The Business
Replay: Greg Whiteley on the Emmy-nominated ‘Cheer’
The Netflix series “Cheer” earned six nominations at this year’s Emmys, including Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. The Business revisits its interview with director Greg Whiteley.
By Kim Masters • • 28m ListenThis Labor Day weekend, The Business re-airs an interview with filmmaker Greg Whiteley. His Netflix documentary series “Cheer” scored six Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Unscripted Reality Program.
“Cheer” became a pop cultural moment when it was released. While the cast wasn’t eligible for Emmys, many of them became minor celebrities. The show also counted Reese Witherspoon and Chrissy Teigen among its fans. Head coach Monica Aldama will appear alongside the likes of Olympian Johnny Weir and AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys in the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.”
“Cheer” depicts the grueling world of competitive cheerleading in a small Texas town. The series delves into the sometimes heartbreaking backstories of the young competitors as they vie for a spot on the mat. The situations can be sensitive, and in an interview earlier this year, Whiteley said he still has misgivings about how he depicted one set of very driven parents.
