Telly Time: Pam & Tommy

Miniseries based on true events. No spoilers.

Summary

Are celebrity sex videos published without consent just fun for the viewer? What damage is there to the celebrity depicted in the video? This series will bring some perspective to these questions, and I think cause each viewer to rethink how they think about them.

For those not quite as old as me, you may not know that Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson were famous as a couple before this next thing happened. They made a videotape of explicit sex acts. The tape was stolen and then viewed by everyone, who wanted to see it. The story of how that happened, why it happened and all that followed is documented in this limited series.

Pamela Anderson was famous for her role in a TV show, “Bay Watch.” She appeared in a swimsuit as a beach lifeguard that made her a sex symbol and poster pinup. When the tape became public, she was plunged into a media storm that was unexpected and seriously damaging to her, personally and professionally.

The damage and devastation to Anderson is the focus of this well-made series. Anderson’s husband, Tommy Lee, was the well-known drummer of the rock group, Motley Crue. He was a celebrity himself. His depiction in the stolen video invaded his privacy and damaged his reputation, as well.

The first two episodes set up the crime, the break-in of their home and theft of the tape. Beginning in episode 3, the full impact of the theft by a contractor seeking revenge, is slowly developed. I found myself binge-watching from this point on. And, as the series moves toward its ending, it becomes a thriller. The desire for revenge and profit plays against the humiliation of two famous people, shown in their most intimate moments.

At the end, I reflected on how celebrities can pay a huge price for their status in our culture. If a normal person had this same crime perpetrated on them, of course, there would be damage. For a celebrity, that damage can be multiplied by thousands, even millions.

Cast

The cast delivers some great performances, earning a number of Emmy nominations. Lily James (“Downton Abbey” and “The Dig”) plays Pamela Anderson. Her portrayal depicts the sex symbol's innocence and a desire to succeed in show business. Her status as a sex symbol, featured in a private video made public, would get in the way of her profession goals. Sebastian Stan (“The 355”) plays famed Motley Crue drummer, Tommy Lee. Stan captures the bad boy persona of the often-in-trouble rock star. Seth Rogen, as Rand Gautier, plays the thief and mastermind of the exploitation of the tape, showing the comical, yet disgusting, actions of the instigator of all this trouble. Nick Offerman (“Parks & Recreation” and “Devs”) is Gautier’s partner. He provides a counterpoint to Rogan. The two veteran actors add depth to the teleplay as they weave a scheme to make money off the stolen tape.

Recommendation

5 of 5, Must See. The series has earned 10 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. Acting nominations go to James, Stan and Rogen.

Pam & Tommy, 8 episodes, Hulu, 2022.