CBS has cancelled its "truthful" anti-Reagan hit piece

[Sikander]

Shifting 'Reagans' to Cable Has CBS Facing New Critics

Published: November 5, 2003

(Page 2 of 2)

At around the same time Michael Paranzino, a former Republican Congressional staff member from Betheseda Md., decided to start a Web site called BoycottCBS.com. He said he spent a mere $8.95 to establish the site, which called for a viewer boycott of CBS and all the sponsors of the mini-series.

Mr. Paranzino became a sort of grassroots spokesman against the television movie, appearing on conservative cable news programs including Bill O'Reilly's on Fox News and Joe Scarborough's on MSNBC. "We used technology that was not available 10 years ago to do in nine days what used to take months," Mr. Paranzino said. "We created a genuine, national, grass-roots movement that forced a broadcasting titan to cancel one of its key sweeps weeks series."

Last Friday, the Republican National Committee entered the fray. Ed Gillespie, the chairman, held a teleconference with journalists calling for CBS to appoint a team of historians and associates of Mr. Reagan to review the film for accuracy. In the absence of such a committee, he said, the network should run a scroll on the bottom of the screen during the mini-series reminding viewers that "The Reagans" is a fictional account.

The Republican National Committee then started a petition drive on its Web site supporting Mr. Gillespie's request.

Over the weekend, Newsweek reported that CBS was considering relegating the mini-series to Showtime, which has subscribers in about 14 million homes. (CBS is available in 108 million homes.) Yesterday, after Mr. Moonves concluded that the film could not be edited acceptably to run on CBS, the network confirmed the move.

The various conservatives who protested "The Reagans" said they did not coordinate their actions. "There wasn't time," Mr. Bozell said. "It was a desperate outcry. You can expect us to say something. You can expect Pat Buchanan to write a column. But when Lou Cannon, who has a track record of being in staunch disagreement with Reagan, when Merv Griffin — who hasn't been attending our vast right-wing conspiracy meetings — speaks out as forcefully as they did, that really tells you the depth of outrage."

The film producers, Mr. Zadan and Mr. Meron, issued a diplomatic statement yesterday. "Although we are disappointed that CBS will not be airing the movie that we produced for them, from the script that they approved, we are excited that Showtime has agreed to broadcast it and the public will have a chance to judge `The Reagans' on its own merits."

Still, CBS's decision upset some in Hollywood.

"It looks so bad," said Bill Maher, whose late night show, "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," was canceled by ABC shortly after he remarked that the Sept. 11 terrorists could not be called cowards. "It looks like they're caving in to pressure from one side. Why not let people decide?"

But others in Hollywood seemed to see both sides of the debate.

Marshall Herskovitz, the co-creator of television shows including "Thirtysomething" and "My So-Called Life," observed that CBS took a far stronger stand when it resisted pressure earlier this year from groups upset with "Hitler: The Rise of Evil." The network made some editing trims, adding in context about the political, social and economic environment as Hitler rose to power, but still broadcast the program.

But the fact that "The Reagans" will be viewed on Showtime, albeit with a far smaller audience, softened the impact of the abrupt decision to cancel the show on CBS, said Mr. Herskovitz. "As long as we have enough programming choices, then we have a better chance of seeing a diversity of options. If Viacom decides that Showtime is a better venue than CBS, I don't think that signals the end of the Republic."

Matthew C. Blank, the Showtime chairman, said he did not know what form the film would take, but it was safe to say that Showtime would not have the same concerns as CBS. "The producers and all of the filmmakers are as anxious to work with us as we are to work with them to ensure at the end of the day we have the best possible movie," he said. "That may be a different movie than what might have been the best possible movie for CBS viewers."

Still, Republicans promise to keep the pressure on.

"Misleading a smaller audience of viewers," Mr. Gillespie said in a statement, "is not a noble response to the legitimate concerns raised about this program."

[Q Classic]

What happened here illustrates that something fundamental has changed in America and perhaps the world. News of the CBS project began to leak and be reported on internet sites such as Drudge. People who read the reports spread the word. Talks shows, both left and right, began to discuss. The controversy spread to the major TV news networks, primarily competitors of CBS. Person after person who knew Reagan or was in his administration were interviewed and denounced the reported content of the movie as pure lies and defamation. Nancy Reagan was purported to be mortified because she was called Madam Fuhrer. She was further protrayed as a pill popping drug addict that controlled the US government through astrology.

CBS was flooded with protest. Boycotts of CBS and CBS advertisers were organized. Obviously, the advertisers were concerned. Many inside CBS were concerned, including the Chairman of the Board.

The crescendo of protest apparently grew so loud and the concerns of this CBS management and legal staff so great that they chose simply to cancel airing the movie.

