| Six Feet Under | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Alan Ball |
| Showrunner | Alan Ball |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Thomas Newman |
| Composer | Richard Marvin |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 63(list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 46–72 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | June 3, 2001 (2001-06-03) – August 21, 2005 (2005-08-21) |
Six Feet Under is an Americandrama television series created and produced byAlan Ball for the television networkHBO. It premiered on June 3, 2001, and ended on August 21, 2005, afterfive seasons consisting of 63 episodes.
The show follows the Fisher family, who run afuneral home inLos Angeles, along with their friends and lovers. It starsPeter Krause,Michael C. Hall,Frances Conroy,Lauren Ambrose,Freddy Rodriguez,Mathew St. Patrick, andRachel Griffiths. It was produced by Actual Size Films and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studio, and was shot on location in Los Angeles and in Hollywood studios.
Six Feet Under received acclaim, particularly for its writing and acting, and drew high ratings. It is regarded as one of thegreatest television series of all time. The series finale, "Everyone's Waiting", has also been described as one of the greatest in television. Its awards include nineEmmy Awards, threeScreen Actors Guild Awards, threeGolden Globe Awards and aPeabody Award.
The show stars Peter Krause asNate Fisher, whosefuneral director father (Richard Jenkins) dies and bequeaths ownership of the Fisher & Sonsfuneral home to Nate and his other sonDavid (Michael C. Hall). The Fisher clan also includes widowRuth Fisher (Frances Conroy) and daughterClaire Fisher (Lauren Ambrose). Other regulars includemorticianFederico Diaz (Freddy Rodriguez), Nate's on-again/off-again girlfriendBrenda Chenowith (Rachel Griffiths), and David's long-term boyfriendKeith Charles (Mathew St. Patrick).
On one level, the show is a conventional family drama, dealing with such issues as interpersonal relationships, sex, masculine homosexuality, dysfunction, infidelity, personal growth, and religion. At the same time, it is distinguished by its focus on the topic of death, which it explores on personal, religious, and philosophical levels. Most episodes begin with a death, the cause of which ranges from heart attack to murder to accidental death orsudden infant death syndrome. That death usually sets the thematic tone for each episode, allowing the characters to reflect on their current fortunes and misfortunes in a way that is illuminated by the death and its aftermath.
A recurring plot device consists of a character having an imaginary conversation with the deceased; for example, Nate, David, and Federico sometimes "converse" with the deceased at the beginning of the episode, while the corpse is being embalmed, or during funeral planning or the funeral itself. Sometimes, the characters converse with other deceased characters, most notably Nathaniel Fisher Sr. The show's creator Alan Ball said this represents the living characters' internal dialogues expressed in the form of external conversations.[7]
Although overall plots and characters were created by Alan Ball, reports conflict on how the series was conceived. In one instance, Ball stated that he came up with the premise of the show after the deaths of his sister and father. However, in an interview on the series' DVD collection,[8] he intimated that HBO entertainment president Carolyn Strauss had proposed the idea to him. In a copyright infringement lawsuit,[9] screenwriter Gwen O'Donnell asserted that she was the original source of the idea that later passed through Strauss to Ball; theU.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, proceeding on the assumption that this assertion was true, rejected her claim.
Airing on a premium cable network allowed the series to explore darker themes than would have been possible on other networks. Ball stated in an interview:[10]
When I went to HBO and they had read my first draft and Carolyn Strauss said, 'You know, this is really, really good. I love these characters, I love these situations, but it feels a little safe. Could you just make it just a little more fucked up?' which is not a note that you get in Hollywood very often. And I thought, 'Wow!' And that gave me free range to go a little deeper, go a little darker, go a little more complicated.
The show focuses on human mortality, the symbiotic nature of life and death feeding off each other, the death industry, and the lives of those who deal with it on a daily basis. When discussing the concept of the show, Ball elaborated on the foremost questions the show's pilot targeted:[8]
Who are these people who are funeral directors that we hire to face death for us? What does that do to their own lives – to grow up in a home where there are dead bodies in the basement, to be a child and walk in on your father with a body lying on a table opened up and him working on it? What does that do to you?
