Right-wing "24" creator Joel Surnow will produce mini-series about the Kennedy family
The man responsible for trying to make torture a moral imperative for America now gets the opportunity to produce an eight-hour miniseries about the Kennedy family.
Joel Surnow is swapping “real time” political intrigue for historical realism. The “24″ co-creator is executive producing “The Kennedys,” an eight-hour miniseries about one of America’s most iconic political families, for the History Channel. Unlike “24,” however, “The Kennedys” will be as historically accurate as possible and not feature any gimmickry.
“We’re not trying to be too clever about it,” said Surnow, who developed the project with Muse Entertainment for the Network. “We’re just telling the story on an episode by episode basis.”
Surnow says he and series writer Steve Kronish were most interested in cobbling together a dynastic story about family ambition. “That some of the most important events of the 20th century, such as the Bay of Pigs or the civil rights movement, is in the background, is almost besides the point,” he said. Focusing on the idea of a father living out his ambitions through his sons (”primarily Jack and Bobby, though Teddy was in the mix”), the series — which Surnow likens more to a season of the “Sopranos” than a traditional miniseries — will take place between the years of 1960 and 1968, but with plenty of flashbacks, such as Joe Sr. being rejected by a Harvard club.
He's not a partisan hack at all. He simply makes the case that the Kennedys are just like the Sopranos, who made sure to whack as many people after they ate their cannolis and espresso as possible.
He also decries anyone who may try to tie his conservative politics into the project. “My politics have never guided my interest in stories and movies,” he said. “I completely understand where critics are coming from, because of my creating the ‘1/2 Hour News Hour’ show for Fox News and the issue over torture on ‘24.’ But it’s honestly not going to have much play in terms of where this story comes out. Steve Kronish is politically different from me, and at the end of the day, we’re telling a story about a family. So it’s not about the politics.” (Fox News is owned by News Corp, as is the Wall Street Journal.)
Now why would we think Surnow is a right-wing hack simply for creating a TV show that had to scale back the amount of torture he depicted and a comedy show for FOX News that attacked progressives and Democrats entirely.
Using Limbaugh and Coulter as your stars was just in good fun for Joel.
How stupid are we to think his politics would ever seep into this production?
Should be a fair and balanced mini-series. :/
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
(snicker)
what about a week in length anymore these days?
Can't George Soros cough up a few bucks for a mini-series on the Bush-crime-family? That, I'd love to see.
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
Sex bad.
Torture good.
Who do the Kennedys torture to death
The dangblasted revenuers?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
propagandist do a miniseries on a prominent family like the Kennedys.
The right has been trying to re-write history to paint the Kennedys as rich, ambitious people who didn't really give a damn about America or Americans. I've heard this "civil rights was a political calculation, low on the priority list" lie from Repukes many times.
See, only GOPers really love America. The Real America. And Real Americans. Everybody else is just trying to rip off hard-workin' rich folks and 'salt-of-the-Earth' rednecks.
Acid Repukes?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
"Americas Political mafia or just ignorant fools that happen to be popular"- future quote from Joel Surnow The Kennedys
Just wait bet that what this turns into. Whoever though this would be a good idea needs to be taken out back and beaten with sticks.
Who owns the History Channel these days any ways? Once one of my favorite channels, it has now devolved into pure sensationalist crap. Their biggest shows are those stupid fucking ghost and UFO hunting shows. The Universe is barely ever even on, and even that show has become sheer end-of-days sensationalism as well. The channel is run by complete jerk-offs these days, and I hardly ever watch it.
who wants to learn about ...History ...? jeez!
I'm Boycotting NewsCorp! Heres what not to buy: http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php?c=news...
Whyb A&E is called 'Arts' anymore is beyond me. It's more like Crime, Crime and More Crime.
me-oww!
back when I use to have cable ... and long before that it was like PBS only fun and without the begging ...
but Americans do NOT want to learn History ... it may keep them from repeating it.
I'm Boycotting NewsCorp! Heres what not to buy: http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php?c=news...
Actually, I'm (surprisingly) willing to give Surnow the benefit of the doubt for now and have a "wait & see" attitude on this project.
Though "24" has "glorified torture", they've taken a lot of heat for it lately, toned it down some, and even suggested there are consequences.
