The Race Is On – 1968 Grand Ole Opry – The episode begins with Roy Acuff (Tim Blake Nelson) performing live at the Grand Ole Opry. George Jones (Michael Shannon) flushes shredded dollars down the toilet. Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery (Walton Goggins) pleads with him to do a few songs. In a high-pitched voice, George says George left but will tell him they stopped by to see him. When Roy announces George, he’s nowhere to be seen. The crowd chants “George.” Peanutt suggests he can’t stand before stabilizing his knees with tape.

Don Chapel (Pat Healy) and Tammy Wynette (Jessica Chastain) run toward the Grand Ole Opry. While addressing the audience, George accepts a glass of alcohol from a fan. After handing their children over to a sitter, Tammy and Don arrive as George is singing “White Lightning.”

Tammy’s putting on makeup in the car when Billy Sherrill (David Wilson Barnes) asks if Don couldn’t babysit. She says he’s writing songs. They enter the room to find George still in bed. Billy says Shorty Lavender’s seeking his approval to book Tammy for the Knoxville show. George suggests he wants him at Epic before asking Tammy how it makes her feel to be dangled by Billy. She admits to believing she’d never get an opportunity to see him until last night. He informs her that it’s been three days since he “sh**.” She claims to have utilized his records to learn how to sing in harmony. Billy informs him that in 18 months, her songs have hit the charts three times.

Tammy motions for Rhonda (Greyson Chadwick) to be quiet while George speaks to his wife on the phone. Rhonda says why, she isn’t my wife. He tells his wife that she’s being unappreciative of his keeping a roof over her head. Tammy suggests marriage is believed to make their lives easier. She admits to respecting him before saying she’s leaving if he isn’t going to approve her for his show at the Knoxville Music Hall. As they prepare to leave, George tells her that she’s all right.

Don tells Tammy that he’ll not try to stop George from recording “When The Grass Grows Over Me.” Tammy reminds him that George hasn’t heard the song yet. He suggests she thinks his song isn’t good enough. She admits to loving his song.

When George complains about urinating on his boot, the sweaty driver (Nathan Hesse) warns him that he needs to concentrate on the road. George says he’ll turn the air conditioner on before giving it a kick. The driver tells him that he broke it when George fires several shots into the ceiling. Don and Tammy pull up to the overturned bus. Peanutt and the others climb out of the bus when George pokes his out of an opening.

Gwen (Amelie Young/Penelope Young) tells George that he has a funny odor. He tells her that it’s the “sweet nectar of the Gods.” Jackie asks how he got his nickname, Possum. He says it has to do with his bulging eyes and a funny nose. When Don informs him of being a songwriter, Tammy shakes her head.

Tammy addresses the band before performing “Apartment #9.”

George’s playing chatterbox with Jackie and Gwen. After pointing out that his hair is a mess, Tammy styles it. She admits to unofficially graduating from beauty school while pregnant with her third baby. George informs her of his wife telling him to never come home. Don listens as Tammy suggests female singers must be perfect to survive in Nashville. After assuring her that she’s isn’t perfect, he confesses to loving her singing. Teary-eyed, she tells him that she’s always wanted to hear him say it. He tells her that men like Don believe a pretty woman will increase their self-worth. As Don leaves, she tells George that he’s a talented songwriter.

Donna Chapel (Vivie Myrick) warns Tammy that Don let the local boys go before leaving. After convincing Slim (John Mullins) and his boys to say, she performs “Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad.” George joins her on stage. They perform “Why Baby Why.”

As Tammy gets in her car, George approaches to invite her to join him on his new tour bus. She tells him that their heading in opposite directions. He says he’ll have his old tour bus repaired for her. When she refuses the offer, Donna says she’ll take it.

Tammy demands to know where Don has been. He assures her that she would go nowhere without him. She claims it was for him. He asks if George has agreed to sing his songs before asking if anything happened between them. She says nothing happened when George’s old bus pulls up.

