Schlatter Documentary Arrives on VOD December 8

Freestyle Digital Media will release Sock It To Me: The Legend of George Schlatter on digital video-on-demand platforms on December 8. The distribution company, a division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, secured North American rights for the feature-length documentary. The acquisition was negotiated directly with the filmmakers and George Schlatter Productions.

The film documents the seven-decade career of Schlatter, the 96-year-old creator and producer behind Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. The NBC variety hour premiered in 1968 and is credited with launching the careers of Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin. It also helped establish the format for late-night comedy programs, including Saturday Night Live. Schlatter later created and produced the NBC reality series Real People in 1979. That show gave 18-year-old Byron Allen his first television role as a regular co-host.

Written and directed by Chris Coronado, the documentary utilizes archival footage and new interviews to explore Schlatter’s influence on television comedy. Coronado has served as creative director at George Schlatter Productions since 2016. The production team includes Greg Myers and Dayna Winston. Interviews in the film feature Hawn, Tomlin, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Lionel Richie, Lisa Ann Walter, Berry Gordy, and Byron Allen.

Schlatter described the project as a full circle moment in a statement. He noted that he had previously declined requests to write an autobiography, preferring someone else to handle the task. “It’s a full circle moment to work with Byron Allen’s company to get this documentary out into the world,” Schlatter said. He added that he is excited for audiences to see the film and remember the impact of laughter on viewers.