Given how impressive most of the most popular TV shows of all time are, some fans prefer to keep their minds in the fictional worlds rather than get to know what happened during the making process. To them, this brings the realization that everything isn't real. But for some viewers, knowing how exactly a show was created is very important.
Several documentaries have been released over the years, detailing the work and dedication that goes into creating masterpieces on TV. Each chooses to do so in a different way. Some delve into the takes and retakes while others focus on discussions and interviews involving everyone who contributed in one way or the other.
No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season Of Breaking Bad (2013) -AMC
Released in the same year as the final season of Breaking Bad, No Half Measures methodically examines all of Season 5's behind-the-scenes discussions, script reviews, cast interactions, and takes. Everyone gets to say goodbye too.
The title of the documentary is a spin on "Half Measures," one of the best ever Breaking Bad episodes and the beauty of it is not just in the acknowledgment that the show is ending but in how it grew on fans. Creator Vince Gilligan recalls the early days when the ratings were dismal. And in as much as the show is about chemistry, everyone acknowledges that nothing would have worked the way it did if it wasn't for the chemistry between cast members and the production team.
Celebrating The Sopranos (2021) - HBO
Restaurants like the Vesuvio and Stariale's Pork Store meant a lot to the mobsters in The Sopranos and they had the same impact on the actors too. That's why Celebrating The Sopranos sticks to the show's popular fine dining establishments. There are no narrations or scene shifts, just conversations between critics, Matt Zoller Seitz and Alan Sepinwall, and a few cast members.
The fine dining establishments used in the documentary trigger plenty of nostalgia. Most of the commonly known behind-the-scenes facts about The Sopranos are expounded on, and the fluid manner in which that happens suggests that friendly discussions like these are far much better than interviews. And to confirm that nothing is a lie, series creator David Chase passes by briefly. There are plenty of refreshing moments too, including cast members Federico Castelluccio (Furio) and Vincent Pastore (Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero) showing love to each other yet their characters never stood by each other on the show.
The Office Retrospective (2013) - NBC
Released by NBC right before the series finale, The Office Retrospective includes footage of actor auditions and takes viewers back to some favorite moments. There are eye-opening interviews from executive producers Paul Lieberstein, Greg Daniels, and Ben Silverman too.
The only unfortunate thing about this behind-the-scenes offering is Steve Carell's absence. Nevertheless, everyone else does a great job at covering the areas that the actor would have. Nothing is really unique but the documentary still manages to be entertaining, simply because the material it addresses is way too golden.
Unraveling The Mystery (2019) - CBS
Actors Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki are given the task of explaining all things Big Bang Theory in this short but fulfilling documentary. There is a closer look at Warner Bros.’ Stage 25, where most of the sitcom was filmed, as well as the divulgence of show secrets that even the staunchest of fans didn't know.
Unraveling The Mystery feels unique because it's just two cast members explaining things, rather than the traditional approach of using interviews and footage. By doing this, Cuoco and Galecki demonstrate that they weren't just there to get paid. They, and their colleagues, had a firm understanding of everything that made the sitcom work and that's why it became such a huge success.
Carpe Diem: The Final Season Of Sons of Anarchy - FX
The feature-length documentary takes fans on a slow journey through Season 7 of Sons of Anarchy. More focus is placed on the performances, emphasizing the fact that even though most of the actors never got Emmy nods, they were extremely dedicated to their craft.
Carpe Diem doesn't just hop from one revelation to the next. Each episode of the final season is dissected and examined in a detailed manner. And in as much as the documentary is about the final season, it doesn't restrict itself. It keeps referring to previous seasons, showing just how similar the creative process was.
Inside The Walking Dead (2014) - AMC
AMC's The Walking Dead became a huge success quite early, hence there was the need to make this 43-minute documentary right after Season 4. Like many others of its kind, Inside The Walking Dead covers behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and the production process.
The documentary is solid because it doesn't try to complicate itself. It simply packs in the details, hoping they will matter, and they do. Despite coming very early in the show's lengthy lifespan, Inside The Walking Dead still feels relevant. Nothing much has changed about how costumes are made or how table reads are done. Sticking to what works has done wonders for the AMC zombie drama.
Game Of Thrones: The Last Watch (2019) - HBO
The Last Watch aired a week after the Game of Thrones series finale and it has been hailed as much more satisfying than the final season, which drew the ire of both fans and critics. The documentary gives time to everyone involved in the making of the HBO fantasy drama.
From location scouts to production designers to extras, The Last Watch trains the camera on all kinds of professionals that often get ignored. There is the constant reminder of just how dedicated they are, some spending months away from families in order to get the job done. Fans also get to learn about producer Bernie Caulfield, who might not always have made headlines but made the biggest contribution to the show's success, proving the real work is done behind the curtains.
Money Heist: The Phenomenon (2020) - Netflix
Released after the 4th season, Money Heist: The Phenomenon (La casa de papel: El Fenómeno) tries to explain why the Netflix offering became such a huge success. Through a few scenes, it's revealed just how difficult it was to film certain scenes, mostly because obsessed fans wouldn't let the actors do their work in peace.
The documentary mostly stands out because of how it handles the exit of Alba Flores, who portrayed Nairobi. Watching her narrate how the show changed her life and how difficult the final day on set was, is guaranteed to trigger sobs. And rather than just focussing on the set, every minute of Money Heist: The Phenomenon serves as a constant reminder of why this is not only one of the best Spanish language shows on Netflix but one of the best shows of all time.
Tapping The Wire (2007) - HBO
The camera follows English presenter Charlie Brooker as he heads over to the streets of Baltimore and interviews both cast members and natives. Every location that was used for filming The Wire is showcased too.
What Tapping The Wire makes clear is just how accurate the HBO drama is. Watching the Baltimore natives confirm that the show mirrors the life on the streets is satisfying. Information comes in plenty because the few actors that get interviewed are all too eager to explain every little detail about how filming goes down.
Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2020) - Disney +
Producer John Fraveau brings the cast and crew to share their own experiences about the making of the Disney+ sci-fi series. There are numerous interviews, new footage, and plenty of roundtable chats.
Apart from giving insight, Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian constantly educates fans. There is a detailed explanation about the new technology that was used to replace the usual green screen in order to make everything feel a little more realistic. And since it's a docuseries, there is no hasty summarization. Every bit of information is given as many minutes as it deserves.