'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed'. Photo: Netflix
'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed'. Photo: Netflix
'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed'. Photo: Netflix
'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed'. Photo: Netflix

What is the Bob Ross documentary everyone is talking about?


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

It's highly likely that you'll be familiar with big-haired television artist Bob Ross. He was the host of The Joy of Painting, who managed to make painting a tree-filled landscape look effortless.

He's the man you've seen in memes, sat in front of easels and landscape paintings, who had the famous catchphrase, "We don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents."

It's also probable that in the past 24 hours, you've noticed a sudden surge in social media chatter about him and, specifically, a documentary about his life.

Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed landed on Netflix on Wednesday, a matter of days after a mysterious teaser trailer debuted on August 17.

"We want to show you the trailer for Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed," text on the vague trailer reads over almost-cliched mystery music, "but we can't."

"I've been wanting to get this story out for all these years," an unidentified man is then heard saying, before the on-screen text reads, "Find out why on August 25."

The whole time, a black and white image of Ross sat, paintbrush in hand, in front of an easel, remains.

The documentary is not, as you might have hoped, going to help improve your brushstrokes.

It is a deep dive into the painter's complex life and the even more complicated battle for his estate following his death on July 4, 1995, aged 52. The hour-and-a-half-long film is directed by Joshua Rofe and was produced by husband-and-wife stars Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone.

Bridesmaids star McCarthy and her filmmaker husband Falcone set out to make the film as fans, but found roadblocks as few were willing to speak about him.

"That was when we sort of figured out, oh, boy, this might be a little different than what we thought it was going to be," Falcone told NPR.

"When someone is an artist, no matter what their medium is ... there's a business behind it," McCarthy said. "And I would venture to guess that business is always much more complicated than the personality that they lead with."

For many, Ross and The Joy of Painting will be a fond childhood memory. The beginning of the documentary will have a warm familiarity as it charts the TV personality's rise, from a stint in the Air Force to a softly spoken art teacher and presenter.

Steve Ross, Bob Ross and friend Dana Jester in a still from 'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed'. Photo: Netflix
Steve Ross, Bob Ross and friend Dana Jester in a still from 'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed'. Photo: Netflix

Couple Annette and Walt Kowalski play key roles in the artist's Bob Ross Inc company, which they helped to build. However, with his 1995 death, the documentary changes in tone, becoming an estate battle.

The Kowalskis inherited his art empire, including TV rights and art supplies, despite the fact that Ross tried to sign them over to his half-brother Jimmie and his son, Steve Ross, at the end of his life. To this day, Bob Ross Inc is owned and run by the Kowalski family.

"Bob Ross Inc takes strong issue with the inaccurate and heavily slanted portrayal of our company in the Netflix film, Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed,'" a representative of Bob Ross Inc told CNN.

"While the producers of the Netflix film did contact Bob Ross Inc twice, in late August and October 2020, each request arrived replete with a confounding lack of transparency. At no time did they pose specific questions to Bob Ross Inc or ask for any form of rebuttal to specific assertions they had decided to include in the film."

Speaking of Ross's legacy and reputation, which many worry will be damaged by the film, Falcone says they "never intended to set out and create a hit piece."

"We like Bob Ross and we still do. We were surprised to uncover some of the things we uncovered," the Tammy director says of the film.

"I think the filmmakers, Josh and Steven [Berger, producer], really did a nice job of making kind of a complicated, balanced movie out of a character that is complicated. We found out things about him that we didn't expect. Nobody's perfect."

'Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed' is available to stream in the UAE now

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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

Updated: August 26, 2021, 11:32 AM