Is Netflix’s ‘Obliterated’ Based on a True Story?

Netflix is back at it again with yet another action dramedy with a pretty interesting concept behind it. Imagine a team of armed forces members finding themselves to be literally too obliterated to perform their duties to the public and finding themselves in a highly dangerous but also extremely funny situation. This is the premise of ‘Obliterated,’ and since the situation doesn’t sound all that fictional, plenty of excited fans are wondering if there is truth to it & it was based on a true story. 

‘Obliterated’ follows the spec ops team after a wild night out 

The premise of the show itself sounds pretty interesting: a spec ops team consisting of Nick Zano, Shelley Henning, Terrence Terrell, C. Thomas Howell, Eugene Kim, Paola Lazaro, and Kimi Rutledge in various army-related roles are successful in stopping a terrorist threat from blowing up Las Vegas. 

After the successful mission, the team finds itself having a night of drinking, sex, drugs, and lavish partying overall. However, the next morning, a bit of a cold shower arrives when the team figures out that the bomb they initially dismantled was fake. What follows is a high-octane action adventure through New York and their own hangover as they try to track down the real bomb and stop it from blowing up half of Las Vegas. 

And even though it sounds insanely interesting, there’s not a spec of truth to it. 

The show was created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, and it’s not based on true events

Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg are the names behind the idea for ‘Obliterated.’ This trio of writers, directors, and producers gained significant recognition for their collaboration on the ‘Cobra Kai.’ Josh Heald has been involved in various projects, including writing for the ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ film series. Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg are longtime collaborators, having worked together on projects like the ‘Harold & Kumar’ film series.

The idea for ‘Obliterated’ has been in the works for quite some time now, however. The trio was supposed to bring ‘Obliterated’ to screens as part of their overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. Initially slated for a ten-episode run on TBS following a straight-to-series order in October 2019, the show later found a new home on Netflix with a slightly trimmed episode count of eight.

Taking on multiple roles, the trio of Hurwitz, Schlossberg, and Heald not only crafted the series but also stepped into the director’s chair. Dina Hillier contributed as an executive producer alongside the three creators. The lead roles were secured by Nick Zano and Shelley Hennig, with additional talent including Terrence Terrell, Alyson Gorske, C. Thomas Howell, Eugene Kim, Paola Lazaro, and Kimi Rutledge joining the main cast. The production kicked off in July 2022 in Las Vegas and Albuquerque, of course. 

In his interview with Screenrant Jon Harwitz had a pretty simple answer when he was asked whether the show drew inspiration from some real-life events. 

I don’t think anything, specifically. I think the closest thing is the phone call that Paul is having with his wife in the first episode when McKnight grabs the phone, says some inappropriate things, and then hands the phone back. I think that happened during one of the bachelor parties that we were on where suddenly a friend’s wife was like, “Why would you put a random on the phone with me to say those awful things?” So I think that’s the closest thing to anything else—

As you can see, it’s not based on a true story; it’s just a really good idea. ‘Obliterated’ lands on Netflix on November 30, 2023, with all eight episodes. 

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