Paul Gilliam reflects back on the early 1970s, when he was a young teen and an unusual new family moves into the haunted 60-room estate next door, changing his life forever.  He's inspired to find his own artistic voice through his life-altering friendship with these unique neighbors, who throw this wealthy Connecticut enclave into a cultural revolution.  It's blue blood meets black eyeliner in this coming of age story meets rock biopic.

Everything in this story is true, and most of it really happened...and the family next door was Alice Cooper

PREMISE

A 10 episode, one-hour dark comedy with timeless music, set in the early 1970s. Narrated by an adult Paul Gilliam as he looks back upon his early teen years, when the soon-to-be-famous Alice Cooper band moves into the haunted 19th century estate next door. With comedic tones and heartfelt drama, the show presents a magical world that has never left the narrator's heart. It's blue blood meets black eyeliner in this coming of age story meets rock biopic, where being misunderstood has never been so inspirational.

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. 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, “Quiet Corner” will act as an interesting visual character throughout the show, with its 80-foot ballroom, its own chapel, a network of secret tunnels, and even its own ghost.

(Cont’d)

Outside the front gates is a world of old money, with neighbors who struggle to understand how these degenerates could possibly afford to live next door. It follows the course of acceptance, who is accepted, and the American culture of success and money.

Paul unsuccessfully seeks the love and approval of his family. We follow Paul’s relationship with the band, and how their unconditional acceptance of him inspires him to find his own artistic voice, which conflicts with his family’s expectations.

Through Paul’s recollections, we experience a world set in the heady atmosphere of the early 70s music scene of New York (think CBGB, Max’s Kansas City, The 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 became 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 memory that has never left him.

( Cont’d)

The story includes the ghost of 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.

(Cont’d)

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.

This show is quirky, bizarre and funny, very much like the band's public persona. At the same time it has incredible warmth. It is also filled with 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. 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 neighborhood.

THE WORLD

There are no high-speed car chases or gunfights in “Billion Dollar Babies”. But there are guillotines and snakes, mobsters in tight gabardine pants, a flamboyant gay ghost, and a personal manager Shep Gordon – whose brilliant strategies make superstars of the band, 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 unique world 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.

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, 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.