Six Feet Under introduces the Fisher family as the basis on which to explore these questions. Throughout its five-season, 63-episode run, major characters experience crises that are in direct relation to their environment and the grief they have experienced. Ball again relates these experiences, as well as the choice of the series' title, to the persistent subtext of the program:[11]
Six Feet Under refers not only to being buried as a dead body is buried, but [also] to primal emotions and feelings running under the surface. When one is surrounded by death – to counterbalance that, there needs to be a certain intensity of experience, of needing to escape. It's Nate with his womanizing – it's Claire and her sexual experimentation – it's Brenda's sexual compulsiveness – it's David having sex with a male hooker in public – it's Ruth having several affairs – it's the life force trying to push up through all of that suffering and grief and depression.
Cultural criticSally Munt commented: "one might risk saying [the show] has an uncanny, or queer rendition of class positions and relations".[12]New York magazine opined that the show "carefully avoided moralism" but there were times where it "felt like a message" that "death has a terrible timing" and it could also be a "karmic gift" for some.[13] Ball refuted this claim by asserting that there was no message in the story but only a recognition that death comes in the middle of "messy things" and does not wait for people to sort out their lives.[13]
Exteriors for the Fisher home were shot at 2302 West 25th Street and the intersection of Arlington Avenue, in theWest Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles.[14]
Creator Alan Ball also served as executive producer andshowrunner for the entire series run.Robert Greenblatt and David Janollari executive produced the series, as the Greenblatt Janollari Studio was one of the production companies. The other producers were Lori Jo Nemhauser and Robert Del Valle.[15]
The writing staff included Ball, who wrote nine episodes over the series run, including the pilot episode and the series finale. Writers who were on staff for the entire series run includedRick Cleveland, who wrote eight episodes and became an executive producer in the fifth season;Kate Robin, who wrote eight episodes and became a supervising producer in the fifth season; andBruce Eric Kaplan, who wrote seven episodes and became an executive producer in the fourth season. Christian Williams was just on staff for the first season, writing two episodes. Both Laurence Andries andChristian Taylor wrote three episodes each during their run on the series for the first two seasons, and they also served as producers.Scott Buck andJoey Soloway joined in the second season, staying on staff for the rest of the series, and each wrote seven episodes. Buck became a co-executive producer in the fourth season, and Soloway became a co-executive producer in the fifth season. The last set of writers to join the staff wereCraig Wright andNancy Oliver in the third season. Wright wrote six episodes and became a producer in the fifth season and Oliver wrote five episodes and became a co-producer in the fifth season.[15]
Ball also directed the most episodes, directing the pilot and each of the season finales.Dan Attias also directed six episodes, from seasons two to five.Kathy Bates (who also playedBettina on the series),Michael Cuesta,Rodrigo García, andJeremy Podeswa each directed five episodes.Michael Engler,Daniel Minahan, andAlan Poul (who also served as an executive producer for the series) each directed four episodes.Miguel Arteta directed three episodes andNicole Holofcener directed two episodes. Single-episode directors includedPeter Care, Alan Caso,Lisa Cholodenko,Allen Coulter,Adam Davidson,Mary Harron,Joshua Marston,Jim McBride,Karen Moncrieff,John Patterson,Matt Shakman,Alan Taylor,Rose Troche, andPeter Webber.[15]
The series' main theme, written by composerThomas Newman, won a 2002 Emmy Award forOutstanding Main Title Theme Music and two Grammy Awards in 2003 forBest Instrumental Composition andBest Instrumental Arrangement.
The production sound from seasons three through five was mixed byBo Harwood, and was nominated in 2004 for aCinema Audio Society Award.
Seasons two through five featured a promotional teaser trailer prior to the premiere of that season. The songs featured in each season's trailer were "Heaven" byLamb for season two; "A Rush of Blood to the Head" byColdplay for season three; "Feeling Good" byNina Simone for season four; and "Breathe Me" bySia for season five, which is also used for montage in the series finale. All these songs are included in either of two soundtracks for the show.
The episode recaps for the first two seasons feature the song "Nothing Lies Still Long" byPell Mell. The episode previews for the first and fifth seasons feature theSix Feet Under title theme, while the other seasons feature theRae & Christian remix version of the title theme.
