 80 years prior was during the peak of his fame, and his path of acceptance remains unfulfilled. Clyde reveals himself to Alice (and eventually Paul), providing sage advice on stagecraft to Alice, helping the band refine their act.
Outside the front gates is a world of old money families, with neighbors who struggle to understand how this new “family” of degenerates could possibly afford to live next door. It follows the course of acceptance, who is accepted, and the American culture of success and how it's defined.
In our show, Paul unsuccessfully seeks the approval of his parents – and as his new relationship with the band grows, their unconditional acceptance of him inspires him to find his own artistic voice, which conflicts with his family's expectations.
It is also a show about manager Shep Gordon and his brilliant strategies to try to make superstars of the band, by any means necessary. The band has no idea how Shep managed to get them into this new place – which is owned by the mob – as he deftly avoids certain death with each new plan.
"If I do my job perfectly, I will probably kill you..." – Shep Gordon
( Cont’d)
Shep knows that the band needs to always embody their dangerous public persona in order to sell records.
But, as Shep famously says, “…if I do my job perfectly, I will probably kill you…”
Shep’s family is the band, a group of school friends chasing the American dream. Cindy (the band’s costume designer) and Charlie (the man responsible for making the guillotines and lights) are also part of the circle.
The reluctant mother hen on the side is Jean, the caretaker who looks after the estate for Mr. Galano. In a job she could not refuse, she is in charge of maintaining order within the estate for what she sees as a family of misfits. It is her predicament and her generosity that allows the young Paul access to this magical world next door to him.
"There goes our beloved, civilized society." – Mr. Nelson “Jasper” Cross III (neighbor and responsible citizen )
(Cont’d)
Shock rock clashes with blue blood, in a world set in the heady atmosphere of the early 70s music scene of New York (think CBGB, Max’s Kansas City, NY Dolls, etc). Their move to “Quiet Corner”, and its proximity to NYC, are the catalysts which inspire the band to new levels of success, setting concert attendance records that surpass even The Rolling Stones to this day.
Paul recalls his first encounter with the band, peering through the door and watching them rehearse in the mirrored ballroom – Dennis is riffing the bassline for what will become their hit “Killer”. As Alice tries to read the lyrics from a small piece of paper, Neal sneaks up behind Paul, and startles him by inviting him into the ballroom to watch. As Alice looks over at Paul and laughs at Neal’s prank, Paul feels like he is part of the band. A cherished memory that has never left him.
The show is about fear of change, the bonds of friendship, the pursuit of success, and the price of fame – all set on a foundation based on the power of music, and the ability of art to change lives.
“Billion Dollar Babies” is quirky, bizarre and funny, very much like the band's public persona – which is directly at odds with who they really are. It is filled with these conflicts and contradictions. As Paul finds out early on, these misunderstood neighbors who are viewed as “villains” are not only the most sincere family around, but also the most accepting. At the same time the show has incredible warmth. Through this lens, Paul sees that this new family is actually closer and more functional than his own family, and the rest of this eccentric and wealthy neighborhood.
"Just take care of my estate ”" – Mr. G
THE WORLD
It is a time of cultural revolution, with guillotines and snakes, mobsters, Wasps, a flamboyant gay ghost, and “Supermensch” Shep Gordon – whose brilliant strategies make superstars of these outcast kids from Phoenix, and turn him into a living legend.
It’s an eclectic world of vastly different families, chasing their own version of the American dream. This is all set to the soundtrack of timeless Alice Cooper music that influences pop culture to this day. And most of it was made right next door to Paul, as he listened in.
Having just arrived in this gilded world of Greenwich, the landscape of sprawling estates and tight-knit culture is conflicting to Paul and his artistic sensibilities. Paul’s inspirational neighbors teach him to be himself rather than what others might mold him into.
The music also reflects this romantic and timeless moment – one listen to the song “Mary Ann” on Billion Dollar Babies, with the echo of the “Quiet Corner” ballroom and its old piano, says it all.
A time in America that is gone, but not forgotten.
TONE
Dramedy with music. Visually compelling, with the mysterious manor becoming almost a “live” presence in the show, alongside the opulent beauty of Greenwich CT, and the grit of New York City.
We follow the band’s rock and roll exploits, a ghost from a bygone era (also using flashbacks), and the eccentric blue blooded neighbors in this wealthy enclave, all seen through the perspective of a talented but confused teen who discovers his true identity with the help of the unique group of artists living next door.
The appeal of the show crosses generational boundaries while still having a fresh feel, telling a story that our parents and even our grandparents can relate to, during a time when music doesn’t just influence pop culture – music defines pop culture.
The connective tissue of the story is the idea that everyone – Paul, Alice, and Clyde – is learning the concept of acceptance. The bed they made, and the world they wanted and got – or didn’t get.
There is always a sense of dark humor coupled with sweet moments, showing that somehow they are all connected. The strong visual style will further enhance the narrative.
THE PILOT
We meet Paul Gilliam, 13, as he’s getting beaten up by the twin brother bullies in his new neighborhood of Greenwich CT. He’s sketching the beautiful yet foreboding manor called “Quiet Corner,” next door to his home. The manor will become a main character in the story.
It’s do-or-die for the Alice Cooper Band, who are floundering in Detroit. Their quick-witted manager Shep Gordon somehow manages to rent the sprawling manor from a high-class gangster in Greenwich in order to house the band nearer to NYC, the epicenter of the music scene in 1971. This new move may provide some much-needed inspiration and publicity, yet also implies that the stakes are much higher than the guys realize.
The band’s arrival causes a frenzy of blue-blood backlash, as the wealthy locals say not only “there goes the neighborhood,” but “there goes our entire American civilization.”
A budding artist in a family of businessmen, Paul is so fascinated by his strange new neighbors that he continuously sneaks onto the mysterious grounds of the haunted manor, craving acceptance and wanting to get a glimpse into their world – which is unique, to say the least.
Clyde Fitch, the gay, flamboyant, bon vivant playwright from the 1900’s who built the house in 1903 from the proceeds of his prolific Broadway career, haunts “Quiet Corner.” He’s not too happy with his new guests. Alice will come face to face with him at the end of the pilot.
Mr. G, who makes a dubious deal with Shep to rent the place, thinks Alice Cooper is a single lady from Michigan, who might be a folk singer. By the time he finds out it’s a cross-dressing, makeup wearing shock-rock band, it’s too late. Though he lets Shep know who’s responsible if anything bad should happen.
And it will…
"Don’t tar the walls, boys! ” – Jean, in response to the band’s new “soundproofing " idea for the ballroom.
The show is about fear of change, the bonds of friendship, the pursuit of success, and the price of fame – all set on a foundation based on the power of music, and the ability of art to change lives.
"“When we get together and rehearse, which is always living with each other, we always talk about what would make it better, what would mean more, what would say more. So we're always improving and growing.”
– Alice Cooper
“It’s like the Alice Cooper band in 1971…bizarre & cool.”
- Shep Gordon, May 2019 referring to the show concept.