Could Steven Slater's Story Become a Feature Film, Movie, or Reality Show?

Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant, is gaining viral status across the online community via Facebook pages, and is making many wonder if he will become a reality TV show "star." In addition, People Magazine had an interesting article yesterday that hinted at the possibility that Slater could become a feature film.

I already envision it. The opening credits are done, just as the scene flashes to a JetBlue plane on the tarmac. A flamboyant male flight attendant is doing what flight attendants do, when he heads over to assist a passenger who is 1)not obeying instructions, and 2) having trouble with their luggage.

An argument ensues, the passenger calls the flight attendant an expletive. The flight attendant's face gets red, he gets on the intercom and curses out the entire plane load of people. He grabs a strategically placed Bud Light, his luggage, and deploys the emergency chute to the plane and exits. Passengers are open mouth-ed and pointing as he skips away to his car.

Then the scene goes black and we are brought in to a clip of the jolly flight attendant laying out on a couch, speaking with Dr. Paul Weston of the HBO show "In Treatment" discussing his life...the story leading up to the JetBlue incident.

Who would play the flamboyant steward? People Magazine offered a variety of choices, including Neal McDonough, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michael Kors, Ian Ziering, Neil Patrick Harris and James Michael Tyler

I think that Neal McDonough looks the part, but he doesn't seem the flamboyant flight attendant type to me. Neil Patrick Harris may be able to play the role just a wee bit more lively, making it a more memorable film.

The story has everything for a movie - action, controversy - and lots of controversy at that. There are rumors that Steven Slater is HIV positive, he has an ill mother, he was rumored to have been in bed with his boyfriend when caught by police, he has an ex wife who isn't scorned - but who say's he's a great person. There's a lot of material here for a screenwriter.

So will we see the Steven Slater movie, or the Steven Slater reality show? For the show, I envision a dating show. At the end of each episode, the contestants sit nervously in the seats of an airplane cabin. As Steven makes his decision as to who goes home, he offers the ousted potential lover a beer, orders them to take down their baggage and they slide out of the plane. In the end, an irate disgruntled "contestant" hits Steven over the head with their carry-on.

So much to go by - such a hilarious story. What do you think? Will this make a great reality TV show or movie?

Source:

Alison Schwartz, People.com: Who Could Play JetBlue Flight Attendant Steven Slater in a Movie?