Although this does show that Reagan remains very popular with the American people, it also shows the power of the Internet and talk radio to communicate directly to the people and to provide a forum for the people to express their outrage not only in words on the Internet or talk radio, but also in terms of protest letters and boycotts. This is new. Only 10 years ago, the media was largely controlled by a few networks and a few major newspapers. The average folk did not have direct access to express their views except in polite op-ed pieces which many times could never express the level of anger of the people because of heavy editing.

The recall of Gray Davis and the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger was another such phenomena of popular protest. The anti-Gray Davis campaign was organized on the Internet. Thousands upon thousands of angry and pissed-off citizens volunteered to collect signatures on petitions. The organizers had 2 million signatures collected in a very short time and were able to submit the petition well short of statutory deadline.

What does this is all mean? It clearly shows the stranglehold of opinion by the elite leftist media that prevailed in the United States for so long has been ended. The people are expressing their views, strongly. The left must be shaking in their boots.

i heard this exact same spiel from sean hannity. like, almost word for word.

and in regards to that opinion journal article, i have to say i love south park. especially with the episode about hating the richers and putting a lowercase t while dressing up as ghosts. funny as hell.

[Ned]

Well, the protests clearly alerted CBS management that someone with an agenda was trying to pull a fast one on CBS. The reports of significant concern from CBS News have to be true. This was not a case simply of CBS caving to popular protest on something CBS itself believed in. When they believe they are right, they stand their ground as was witnessed by their decision to not cave on the Hitler piece.

Had CBS decided to run "Reagan" with full knowledge of its content up front, I believe it would have stood its ground here. But what happened was bait and switch. What happened was indeed unfair to CBS.

Still, the proximate cause of CBS's review was the popular protests and the complaints from the Reagan family, all of whom denouced the mini-series. Their protests were heard, but probably were not decisive.

[realpolitic]

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
CBS's film had Reagan refering to himself as the Anti-Christ and saying about AIDS: "Those who live in sin die in sin"

This is slander, and has no place on the left. Reagan was so convincing because he believed what he said, even when it was "Trees cause 80% of all air pollution." and nuclear missiles were recallable. He was a buffoon, not a sociopath.

[Ned]

realpolitic, IIRC, Reagan actually said that trees give off ? (I do not remember what ? was, but it could be NO2) which was considered to be polution under the environmental laws. If this true, and I have no independent basis to confirm it or not, but it does go to show that certain of the laws or regulations are nonsense.

[Zylka]

Originally posted by St Leo

Of course, the only living great Canadian I can think of is Margaret Atwood. Meh.

HAHAHAHA you do know that her works are regarded as a complete joke in the proffessional community?

Oh boy! Another uneducated idiot of a self absorbed lesbian wants me to read The Handmaid's Tale as part of our "classic" literature course. WHAT AN ARTICULATE, CHILLING VIEW OF THE FUTURE THAT PILE OF S*** WAS

[realpolitic]

Ned, here are the some quotes from "The Great Communicator" including the "80% of all air pollution":
http://www.deoxy.org/reagan.htm

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ned
As reported by Drudge, CBS has heard the message of the people

A very small number of very right wing people. Once again, the right shuts down debate in the U.S. And you're proud. You're a sad excuse for an Amerian.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Ned
realpolitic, IIRC, Reagan actually said that trees give off ? (I do not remember what ? was, but it could be NO2)

Leaves, Ned, leaves. Leaves litter the gound and are thus pollution.

[Giancarlo]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


A very small number of very right wing people. Once again, the right shuts down debate in the U.S. And you're proud. You're a sad excuse for an Amerian.

Unfortunately for you, most people in the US like Reagan. And commies are the small pathetic majority...

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Fez
Unfortunately for you, most people in the US like Reagan. And commies are the small pathetic majority...

Unfortunately for you, most people in the US like Clinton. And extreme rignt-wing Spanish-Tialian-Argentinian fascist wannabes are the small pathetic majority...

[Giancarlo]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


Unfortunately for you, most people in the US like Clinton. And extreme rignt-wing Spanish-Tialian-Argentinian fascist wannabes are the small pathetic majority...

Most people like Clinton? That is like saying most Argentineans like Menem. Same kind of corruption. Same kind of idiocy.

Stupid idiot.. learn how to spell and get my nationality right.

Fortunately for the people who are proud of America, they do not think like you. Go join Castro, you commie loving freak.

[Kuciwalker]

Why does anyone care that they decided to pull it? It's not an issue with freedom of speech, because it was a decision by a private company not to air a program that they believed could hurt their ratings. So?

[Ned]

Originally posted by realpolitic
Ned, here are the some quotes from "The Great Communicator" including the "80% of all air pollution":
http://www.deoxy.org/reagan.htm

Interesting and somewhat biased site. I remember the quote itself and Reagan was talking about a gas emitted by trees that was the subject of regulation. I just do not recall which one, but I believe it was NO2. It would help if anyone here remembered the full quote and not just the leftist-spin misquote.

