The first episode of Hulu’s new TV show Paradise ends with a moody cover of Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise,” by JOYNER. However, things could have gone in a different direction for the twisty political thriller, if Guns N’ Roses had gotten on board.
In a recent Variety profile of series star Sterling K. Brown, it was revealed that the original title for Paradise was in fact Paradise City. However, writer Jennifer Maas explains, the title “was shortened when the studio couldn’t come to terms with Guns N’ Roses on use of the band’s 1988 hit song of the same name, or its title.”
Without getting into spoilers, Paradise takes place in an idyllic community where the former President of the United States is being protected by Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Brown) — until, that is, President Cal Bradford (James Marsden) is unexpectedly found dead.
If you’ve seen the first three episodes of the show, then you know that ’80s and ’90s rock, like that crafted by GN’R, actually plays a pretty significant role, as President Bradford turns out to be a fan of what might be called “dad rock” today. This leads to Starship and Journey references, amongst others, not to mention Marsden himself providing his own version of “Another Day in Paradise” while on a bender.
It’s probably for the best that the studio avoided antagonizing Guns N’ Roses: In the past, Axl Rose has filed a few lawsuits, including a legal action against Dr. Pepper in 2008 over a soda giveaway and a case against Activision in 2010 over Slash being included in Guitar Hero 3.
The first three episodes of Paradise are currently streaming on Hulu. Listen to JOYNER’s cover of “Another Day in Paradise” below (and imagine how cool a “Paradise City” cover in this same style might have sounded).
