Letterboxd Limited. Initially intended to be a weight loss documentary, what is captured instead is a raw and intimate portrait of a family dealing with addiction, a wife coming to terms with her inability to change the person she loves, and a tragically flawed comedian breaking down during one of the last years of his life.In 2015, filmmaker Cat Rhinehart set out to make a weight loss documentary on the beloved comedian Ralphie May. In 2005, he was the only white comedian on The Big Black Comedy Show, which also featured Mo'Nique, Rodman, and Vince Morris. Joshua Pantalleresco She is primarily known for being married to comedian, Ralphie May. (2019). To make matters worse, May files for divorce twice before his death as well, underscoring the toll the situation at hand takes on his and Turners marriage. Filmmaker Cat Rhinehart sets out to make a weight loss documentary on the beloved comedian Ralphie May, who is planning on having lap band surgery during the summer. Laura weighs in on the legalities of what Lahna experienced, sharing her expertise on the subject. Filmmaker Cat Rhinehart spends one year closely following comedian Ralphie May, leading up to his planned weight loss surgery. Best. Wayne Hall, EDITORIAL STAFF What is your favorite part of the film? . Comedy. What are you hoping to accomplish with the release of this film? Getting Started | Contributor Zone . Theres a separate conversation to be had about the mysogyny Turner faces in the comedy community in moments here, and its needed. I had a few followup questions for Lahna Turner, and she was nice enough to let me run them by her. Mar 27, 2019 02:21. . Today is Wednesday and it's a big day we would love for you to take a few minutes and listen to our podcast. Melanie Griffith Says Theres Endless Possibilities After. 8. Ralphie eventually files for divorce leaving Lahna to deal with the aftermath of trying to keep the family together and having her children in a healthy environment. [15][14] The couple filed for divorce in October 2015 and sought joint custody of their children, but their separation could never be finalized. Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers. BlackMetalSteve 9 mo. There towards the end of his life his material was not nearly as good. We had had the experience of being followed around with manipulative producers with an agenda and I wanted no part of that, but Ralphie had performed very well on celebrity fit club and I felt like the pressure of the camera would be helpful. I dont want the kids to see the film until they are much older. After a particularly bad fight with his wife, Lahna takes the children and flies back to their Los Angeles home. But May looks positively exhausted through the new documentary Whats Eating Ralphie May? with the laughs growing lesser and lesser as reality begins to set in. Ralphies wife, fellow comedianLahna Turner, slowly begins to realize her husband isnt going to change, and no amount of pressure from her, nor past health scares hes had, can compel Ralphie to do so. When a Comedy Documentary Turns Tragic | NICKSAV Film & Music SHOW When a Comedy Documentary Turns Tragic December 10, 2019 By nsavides What's Eating Ralphie May won Best of the Fest at Nashville Film Festival and Documentary of the Year at Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival. Cat had started working on a version of the film that was about the original premise of being a weightless documentary that ended in him filing for divorce. But the song is funny and Ralphie would have told you "if you can't take a joke take . It was shot while Ralphie was alive and documented the very difficult time that transpiredbefore and after he passed. Lahna's shocking divorce story is documented in the forthcoming film "Whats Eating Ralphie May. For the latest news about the film visitwww.WhatsEatingRalphieMay.comand to educate yourself about divorce tap here. He wasnt known for being someone overtly serious with any of his material. (February 2021) Lahna Turner is a stand up comedian and actress. The documentary "What's Eating Ralphie May?" was initially intended to be a film about Ralphie's weight-loss journey, but instead captured a profoundly intimate story about the end of his life and my co-dependency issues. He was there to make them laugh. The films devastation creeps in like a shadow, as Turner, as devoted a partner as someone could have, grapples with her husbands dietary and sleeping habits, and the time hes spending away from her and their children. Why have you decided to release this film now, after Ralphies death? Directed byAnthony Pierce. When you shop through our picks, we may earn a commission. Ralphie had always wanted to do