SERIES PREMIERE: Just as the streaming video service Netflix put itself on the map, big time, by presenting the excellent drama
House of Cards, Amazon Prime Video pulls the same trick, after a few seasons of original programming development, by unveiling
Transparent, a new comedy-drama starring Jeffrey Tambor as a 70-year-old man who has decided to embrace his female side – henceforth
her female side. Telling the family, including his ex-wife (Judith Light) is only one of the tricky paths to be negotiated. It’s a role that could have gone overboard so easily, and taken the series with it – but Tambor is stunningly real and exposed here, serving up yet another bold and brilliant acting triumph in a long career that’s full of them. Gaby Hoffman, Melora Hardin and Jay Duplass co-star as the grown children; Jill Soloway created the show. For a full review, listen to today’s
Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR, or, after about 4 p.m. ET, visit the
Fresh Air website. Also, for Eric Gould's take on
Transparent, as well as other streaming content, stop by
The Cold Light Reader.