Music supervision for the entire run of the series was provided byGary Calamar and Thomas Golubic, who were also credited as producers for the two soundtrack albums.
| Bernard Asa Chenowith | Margaret Chenowith | Nathaniel Fisher, Sr.† | Ruth Fisher | George Sibley | Unnamed prior wife | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Billy Chenowith | Brenda Chenowith | Nate Fisher | Lisa Kimmel Fisher | Claire Fisher | David Fisher | Keith Charles | Maggie Sibley | Brian Sibley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Willa Fisher Chenowith | Maya Kimmel Fisher | Anthony Charles-Fisher | Durrell Charles-Fisher | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | Average viewers (in millions) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | ||||
| 1 | 13 | June 3, 2001 (2001-06-03) | August 19, 2001 (2001-08-19) | 5.3[16] | |
| 2 | 13 | March 3, 2002 (2002-03-03) | June 2, 2002 (2002-06-02) | 5.6[17] | |
| 3 | 13 | March 2, 2003 (2003-03-02) | June 1, 2003 (2003-06-01) | 4.7[18] | |
| 4 | 12 | June 13, 2004 (2004-06-13) | September 12, 2004 (2004-09-12) | 3.7[19] | |
| 5 | 12 | June 6, 2005 (2005-06-06) | August 21, 2005 (2005-08-21) | 2.5[19] | |
Six Feet Under received widespread acclaim, particularly for its writing and acting. It is widely regarded as one of thegreatest television series of all time, included on best-of lists byTime,[20]The Guardian,[21] andEmpire.[22] Theshow's finale has also been described as one of the greatest television series finales.[23][24][25][26][27][28] TheWriters Guild of America ranked it #18 on their list of the 101 Best Written TV Series.[29]
Six Feet Under received critical acclaim for most of its run, with the exception of the fourth season, which received more mixed reviews. The first season holds a rating of 74 out of 100 atMetacritic based on 23 reviews.[30] Early reviews of the series were positive, prior to the screening of the pilot episode; Steve Oxman ofVariety stated, "Six Feet Under is a smart, brooding, fanciful character-driven ensemble piece about a family in the funeral biz."[31] Following the series premiere, Barry Garron ofThe Hollywood Reporter commented that the series' "examination of family life through the prism of a mortuary business, combines sardonic humor with poignant drama and comes up with a unique tone and style, in itself quite an accomplishment for any TV series. It is fearless in its approach to storytelling and, far more often than not, succeeds in the risks it takes" and "there is much to admire about this series, including top-notch performances, artful direction and creative storytelling that employs various techniques, including dream sequences and parody commercials. Best of all, though, is Ball's introspection and the insight he provides about society, the funeral industry, and family relationships."[32]
Bill Carter ofThe New York Times wrote, "Six Feet Under certainly got enthusiastic reviews, almost universally glowing notices about the rich characterizations and quirky humor shaped by the show's celebrated creator, Alan Ball, the Academy Award-winning writer of the filmAmerican Beauty."[33] In an early response from HBO executiveChris Albrecht, he announced in regards to the viewers, that they are "totally thrilled with the series."[33]
OnRotten Tomatoes, the first season has a 90% approval rating with an average score of 8/10 based on 40 reviews, with a critical consensus of, "Six Feet Under's unusual setting provides a perfect backdrop for the macabre meditations on mortality made by its brilliant, brooding cast."[34] The second season has a 79% approval rating with an average score of 9.3/10 based on 14 reviews, with a critical consensus of, "Six Feet Under's deliberately paced second season is less endearing than the first, but the engaging ensemble remain reason enough to watch."[35] The third season has a 90% approval rating with an average score of 7.6/10 based on 20 reviews, with a critical consensus of, "Six Feet Under's third season dials down the comedy in favor of creepier narratives – a challenge its cast is more than up to."[36] The fourth season has a 50% approval rating with an average score of 5.6/10 based on 10 reviews, with a critical consensus of, "Six Feet Under overreaches in its fourth season, with twists and story arcs that feel more contrived than compelling, though its willingness to venture boldly into the dark also proves occasionally exhilarating."[37] The fifth season has a 97% approval rating with an average score of 8.9/10 based on 35 reviews, with a critical consensus of, "Six Feet Under offers a fitting end for the Fishers by concluding the way it began: an unexpectedly beautiful rumination on life, death and grief."[38]
