EagleSteve Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Great quote from Babs at the end... http://www.msnbc.com/news/988680.asp?0cv=CB10 LOS ANGELES, Nov. 4 — Following a storm of protest and threatened advertiser boycott, CBS announced Tuesday it was pulling “The Reagans” miniseries off the air. THE NETWORK SAID it was licensing the completed film to Showtime, a pay cable network that, like CBS, is owned by Viacom. CBS insisted it was not bowing to pressure about portions of the script, but that the decision was made after seeing the finished film. “Although the miniseries features impressive production values and acting performances, and although the producers have sources to verify each scene in the script, we believe it does not present a balanced portrayal of the Reagans for CBS and its audience,” the network said in a statement. As a broadcast network, CBS has different standards than a pay cable network, CBS said. “The Reagans” was considered a major cog in CBS’ November sweeps programming, television’s most-watched night of the week. The network came under heavy criticism from political conservatives that the two-part series unfairly depicts Reagan and his wife, Nancy. On Monday, Variety reported that director Robert Allan Ackerman has quit the production over creative differences with CBS executives who insisted on numerous last-minute alterations. Neither producers for the four-hour film nor Ackerman could immediately be reached for comment. But sources familiar with the production said that CBS demanded last-minute changes that angered Ackerman. The manager for actor James Brolin, who stars as Reagan in the film, said his client was refraining from taking part in promoting the miniseries at this point. “We don’t know what movie they’re putting out there or when or what they’re doing with it,” Jeff Wald told Reuters, adding that Ackerman was not participating in editing the final cut. Wald described executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, whose credits include the hit film musical “Chicago,” as “absolutely dismayed” by the sight-unseen backlash. He dismissed criticism from some that the miniseries is a “hatchet job” and denied that the filmmakers had any agenda in portraying Reagan other than to make a “fair and balanced movie about who he was, positive and negative.” Moonves told CNBC last week that “there are some edits being made trying to present a more fair picture of the Reagans.” The only comment from the Reagans themselves has come from former first lady Nancy Reagan, who in a brief statement issued last week to the Fox News Channel said, “The timing of (the miniseries) is absolutely staggering to me. Obviously, it’s very hurtful.” She apparently was referring to the fact that the 92-year-old former president is severely ill with Alzheimer’s disease. The furor over the miniseries arose after the New York Times reported last month that the film portrays the Reagans in a largely unflattering light. In one scene, Reagan says of AIDS patients, “They that live in sin shall die in sin.” But there is no evidence he ever expressed those views. Some Republicans also were incensed that Reagan is played by Brolin, who is married to Democratic activist Barbra Streisand. Nancy Reagan is portrayed by Judy Davis. Both are self-described liberals, as are Zadan and Meron. On Friday, Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie asked CBS to allow a team of scholars to review the film in advance for historical accuracy. Some Reagan supporters had urged boycotts of CBS by viewers and advertisers. On her Web site last week, Streisand said criticism of the film was typical of “what the right wing does when they are faced with a truth that is not 100 percent positive for their side — they ... scream and yell until they get their way. Instead of boycotting and trying to have the movie changed, why don’t they all just wait to see the film when it airs like the rest of us.” The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 That's classic libspeak. Her (and their) idea of truths is completely fabricating a story to paint someone in a negative light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleSteve Posted November 4, 2003 Author Share Posted November 4, 2003 I have no real problem with a dramatization, but it can't be labeled as an actual account. It also should not leave out major portions of the story. Why is it necessary to make something like this, especially in this manner? PBS had a decent documentary about Reagan a few years ago. It told the whole story, both the positive and negative. We don't need a made-for-tv semi-fictitious account. What's next: Jimmy Carter, the Nation's Savior? The truth. Nothing but the truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 I agree, I had no problem with the film. I think it was silly for people to threaten it. But that's their right as well. I do have a problem claiming it wa an accurate portrayal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Its clearly Clinton's fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 In addition, it's funny, when Jessie Jackson waltzes into a controversy to make money franchising his "racism/victim" message and threatens advertising boycotts that's considered a legitimate tactic. Me thinks the left doth protest too much on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 So, when this shows up on Showtime and a ton of people still watch it, it'll get more press and backfire on those who wanted it pulled. Right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggle in Exile Posted November 5, 2003 Share Posted November 5, 2003 On her Web site last week, Streisand said criticism of the film was typical of “what the right wing does when they are faced with a truth that is not 100 percent positive for their side — they ... scream and yell until they get their way. Instead of boycotting and trying to have the movie changed, why don’t they all just wait to see the film when it airs like the rest of us.” I love Babs; her talent for singing campy showtunes is only surpassed by her vast reservoir of intelligence. If this were a hatchet job on the Clintons she'd be infinitely more shrill than the conservatives. We all pick and choose our things to be outraged about, but she's just a clown. She wants us all to sit through this dreck - even though the head of CBS even admitted that the miniseries was partisan: "It just doesn't work," Moonves told staffers. "Listen, we are not afraid of controversy, we'd go out there if it came in at 50-50, pro and con, but it simply isn't working. It's biased." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted November 5, 2003 Share Posted November 5, 2003 On showtime it will air and there will be a forum and call in afterwards apparently. Besides showtime is known for its fantasy shows unlike CBS which you consider to be a news channel thus fact based Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROSTY28 Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 REPUBLICANS UPSET OVER REAGAN MINI-SERIES HOLLYWOOD - Worried about how former President Reagan is portrayed in a CBS TV mini-series "The Reagans," the Republican Party is demanding that the network make changes to insure the series is historically accurate. Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie wants "completely fictional details" taken out such as a "made-up a storyline about an arms for hostages deal." Gillespie claims that the mini-series omits much of what supporters see as his key achievements including the story of Reagan personally leading the invasion of Granada, a military powerhouse in the Carribean, and therefore, saving the world from nuclear annihilation "I've read this script and it's full of inaccuracies," said Gillespie. "There's two pages in the script that say that during Reagan's term in office, the overall national debt tripled. Give me a break! Also, it has something about Black Monday (the stock market crash) happening on October 19, 1987. We want that date changed to when it really happened, October 19, 1997 when Bill Clinton was in office. After reading this script, the producers should have their dramatic licenses revoked!" The four-hour, two part film is to be aired on Nov. 16 and Nov. 18. The GOP wants major changes before it airs. “Where the hell is the scene of a younger Ronald Reagan testifying before the House Unamerican Activities Committee?” asks Gillespie. “Reagan personally rounded up 135 communist child actors who were threatening to overthrow the government. The script doesn’t mention that, does it? Every moment that Reagan saved this great nation is conveniently left out of the script.” As the firestorm of controversy surrounds the mini-series, CBS has said the film is fair and well-documented, based in part on Reagan's authorized biography, the former first lady's own memoir, and books written by his supporters. Critics say other troubling aspects include the casting of James Brolin, husband of outspoken liberal Barbara Streisand, as Reagan. They contend it's a deliberately provocative move. Brolin, who recently played the role of Fabbrizio Disguisey in Dana Carvey's "The Master of Disguises," argues that acting has nothing to do with politics. "When I spent a year researching the role of Fabbrizo Disguisey, I didn't bring my political baggage to the role," said Brolin. "When I'm acting, I'm in the zone. It's pure acting. It must have been the same thing for Harrison Ford when he played now former President James Marshall in 'Airforce One.'" How did Brolin prepare for the bigger-than-life role of Ronald Reagan? "I spent a couple of months looking at tapes of Rich Little doing the best damn Reagan I've ever seen!" The mini-series, from producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan ("The Music Man"), is in post-production, and The New York Times, which obtained a copy of the script, is preparing to go with an exclusive story tomorrow on the film. Sources at The Times say the article will reveal that “The Reagans” is actually a musical. "Ronnie and Nancy sing through the whole thing," said an insider at The Times. "There's also a great tap number with former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and there's a part at the end where Reagan wonders aloud while singing, 'Will the consequences of my economic programs leave the nation burdened with an out-of-control deficit and an unequal distribution of wealth that greatly favors the very rich?'" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panel Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 I'd be pissed if I was in a movie where I was depicted, as like a cowboy fan or somthin. I don't see why it is such a hassle to make a move based on real events, to actully be based on real events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinInsite Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Gee, where was the protest against all the god awful Kennedy miniseries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fansince62 Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 great idea pharaoh......it's time for a Clinton documentary/film...and it could be windowdressed - truthfully - with all the elements that comprise a hit TV show: blowjobs; celebrity influence and overnights; spousal acrimony; lies and intrigue; unresolved deaths; missing evidence; scandals galore.....let the Reagan drama play on unvarnished....but bring on a Clinton soap opera now!!!! the people demand it!! blabs...of course....would have no troubles with this...:rotflmao: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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