Also, I'm careful not to confuse "Fox Entertainment" with "Fox News". They've had a bit of a rivalry for years, with F.E. poking fun at F.N. quite a bit, as anyone who has watched "Family Guy" or "Wanda Sykes" can attest.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
you watch family guy? I bet you watch the Simpsons too. No wonder Americans are so dumbed down.
Family Guy is funny. Simpsons? Not so much.
is intended to be a factual statement
I like Family Guy too, especially Stewie.
The secret behind Family Guy is we're not laughing about the stupidity of Family Guy, Family Guy is laughing at the stupidity of us. Stewie is good but I relate more to Brian. He's a true progressive.
is intended to be a factual statement
Brian is a fave of mine. I always like it when 'Death' visits. What a hoot!
Not a fan of the Simpson's. Never was.
Some of my favorite lines from Family Guy:
Stewie: "Florida! Just think! Somewhere out there Jeb Bush is eating a live puppy!"
Brian: "Mr. President! They need you in New Orleans!"
Bush in his treehouse: "Go away! I'm reading Superfudge!"
Lois dreams of murdering Stewie: "Oh my God! I'm just like that woman in Texas that brain damaged her children! I'm just like Barbara Bush!"
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
I swear on the Simpsons
Family Guy's a lousy rip-off
And American Dad a rip-off of a rip-off
And Clarence a rip-off of a rip-off of a rip-off.
The only person who thinks Seth McFarland is edgy after so many years of Simpsons, Beavis and Butthead, and Southpark is Seth McFarland himself.
It would be a step up for him to get a job scrubbing the toilets of the crappy SNL.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Simpsons got old. Family Guy is the shit. You're just old. I bet you think Letterman is better than Conan. I kid, I kid. Hey, I was one of the first to own an "Air Bart" (Bart dunking like Michael Jordan) T-shirt back in the day.
is intended to be a factual statement
I assume you mean "Cleveland". That said while I enjoyed Family Guy at teh beginning, it is only occasionally humorrous now and never too original, although I enjoy the Star Wars parodies. The Simpsons were excellent, but have just run out of steam after 20 years. South Park the same, only in less time.
I'd love to see an edgier version of The Flintstones.
Wilma and Betty doin' it?
I was probably thinking of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjUGNoxAd9I
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
In the version I linked above....both couples are implied to be having sex. The full version is hysterical, and was the last Flintsones movie ever made and the last by William Hanna.
Also the Harvey Birdman episode "The Dabba Don" is pretty great too. Excellent parody of The Sopranos as well as The Flinstones.
Actually I'd love to see a new live action version of The Flintstones, starring Amy Yasbeck as Wilma, Sarah Silverman as Betty, Kenneth Branagh as Barney, Robert De Niro as Fred, Patrick Stewart as a prehistoric spy chief, Clive Owens as super spy Rock Sledge (who Fred is mistaken for during a Eurock vacation), and Hugo Blick as the villain in The Man Called Flintstone.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Versions never quite cut it with me, although the first one did have a lot of half naked muscle men in it.
A live-action Jetsons is in the works though, presumably for 2012.
You wouldn't want to see
http://images.starpulse.com/pictures/2007/11/...
And
http://daddycatchersrealm.files.wordpress.com...
In animal skins?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Has always looked good naked as he proved in ST:TNG.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea7bj5MsyAU
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
on Frasier.
hilarious!
me-oww!
Kelsey's Republicanitis.
Patrick Stewart in some earlier role than Picard:
http://bittetumirnichtsaberschenll.files.word...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Hugo Blick in 1989:
http://www.batmanmovieonline.com/gallery/1240...
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
you'd think you could go longer with an animated serious but it all gets old. Flintstones, Jestons, would both be good. Remember when Fred Flintstone smoked. Showing my age
is intended to be a factual statement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjUGNoxAd9I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qfmWWZ9uSE
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EgE6PbBEIc
is intended to be a factual statement
was EXCELLENT Television. Just that one bit, mind you.
While I love the Jetsons, they never were aimed at an adult audience, which The Flinstones originally were. Then they turned it into a kiddie farce with talking animals.
Although an edgier Jetsons would be funny too.