The series finale is considered one of the greatest endings in television history. In a 2015 interview with Alan Ball, Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, and Lauren Ambrose forThe Hollywood Reporter, to mark ten years since the show's conclusion, they described it as the "finale that would not die". Megan Vick ofThe Hollywood Reporter said, "The idea of flashing forward to depict how each member of the Fishers and their loved ones would pass on seemed revolutionary in 2005, but Ball – who created the series and would write and direct its final episode – uses another word for it – inevitable."[39]
| Season | Episodes | Premiered | Ended | Average Viewers (in millions) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Viewers (in millions) | Date | Viewers (in millions) | |||
| 1 | 13 | June 3, 2001 | 4.97[40] | August 19, 2001 | 7.06[16] | 5.3[16] |
| 2 | 13 | March 3, 2002 | 6.24[41] | June 2, 2002 | 5.49[42] | 5.6[43] |
| 3 | 13 | March 2, 2003 | 5.09[44] | June 1, 2003 | 5.78[45] | 4.7[46] |
| 4 | 12 | June 13, 2004 | 4.20[47] | September 12, 2004 | 3.73[48] | 3.7[19] |
| 5 | 12 | June 6, 2005 | 2.62[49] | August 21, 2005 | 3.89[19] | 2.5[19] |
At the 2002Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received 23 nominations for its first two seasons, including a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. Series creatorAlan Ball won for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for the pilot episode andPatricia Clarkson won for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. The rest of the ensemble cast, including Michael C. Hall, Peter Krause, Frances Conroy, Rachel Griffiths, Freddy Rodriguez, and Lauren Ambrose all received acting nominations. Guest actorsLili Taylor and Illeana Douglas received nominations in the guest-acting category. The series received 16 nominations at the 2003 Primetime Emmy Awards for its third season, including a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. Krause, Conroy, Ambrose, Griffiths,James Cromwell, andKathy Bates all received acting nominations.Alan Poul was nominated for directing for the episode "Nobody Sleeps", andCraig Wright was nominated for writing for the episode "Twilight". The series received five nominations at the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards for its fourth season, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Frances Conroy. The series received nine nominations at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards for its fifth and final season. Patricia Clarkson won for the second time for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and Krause, Conroy, andJoanna Cassidy received acting nominations. Ball was nominated for writing and directing for the series finale episode "Everyone's Waiting".[50]
For theGolden Globe Awards, the series won for Best Drama Series in 2001, and received nominations in 2002 and 2003. Peter Krause was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2001 and 2002. Rachel Griffiths won for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or TV Film in 2001, and received a nomination in 2002 in the Lead Actress category. Frances Conroy won for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2003.[51]
For theScreen Actors Guild Awards, the cast won for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2002 and 2003, and received nominations in 2001, 2004, and 2005. Peter Krause was nominated for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series in 2001 and 2003. Frances Conroy won for Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series in 2003.
The series won aPeabody Award for general excellence in 2002 "for its unsettling yet powerfully humane explorations of life and death".[52]
The first season was released in aVHS box set.[53] All five seasons are available onDVD in individual box sets and in a collected volume.[54]
| Season | Release date | Additional information | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||
| 1 | February 4, 2003[55] | July 7, 2003[56] | February 11, 2004[57] |
|
| 2 | July 6, 2004[58] | June 21, 2004[59] | July 14, 2004[60] |
|
| 3 | May 17, 2005[61] | April 4, 2005[62] | May 11, 2005[63] |
|
| 4 | August 23, 2005[64] | September 5, 2005[65] | November 16, 2005[66] |
|
| 5 | March 28, 2006[67] | April 10, 2006[68] | October 4, 2006[69] |
|
| 1–5 | November 14, 2006[70][71] | April 10, 2006[72] | October 31, 2007[73] |
|
Two soundtrack albums, featuring music that had appeared in the series, were released:
The complete series is available from various streaming sites includingMax,[76]Amazon Video,[77]Disney+ Hotstar.[78] In July 2023, it was announced that the series would be added toNetflix in the United States as part of a co-exclusive deal between Netflix andWarner Bros. Discovery.[79]
Sometimes this dark HBO tragicomedy is about the flip side of death: how fragile, unpredictable and chaotic life is. The center barely holds, then doesn't.
From the woman so bored by her husband that she kills him with a frying pan, to the middle-aged divorcée decapitated by a traffic light, to a woman crushed by ice falling from an airplane, there are some artful death scenes here. Many of them are the definition of tragicomedy.
