Freestyle Digital Media to Release George Schlatter Documentary Dec. 8

The creator of one of television’s most influential comedy shows will have his life story told on digital screens next month. Freestyle Digital Media, the distribution unit of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has secured the North American video-on-demand rights to the documentary Sock It To Me: The Legend of George Schlatter. The film is scheduled to launch on digital platforms on Dec. 8.

The documentary centers on Schlatter, who is now 96 years old. He is best known for creating Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, a comedy variety program that premiered on NBC in 1968. The show is credited with launching the careers of Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin. It also played a foundational role in the development of late-night television, a format that later produced Saturday Night Live.

Schlatter’s impact on television extended beyond sketch comedy. He created and produced the NBC reality series Real People starting in 1979. That program provided a first television job for an 18-year-old Byron Allen, who served as a regular co-host. The documentary includes archival footage and interviews with Schlatter, who has been a television producer and director for seven decades.

Several high-profile figures appear in the film to discuss Schlatter’s legacy. The cast of interviews includes Hawn, Tom Hanks, Tomlin, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Lionel Richie, Lisa Ann Walter, Berry Gordy, and Allen. Chris Coronado wrote and directed the project. He has served as creative director at George Schlatter Productions since 2016. Greg Myers and Dayna Winston produced the film alongside him.

Schlatter noted that friends and colleagues had long encouraged him to write an autobiography. He explained that he preferred others to tell his story. "They then explained to me that it wouldn't be an autobiography, so here we are," he said. He described the deal with Allen’s company as a "full circle moment," referencing a catchphrase from Laugh-In. "You bet your sweet bippy I'm excited for audiences to see it and remind them of the power of laughter!" Schlatter added. Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal directly with the filmmakers and George Schlatter Productions.