reality TV and I was against that. Francis Sky FilmmakerCat Rhinehartsets out to make a weight loss documentary on the beloved comedianRalphie May, who is planning on having lap band surgery during the summer. He died while they were in the middle of getting divorced, and it was never finalized. I dont think there has been a film like this made about any other celebrity. StarringRalphie May Billy Wayne Davis Danielle Stewart Chuck Roy. It's a different set. Filmmaker Cat Rhinehart spends one year closely following comedian Ralphie May, leading up to his planned weight loss surgery. Miguel Ortiz What is the inspiration behind the documentary? TMDb Ralphies wife and loved ones are dealt a devastating blow when Ralphie decides not to have his scheduled weight-loss surgery. Giovanni Aria according to court docs. [16], May struggled with obesity throughout his life. Unfortunately, Ralphie passed away and Cat had to do a re-edit so the film has two sad endings the first one where Ralphie lost his marriage and then the second ending in which he lost his life. We need them to pace us for our inevitable conclusion. MS.KITTYKAT If so, how do you think they will react to seeing theirparents in this light? He made you laugh. But on a bright note something about Ralphie that not many people know is that he was a Boy Scout. What's Eating Ralphie May? As a fat man and former comedian I know I relate with his struggles, sidenote: the day he passed away I was diagnosed with diabetes. Seeing our struggle makes me very sad., but if I had to say my favorite part would be some of the scenes with the kids and how adorable they are. Ralphie May looks tired. Ralphie May was an actor and stand-up comedian who performed on many television shows and specials and toured extensively across the United States and worldwide. Did you have a part in thenarrative? He hobnobs with fans before and after shows, signs merchandise and takes any photo asked of him with a friendly smile. Richard Vasseur BUREAU CHIEF CANADA [4][17] After a bout with viral pneumonia on a cruise in October 2011, May lost 40 pounds. Intimately observed and skillfully paced. OverEasy does not endorse or recommend any particular lawyer, or any other professional, that is listed in the index. [4] May explained, "The joke that he liked the best was talking about the drummer (Rick Allen) from Def Leppard. I can see why Dr. Drew Pinksky of Celebrity Rehab fame is one of the producers on this. A compromise is made, and a personal trainer is sent on the road with Ralphie during his nation-wide tour in the hopes to help the comedian lose weight in lieu of surgery. He shared, "It was a hard life growing up. [citation needed], In 2003, May was chosen to participate in the first season of Last Comic Standing. Phil Latter, REVIEWERS 5. Who is this documentary for? Lahna Turner claims Ralphie's. The film is really hard for me to watch. If you want to get an e-mail updates on the documentary you can sign up on whatseatingralphiemay.com Everything has been slowed down during covid but it's a really good film and will be coming out eventually. Alex Wright Mark Davis It was my idea to start filming. What are you hoping to accomplish with the release of this film? This is "What's Eating Ralphie May | ATLFF20" by Atlanta Film Society on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. His Facebook bio also references his grandmother. I believe this film will open Ralphie to an entirely new audience. Follow our daily streaming news, in-depth reviews on streaming services & devices, and use our tools to find where your favorite content is streaming. There are moments of beauty like this woven throughout, when life slows down just a bit and we get a glimpse of the world for those involved when its not being shattered. More at Ralph Duren May [1] (February 17, 1972 - October 6, 2017) was an American stand-up comedian and actor, known for his extensive touring and comedy specials on multiple media platforms. Buzz Dixon [A]. Stand up comic Lahna Turner joins us today to speak about life after the death of her estranged husband, comedian Ralphie May. 3. i.e. [17] The following month, he suffered a nearly-fatal pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot from his leg became lodged in an artery. Click here to login or here to sign up. Not that I'm prejudiced against handicapped people, it's just the fact that if I applauded, it was insulting to him, like "Ha! Discussion of the family featured in Sunday 9/20s Modern Love section of The New York Times: Standup comedian known for his Comedy Central and Netflix specials. She was really beneficial, she kept us in a stature way above our means and made sure we were taken care of as far as clean clothes and shoes." I have one-liners, I have dirty jokes, but I also have long stories that are 10 or 20 minutes long and the laughs come every eight seconds. 