Lee Daniels (Precious) has signed on to direct a Showtime drama series about New York City’s underground drag ball scene. W. Merritt Johnson (best known for Temple Grandin and his work on HBO’s In Treatment) is writing the script, which will focus on the (mostly) working-class, (mostly) minority gay, bisexual, and transsexual youth who participate in the contests. The culture first gained mainstream(ish) attention in 1990, when Jennie Livingston released her much-loved documentary Paris Is Burning, though — thanks to Madonna! — even those who haven’t seen the movie are likely to recognize its signature move. [Deadline]
