1980s 'Shogun' Director Calls Out New FX Show

TV & Film

Feb 20

In a strange move, director Jerry London has chosen to strongly critique the FX adaptation of Shogun. London directed an Emmy-award winning adaptation of Shogun for NBC in 1980, and is well known for his work on major TV shows of decades past, such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Brady Bunch, and The Bob Newhart Show.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, London outlines that he dislikes the new version because he feels it is not entertaining for an American audience as it is too technical. He believes that its focus on the role of shogun and the politics of the position as opposed to the romance and relationship between John Blackthorne and Mariko, which he focused on in his version, make the show unable to be understood by viewers. He backs up his claim by stating that others he’s spoken to agree with his assessment and noting he wishes his version had been talked about more during the buzz about the new adaptation.

London’s opinion is definitely not held by many critics and awards shows, as Shogun received 14 Emmy nominations, with a win for best limited series and a Golden Globe for Best Television Drama, among many other accolades. London explains this success by stating his belief that there was no competition against Shogun. Time will tell if this assessment holds water when the planned second season of Shogun hits TV screens sometime in the next few years.

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