Category: Billions

Top Billions Songs: The Tail That Wags The Dog’s Playlist

Being a (somewhat) musician, I am always on alert for the effect of music on a show. I work in musical theater when not teaching, so the music there is often integral to the plot. But for regular movies and TV shows, the music still can add an element of drama and emotion that would hard to obtain otherwise.  Think of movies like Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET (sensing a John Williams theme here??) and the impact the music played there in the emotional moments of those shows.

Brian  Koppelman gets this. He has been around music all his life, and if you follow him on Twitter you know he has very strong opinions about music. (Don’t ever ask him about the Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen – trust me, just don’t.)  He and I both grew up in the 80’s alternative music scene. We are both REM fans, although where he prefers “Automatic for the People” I go with “Life’s Rich Pageant”, which leads me to my first musical choice for my playlist, and the one that early on got me paying attention to the song choices. Continue reading “Top Billions Songs: The Tail That Wags The Dog’s Playlist”

Top Billions Songs: Damianista’s
“Running” Playlist

Firstly, I identify a lot of things in my life with music. Almost every piece of music I love reminds me of some moment in my life, particularly good ones. And I associate my memories with music so much so that I believe we all should have a life soundtrack!

So when I hear a particular song from Billions soundtrack, I associate the song with the particular Billions scene it plays in. And every time I listen to the song, I re-live the scene as if I am watching the show again. So it is no surprise that most of the songs in my Billions playlist accompany some of my favorite scenes in my favorite show. Continue reading “Top Billions Songs: Damianista’s “Running” Playlist”

Damian Lewis and $$$: A Moderate
Relationship *UPDATED*

“It’s a good thing that I’m a rich ****in’ man.” — Bobby Axelrod

Damian Lewis is no stranger to playing men with money, in particular NEW MONEY. In The Forsyte Saga, he brings us Soames Forsyte, a member of an upper middle class family in Edwardian times, who is nicknamed “man of property” thanks to his ability to accumulate material possessions. Only a few generations removed from their farmer ancestors, the Forsytes are very much self-conscious about their status and do not like to be reminded of being “new money.”

soamescharliebobby

Damian also brings us Charlie Crews aka “Officer New Money” in Life. Charlie sues the city of Los Angeles and the LAPD successfully for his imprisonment of 12 years for a murder he did not commit and receives an undisclosed settlement money that is rumored to be around 50 million dollars. Charlie splurges on things he was deprived of in prison: Space. He buys a huge house and no furniture. Fresh fruit. He buys an orange grove. Light. He invests in solar energy.

Now, 50 million is a very very VERY serious amount of money for (almost) anyone. But everything is relative in life and 50 million may not sound as serious to a man like…

Continue reading “Damian Lewis and $$$: A Moderate Relationship *UPDATED*”

Top Billions Songs: Lady Trader’s Playlist

Billions is many things to many people: some love the amazing acting, some enjoy the sharp writing, and many love the pop culture references galore.

However it’s the soundtrack to Billions that can be all things to all people!

From Dylan to Black Sabbath, from Sammy Davis Jr. to Nelly, Billions has it all, and more.

I’ve written several times about Axe and his music; it was only natural for the gang at Fan Fun to share our favorite songs featured in our favorite show. Continue reading “Top Billions Songs: Lady Trader’s Playlist”

Appetite for Power – Eating, Drinking & Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide *UPDATED release date*

I have news!

So… I sat down and wrote a book 🙂 And, I mean, I knew it was happening but I felt that it was really happening when I saw the book on the publisher’s website with my name on it!

So I give you…

Appetite for Power – Eating, Drinking and Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide

If everything goes according to the current production plan, Appetite for Power Guide to Eating, Drinking and Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide will be out on November 3, 2020 – yes, on Election Day of all days! You can check the book out and pre-order a copy on the publisher’s website or on the usual suspects Amazon or Barnes & Nobles.

Update 10/24/2020: Well, I was right saying “if everything goes according to the current production plan…” since I just heard from my publisher that the book release will coincide with the return of Billions Season 5 to Showtime – hopefully sooner than later in 2021.

Now, if you are interested in the extraordinary journey I have had, writing a book about my favorite TV show that is, here it is. Continue reading “Appetite for Power – Eating, Drinking & Dealmaking in NYC: A Billions Guide *UPDATED release date*”