What I just finished watching on cd
(Minus the dang commercials),
http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/103853
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Oh, you're one of those who automatically equate animation with kiddie shows. Yes, very sophisticated of you. Try getting your head out of the 50's, dude.
There's always free cheddar in the mousetrap, baby. - Tom Waits
What are we going to learn that we already don't know about the Kennedy's? Considering who is doing this, I'll bet quite a bit. Like the levels a right wing person with connections in Hollywood will sink to to attack the most well known and respected Democratic family in America. But once again it'll be on FOX so they'll be preaching to the choir. So you'll be hearing a lot of "see, I told you so". Like a poster above me said, when will we see a mini series about the Bush/Cheney crime family?
is intended to be a factual statement
As a great many Americans don't really read, and aren't too concerned with facts, this movie/entertainment/series will become the "official history" of the Kennedy family for many viewers.
"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!
Is it fair and balanced?
What, Ron Jeremy wasn't available?
Who cares?
Also, is anyone surprised it took the conservatives this long to want to defecate on the Kennedys? I figured this nonsense would have started before Ted was in the ground.
Remember this one, "Bury Obamacare with Kennedy" Nothing but class from the right.
is intended to be a factual statement
I was referring to a miniseries or movie hit piece.
I am sorry that I was unclear.
Given how much whining from the right there was for any attempts act an accurate piece about Reagan, I just expected some kind of slime job when Ted Kennedy died.
TO IGNORE.
Since I have never seen either of the previous shows mentioned, I am going to say it is pretty easy to ignore such things.
I have never like sutherland as an actor and the whole premise of 24 is just so much fart gas made like everything on fox for the feeble minded idiots and morons!
a lot like politics ...
oh ...and boycott Newscorp:
http://www.cjr.org/resources/?c=newscorp
I'm Boycotting NewsCorp! Heres what not to buy: http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php?c=news...
Gaddamn! I forgot about the lame-ass Faux comedy show, what a fucking waste of time and money that was!
I still can't believe that was actually allowed on air. But then, consider the source...
You know what, I like 24.
Its not a liberal/conservative thing. Its a television show.
Same here. I'm not going to let Surnow's politics keep me from being entertained.
I like 24. It's the very best Bugs Bunny cartoon ever made about terrorism. The trick is you can't take it seriously. I watch it and laugh my ass off at the ridiculous shenanigans.
There's always free cheddar in the mousetrap, baby. - Tom Waits
I expect character assassination.
I will not accept less than the full significance: assassination of the president in 1963; assassination of the likely successor to Johnson.
In the former case, Dulles, Johnson, Hoover were the initiators and accessories after the fact; in the latter, certainly Helms operating on behalf of the shadow government.
Not interested in the Sy Hersh gossip re Marilyn and Gangsters and Drugs, O My.
This endeavor will likely be more of the legions of fairies a la Posner, Bugliosi, Moldea, peeing on our leg, assuring us it's raining.
is this the same guy that did the fake September 11 docudrama whose name escapes me now--featured Sandy Berger wetting his pants while Bin Laden got away?
"Surnow says he and series writer Steve Kronish were most interested in cobbling together a dynastic story about family ambition. “That some of the most important events of the 20th century, such as the Bay of Pigs or the civil rights movement"
I know of another family that has had its hands in several major historical events dating back to WW2 and they all seemed to be very family ambitious.
24 rocks. The comedy show was an EPIC FAIL. One of the biggest fails of the decade. What exactly was a supposed news channel doing with a comedy show anyway? And it wasn't even close to funny. What really got me was Stephanopolous airing clips of that disaster during the Sunday funnies segment on This Week in a weak attempt to show balance. Also a fail.
I agree with you 1000%. The HC has turned to shit!! A LOT of their programming more properly belongs on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) or EWTN (The Catholic Channel). These programs are religious clap-trap and sheer BS. A channel originally designed to educate and entertain people with the knowledge of history has devolved into a place for UFO nuts, rednecks (Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men) and right-wing religious wackos (Seven Deadly Sins, Etc.). I hardly ever watch it, either. I yearn for the days when the History Channel lived up to the nickname "The Hitler Channel".
Oh good, another right wing fantasy rewrite of history like the path to 9/11.
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