HBO Picks Up ‘Open,’ A ‘Provocative’ New Pilot From ‘Glee’s’ Ryan Murphy

In yet another small step toward the inevitable scenario where every show on television is produced by Chuck Lorre, J.J. Abrams, or Ryan Murphy, HBO announced yesterday that they had picked up Open, a new drama from the Glee and American Horror Story creator. What is it about, you ask? Excellent question. I have no idea.

Deadline describes it as “a modern, provocative exploration of human sexuality and relationships,” which could mean, like, anything. (Example: It could conceivably be an updated version of Superman where mild-mannered Clark Kent is in a seemingly stable relationship with Lois Lane, but is secretly having a torrid affair with Superman’s sworn enemy, Lex Luthor.) And an HBO executive said “Its provocative storytelling and Ryan’s trademark production values and rich, layered characters make it a perfect fit for the HBO brand,” which (a) brings our “provocative” count to two, if you’re keeping score, and (b) RICH LAYERED CHARACTERS AHAHAHAHAHA.

Since that’s really all we know at this point, I’d just like to point out that Entertainment Weekly’s headline for this story is “Ryan Murphy Sells Sexy Pilot To HBO,” which makes it sounds like the ubiquitous television producer and premium cable network are cohorts in a human trafficking operation involving fetching aviators. Now THAT is a provocative drama I would watch.

Photo credit: Helga Esteb/Shutterstock

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