Well, folks, in a plot twist that even Tammy Wynette might’ve called “too country for country,” a Delaware judge just dismissed a lawsuit against Showtime’s George & Tammy series. The suit? It was all about how the show portrayed George Richey, Tammy’s final husband, and let’s just say his family wasn’t exactly thrilled with the on-screen version. But the judge? Not moved. The ruling came down like a steel guitar riff: Showtime’s in the clear, and the First Amendment’s still standing tall.
Let’s back up a bit, because this whole thing is juicier than a Nashville bar fight. George & Tammy is the limited series that dives deep into the wild, whiskey-soaked love story of country music royalty George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Starring Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon, it was a smash hit—Showtime’s most-watched premiere ever, racking up four Emmy nods to boot. But while fans were busy ugly-crying to “Golden Ring,” George Richey’s family was stewing over how the show painted him. According to them, it was less than flattering, and they claimed it violated a non-disparagement agreement tied to a book deal.
Here’s where it gets interesting. The book in question is The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, written by Georgette Jones, Tammy’s daughter. Showtime bought the rights to dramatize that book, and that’s what gave them the green light to tell this story. The Richey family argued that Georgette had a deal with Sheila Slaughter Richey (George Richey’s widow) not to trash him, and that the show broke that promise. But the judge wasn’t buying it. In a ruling that could’ve come straight from a courtroom scene in The Good Wife, the judge said, “Nor did Sheila own the story that Showtime used. The network’s right to turn George and Tammy’s story into a TV show came from the First Amendment and from buying the rights to dramatize Georgette’s book. So Showtime did not exploit Sheila’s property rights by making the series.”
Translation: You can’t sue someone for telling a story they have the legal right to tell, especially when it’s based on a book you didn’t write. And let’s not forget, the First Amendment’s got a pretty solid track record in these parts.
Now, if you’re wondering why this matters beyond the legal jargon, it’s because George & Tammy isn’t just any old biopic. It’s a raw, unflinching look at two of country music’s most iconic figures, and it doesn’t shy away from the messy bits. George Jones’ battles with the bottle, Tammy’s string of marriages, and yes, her relationship with Richey—it’s all there, warts and all. And that’s what makes it great. The show doesn’t sanitize their lives; it leans into the chaos, the heartbreak, and the redemption. It’s the kind of storytelling that feels true to the spirit of country music itself: honest, gritty, and unapologetic.
But here’s the thing: when you’re dealing with real people, especially ones who’ve passed on, you’re always walking a tightrope. How do you balance creative freedom with respect for the truth? How do you tell a story that’s both entertaining and fair? It’s a question that’s plagued biopics since the dawn of time (or at least since The Doors made Jim Morrison look like a saint or a lunatic, depending on who you ask). In this case, the judge’s ruling is a reminder that as long as you’ve got the rights and you’re not outright lying, you’re free to tell the story as you see it.
And let’s be real: George & Tammy isn’t some hatchet job. It’s a nuanced, beautifully acted series that treats its subjects with reverence, even when it’s showing their flaws. Chastain and Shannon are phenomenal, channeling the heartache and passion of Jones and Wynette like they were born to do it. The series doesn’t just tell you about their lives; it makes you feel them. And that’s the magic of it.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Well, for one, the lawsuit’s dismissal is a win for Showtime and the creators of George & Tammy. They can pop the champagne (or maybe a cold beer, in true George Jones fashion) and keep riding the wave of success. But more importantly, it’s a win for storytelling. It’s a reminder that art—whether it’s a song, a book, or a TV show—has the right to explore the messy, complicated truth of human lives, even when it ruffles a few feathers.
As for George Richey’s family, well, they’re probably not thrilled. But here’s hoping they can find some peace in knowing that the series, for all its drama, is ultimately a love letter to Tammy Wynette and George Jones. Their story, after all, is one for the ages—full of highs, lows, and everything in between. And thanks to this ruling, it’s a story that’s here to stay.
So, if you haven’t watched George & Tammy yet, do yourself a favor and fix that. Just maybe don’t expect it to be a bedtime story. This is country music, after all—where the truth hurts, but damn if it doesn’t sound good.
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