Matt Berninger from The National Provides an Update on His TV Sitcom, Reveals It’s Called “Das Apes”

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For quite some time now, Matt Berninger, the frontman of the indie rock band The National, has been dropping hints about a semi-autobiographical sitcom project that he’s been working on with his brother, Tom, and his wife, Carin Besser. This intriguing venture seemed destined for obscurity at times, but recent developments suggest that it might be back on track.

In a recent profile featured in The New Yorker by Amanda Petrusich, we get an inside look at the journey Matt Berninger and his creative team embarked upon. The story begins in 2014 when Berninger and Besser relocated to Los Angeles with their young daughter, Isla, and purchased a cozy bungalow in the picturesque neighborhood of Venice, not too far from the soothing embrace of the ocean. Tom joined the adventure, setting up his workspace in a guesthouse nestled in the backyard. It was here that the trio began crafting a television series, drawing inspiration loosely from Tom’s earlier film about The National, but with a liberal dose of fiction to spice things up.

Berninger described the initial pitch for the show as being somewhat reminiscent of “The Monkees,” but with a decidedly modern twist. It aimed to offer viewers a candid and unfiltered glimpse into the music industry’s inner workings. To bring their vision to life, Berninger formed a band named Das Apes and composed new songs, some of which would eventually find their way onto his debut solo album, “Serpentine Prison,” released in 2020. They went the extra mile, filming a pilot episode, scouting locations, and even engaging in meetings with HBO. This passionate endeavor stretched on for nearly a decade, characterized by a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by moments of excitement and disappointment. As Tom aptly put it, “It was this endless circle of excitement and failure.” Matt Berninger added, “We were realistic about our chances of actually getting a TV show. But it felt like we got pretty close.”

However, in the spring of 2021, after years of toil and heartache, they reluctantly threw in the towel. Berninger shared the genuine heartbreak he felt, particularly concerning his brother’s involvement. He felt accountable for leading Tom on a grueling journey that ultimately appeared destined for failure.

Fast forward to the present, and in a recent interview with NME, Matt Berninger has dropped a bombshell: “Das Apes” is not dead; it’s very much alive and kicking. In his characteristically poetic style, Berninger compared the project’s revival to Frankenstein, with a bolt of lightning reigniting its creative heart. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s a really great show. It’s called Das Apes, and, with the pandemic, we had to put it down. Yeah, Das Apes is alive, and that’s all I can say.”

While challenges like writer’s strikes and unforeseen circumstances had previously stymied their progress, Berninger is cautiously optimistic about the future. He’s learned the importance of not overextending himself with multiple projects and is determined to only take on endeavors that he can wholeheartedly commit to. “Das Apes” remains on his radar as one of those cherished projects that he still aspires to bring to fruition.

So, fans of Matt Berninger and The National, keep your eyes peeled, because “Das Apes” might just be the lightning bolt of entertainment you’ve been waiting for.

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More about Revival

• The New Yorker Profile – The original source for insights into Matt Berninger’s sitcom project “Das Apes.”

• NME Interview – The NME interview where Matt Berninger discusses the revival of “Das Apes” and provides an update on the project’s status.