[Ned]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


A very small number of very right wing people. Once again, the right shuts down debate in the U.S. And you're proud. You're a sad excuse for an Amerian.

Debate?

[Ned]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


Leaves, Ned, leaves. Leaves litter the gound and are thus pollution.

Huh? Rotting leaves perhaps?

[realpolitic]

Here is some more info about Reagan:

66 Things to Think About When Flying Into Reagan National Airport by David Corn

The firing of the air traffic controllers, winnable nuclear war, recallable nuclear missiles, trees that cause pollution, Elliott Abrams lying to Congress, ketchup as a vegetable, colluding with Guatemalan thugs, pardons for F.B.I. lawbreakers, voodoo economics, budget deficits, toasts to Ferdinand Marcos, public housing cutbacks, redbaiting the nuclear freeze movement, James Watt.

Getting cozy with Argentine fascist generals, tax credits for segregated schools, disinformation campaigns, "homeless by choice," Manuel Noriega, falling wages, the HUD scandal, air raids on Libya, "constructive engagement" with apartheid South Africa, United States Information Agency blacklists of liberal speakers, attacks on OSHA and workplace safety, the invasion of Grenada, assassination manuals, Nancy's astrologer.

Drug tests, lie detector tests, Fawn Hall, female appointees (8 percent), mining harbors, the S&L scandal, 239 dead U.S. troops in Beirut, Al Haig "in control," silence on AIDS, food-stamp reductions, Debategate, White House shredding, Jonas Savimbi, tax cuts for the rich, "mistakes were made."

Michael Deaver's conviction for influence peddling, Lyn Nofziger's conviction for influence peddling, Caspar Weinberger's five-count indictment, Ed Meese ("You don't have many suspects who are innocent of a crime"), Donald Regan (women don't "understand throw-weights"), education cuts, massacres in El Salvador.

"The bombing begins in five minutes," $640 Pentagon toilet seats, African- American judicial appointees (1.9 percent), Reader's Digest, C.I.A.-sponsored car-bombing in Lebanon (more than eighty civilians killed), 200 officials accused of wrongdoing, William Casey, Iran/contra.

"Facts are stupid things," three-by-five cards, the MX missile, Bitburg, S.D.I., Robert Bork, naps, Teflon.

David Corn, March 2, 1998, The Nation

[Drake Tungsten]

I agree with Zylka; Margaret Atwood is indeed complete shite. I'll never forgive that stupid lesbo prof who forced me to read Atwood's god-awful work.

[mindseye]

While it's certainly true that President Reagan remained silent while thousands died of AIDS, it's worth remembering that at long last he proclaimed October 1988 National AIDS Awareness Month.

Unfortunately, he made this announcement on November 1st, 1988.

The Gipper.

[Tingkai]

Ahh, Reagan was always good for a laugh. He was such a complete idiot. Like the time he talked about fighting in World War II when he had spent the entire way in Hollywood.

He is a perfect mascot for the Republicans, although Bush Junior is making a good run for the post.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by notyoueither


Mike Harris was pretty good.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Ahh, Reagan was always good for a laugh. He was such a complete idiot. Like the time he talked about fighting in World War II when he had spent the entire way in Hollywood.

He is a perfect mascot for the Republicans, although Bush Junior is making a good run for the post.

This kind of sentiment only goes to show that Canada has fallen into a great abyss of ignorance that even a great leader such as Reagan could not rescue her from.

If ever I had a choice to place a branch office in Canada, I would say no, emphatically no. The place is hopeless.

[Drake Tungsten]

Hey, there's nothing wrong with Regina.

[KrazyHorse]

Your "make a dumbass proclamation as though delivering the Sermon on the Mount" bit is getting tired.

Especially when it comes to insults. Didn't you supposedly go to law school or something?

Take a lesson from Drake. He used to be a really boring-ass poster too, but now I read what he writes and generally enjoy it.

[Drake Tungsten]

Take a lesson from Drake. He used to be a really boring-ass poster too, but now I read what he writes and generally enjoy it.

Thank you. It's amazing how much better a person you can become once you stop giving a ****.

[KrazyHorse]

You in the hall of shame yet?

[Drake Tungsten]

I can only aspire to having sunk that low.

[KrazyHorse]

If I'm around when they have the next one I'll lend you a vote. I got a couple other names in mind too...

EDIT: ****, I'm supposed to teach class tomorrow.

What the **** am I supposed to tell them, other than:
"Congratulations; I just finished correcting your midterms, and you've achieved a class average of 55% on a test which bordered on trivial. I'm giving up on being your TA and will instead devote the rest of my life to training fleas to swim. It couldn't possibly be more frustrating".

[Rufus T. Firefly]

No way I'm getting involved in this pissing contest, but since this thread is still active I thought you all might appreciate this cartoon.

[notyoueither]