9. Bill Black [11] May also performed at the "Gathering of the Juggalos 2012". writer 2019 Brand New Old Love Writer 2018 High Land Parking Writer TV Series 2017 2 episodes My Super-Overactive Imagination Writer TV Series 2013-2015 33 episodes Recycled Babies Live Writer (as Catherine Rhinehart) TV Special 2013 Recycled Babies Writer (as Catherine Rhinehart) TV Series 2013 2 episodes Trashed Nation [6] May graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. 10. The comedian on the thirteenth season of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. [3] He was the youngest of four children. What is your favorite part of the film? narrative? parents in this light? He later recorded four Comedy Central specials titled Girth of a Nation (2006), Prime Cut (2007),[8] Austin-tatious (2008), and Too Big To Ignore (2012),[9] as well as two Netflix specials titled Imperfectly Yours (2013) and Unruly (2015). April 17, 2023 at 3:07 p.m. Wildlife groups and government agencies are trying to mobilize sharp-eyed humans for Colorado Bat Watch, a campaign launched Monday to help biologists find bat roosting . Filmmaker Cat Rhinehart spends one year closely following comedian Ralphie May, leading up to his planned weight loss surgery. USA: What's Eating Ralphie May? I googled it a bit and didn't see where I am able to watch it. Initially intended to be a weight loss documentary, what is captured instead is a raw and intimate portrait of a family dealing with addiction, a wife coming to terms with . He wasn't known for being someone overtly serious with any of his material. 90mins Will your children see the film? But soaking it all in is necessary. A compromise is made, and a personal trainer is sent on the road with Ralphie during his nation-wide tour in the hopes to help the comedian lose weight in lieu of surgery. Let us know your e-mail address to send your $25 Uber Eats Gift Card when you sign up for Sling TV. 12973 Saddleback Place I dont think there has been a film like this made about any other celebrity. He died while they were in the middle of getting divorced, and it was never finalized. May had been battling pneumonia for several weeks and as a result, had canceled shows over the previous month. 6. Initially intended to be a weight loss documentary, what is captured instead is a raw and intimate portrait of a family dealing with addiction, a wife coming to terms with her inability to change the person she loves, and a tragically flawed comedian breaking down during one of the last years of his life. Its called: "What's Eating Ralphie May?" After being sent a screener, I was blown away by the film. If he can see the film postmortem, I would think he would be sad and full of regret for giving up such an amazing life. Helping people learn that the only person who you can change is yourself. Let us know your e-mail address to send your $50 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for DIRECTV STREAM. [2] He finished in second place in the competition, with Dat Phan winning first place. After all, the comedian didn't make his living grappling with the ups-and-downs of life in [] On October 6, 2017, Ralphie unexpectedly dies during his residency in Vegas. Few moments are as unsettling as when we see May in an interview with a Las Vegas morning show ahead of a year-long residency at Harrahs, and he looks gravely ill. Its followed by a celebratory moment of the comic walking the backstage halls of the Vegas Harrahs and soaking in the career achievement of staging a residency in such a legendary town for performers. Initially intended to be a weight loss documentary, what is captured instead is a raw and intimate portrait of a family dealing with addiction, a wife coming to terms with her inability to change the person she loves, and a tragically flawed comedian breaking down during one of the last years of his life. If so, how do you think they will react to seeing their As the course of the year we spend with Mays family unfolds, we learn hes not well, and hes not getting any better. Bob Almond Ralphies demanding tour schedule, ailing health and pressure to lose weight puts a heavy strain on his relationship with his wife and family and cracks in his marriage begin to show through arguments and confrontations. [3] He was the youngest of four children. Teddy Margas is an actor and writer, known for AJ and the Queen (2020), Beast Mode (2020) and What's Eating Ralphie May? By what name was What's Eating Ralphie May? 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