Tammy records “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” when George shows up. George suggests to make her song real, you’d need to live it. Billy asks George to leave Musicor for Epic. George Richey (Steve Zahn) introduces himself as the “Hee Haw” musical director. George tells him that he came to see Don who informs him of his song, “When The Grass Grows Over Me.”

Tammy’s in the shower when Don sneaks in to snap a few photos.

George performs Don’s song. Pappy Daily (Robert Morgan) tells Tammy that he missed an opportunity to sign her to Musicor. She asks how that crow tastes. George asks if he can join them at dinner Saturday. Donna assures him that Tammy’s a great cook.

Don Informs George that Gary Chapel (Cade Tropeano), Mike Chapel Henry Heffernan), and Donna are his children. Tammy asks if he’d like a drink. When he says, “Nothing,” she questions his response. She tells him that her and Don’s relationship is normal. He sings lyrics from her song, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”

Don demands Mike remove his elbows from the table. Placing his elbows on the table, George tells Mike that he gets nervous when people act fancy around him. Don reminds him of it being his house. When he claims to have taught his children to always finish what they start, Donna says he never said it. Donna says they’re having a nice dinner. He orders the women to shut up. George sings lyrics from “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”

After going to the kitchen, Tammy listens to Don say, “The difference in me and my wife, she sees an opportunity, she takes it. I get close to lucky, I pack it in.” He asks George if he’s going to “f**k” Tammy. George admits he’d like to. When Don assures him that she’s lousy in bed, George flips the table over. While pinning Don against the wall, he asks if she loves him. She says yes. He suggests they get out of there before asking her to remind him which kids are hers.

Don warns them that their relationship won’t be a fairy tale as the episode comes to an end.

 

George & Tammy Synopsis

George’s 1968 Grand Ole Opry performance was only possible with tape wrapped around his knees. Tammy Wynette and Don Chapel were in the audience when he performed “White Lightning.”

Tammy had three hits when Shorty Lavender recommends her for George’s Knoxville Music Hall gig. George and his wife, Shirley Ann Conley were having marital problems.

Tammy isn’t thrilled with Don’s idea that George should record his song, “When The Grass Grows Over Me.” George’s tour bus is traveling to Knoxville, Tennessee when the inebriated singer fires several into the ceiling. The driver loses control, sending the bus toppling over. Tammy and Don who are following the bus invite George to ride with them.

Don overhears George telling Tammy that men like him rely on pretty women to boost their self-worth. Don tells her band that the show has been canceled. She convinces them to stay even though some of the guys had been drinking.

George has his old tour bus repaired for Tammy. Don confronts her about George’s comment. She assures him that everything she did was for him.

During the recording of her hit song, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” George stops by to speak with Don about his song, “When The Grass Grows Over Me.” He would go to record the song later the same year.

During Dinner, Don accuses George of wanting to have sex with Tammy. An altercation resulted in Tammy and her children leaving with George.

George & Tammy Review

The actors did a decent job portraying two country music legends. It is no small feat to physically transform Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain to look like “The Possum” and the “First Lady of Country Music.” Kudos to Mitchell Travers (costume design) and Ashleigh Chavis (Shannon’s makeup artist), makeup artists, Cristy Koebley, J.C. Davis, Jennifer McCollom, and Tara Segar.

The cinematography was subpar. Poor screen quality and lighting. The camera movie was at times, too fast.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more George & Tammy recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.

George & Tammy Cast

• Billy Sherrill – David Wilson Barnes
• Tammy Wynette – Jessica Chastain
• George Richey – Steve Zahn
• Don Chapel – Pat Healy
• George Jones – Michael Shannon
• Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery – Walton Goggins
• Donna Chapel – Vivie Myrick
• Roy Acuff – Tim Blake Nelson
• Pappy Daily – Robert Morgan

Where Was George & Tammy Filmed

There were several filming locations, including Nashville, Tennessee, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Where To Watch George & Tammy

George & Tammy is based on the book, “The Three Of Us Growing Up With Tammy And George” by Georgette Jones, George and Tammy’s only daughter together. The show premiered on December 4, 2022, on Showtime.