Will Mariah Carey Appear in the Upcoming Derek Jeter Documentary, ‘The Captain’?
ESPN turned heads when they announced a six-part documentary series based on the life of retired Yankees superstar Derek Jeter. Pivoting off of the success of The Last Dance, The Captain hopes to recreate the magic of Michael Jordan’s superstar-driven documentary that aired in 2021. However, with a 2022 release in sight, many fans are focused on Jeter’s ex, Mariah Carey. Will she appear in the show?
ESPN announces forthcoming Derek Jeter docuseries
The Last Dance was unlike any athlete-centered documentary ever released. It had a broader scope than OJ Simpson: Made in America, which helped create the template Jason Hehir and company worked off of. The Last Dance wasn’t about crime, punishment, or America at large. It was about the Chicago Bulls, and more specifically, Michael Jordan. Now, ESPN announced a follow-up project focusing on Jeter’s career:
“ESPN Films today announced a multi-part documentary series that will tell the story of one of the greatest icons in modern sports and reveal the man behind the icon. Derek Jeter’s arrival with the New York Yankees helped transform a struggling franchise into a storied dynasty, all within a time of great change in New York City.”
Jeter’s on-field success as a jack-of-all-trades made him a perfect Yankee whose leadership overcame any weaknesses in the game. Add to that his off-the-field reputation as a playboy and a womanizer, and many are intrigued to see how the titular The Captain looks. Synonymous with New York, Jeter led the team through its ’90s dynasty, emotional post 9/11 run, and roller coaster years beyond it.
While his 20-year MLB career is enough to intrigue, the idea of Carey speaking about her famed entanglement with the Yankees slugger has fans cheering before they’ve seen any footage.
Will Mariah Carey appear in ‘The Captain’?
One of the most memorable episodes of The Last Dance focused less on Jordan and more on Dennis Rodman. Rodman was one of the most unique characters in the history of pro sports. His brief marriage to Carmen Electra was an especially notable example. While Jordan’s own relationships never played a part in the documentary, Rodman’s provided a glimpse into the love life of pro athletes.
As such, Redditors had a field day imagining how the documentary could cover the off-field Jeter with similar entertainment value. From Jessica Alba to a slew of other women, Jeter’s little black book is a who’s who of many big names.
Still, despite this, Mariah Carey remains the one that everyone on Reddit wants to see. “I want to see prime Mariah Carey with a cigar and holding the WS trophy on some Rodman/Carmen Electra sh*t,” wrote u/InfinityGauntlet6.
Part of the appeal of the Electra segment in The Last Dance was the firsthand account that she provided. Getting an iconic name like Carey would immediately add intrigue to a documentary of this ilk. After all, while Jeter is a legend, he lacks the gravitas that Jordan does, and Carey could help offset that by bringing some of her own.
When will ‘The Captain’ debut?
While we know the Derek Jeter document premieres in 2022, Sporting News notes how ESPN has kept the details under wraps. Spike Lee serves as executive producer. Randy Wilkins, who worked with Lee on his Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It, will direct.
Other than that, the only thing we know is that The Captain premieres in 2022. Time will tell if Carey appears. But the diva’s recent Christmas special and a slew of TV appearances show she might be ready. Still, a diva never plays by others’ rules.
