'Dutch' Uncle
by Geoff Metcalf
October 27
CBS is in jeopardy of a cruel reality check that could and
should cost some executives their jobs. The two part miniseries
that CBS apparently intends to run during the crucial November
sweeps may well have the opposite effect network programmers'
desire.
Traditionally networks try to walk the razors edge in offering
programming that pushes the envelope while concurrently remaining
'sensitive' to whom they offend. The ultimate objective is
to acquire the largest audience. Audience, after all, is REALLY
the product…not the program or the star. It is the audience
that is sold to sponsors. Sponsors are 'buying' the audience
to whom they deliver their sales pitch.
It is counter intuitive, and professionally disastrous, to
choose 'edgy' over reason. Careers are made and lost over
the delicate balance of how far networks can push the envelope
before reaching the point of diminishing return.
CBS appears about to permit a sycophant political philosophy
and prejudice to blowback into potentially epic negative consequences.
The Reagan miniseries, according to the New York Times and
Matt
Drudge, is less a 'history' and much more a left wing
hatchet job on a much loved conservative icon.
The monumental bad judgment of the CBS brass is compounded
by the tragic fact that the subject of their revisionist vitriol
has Alzheimer's and is dying.
Since Ronald Reagan (the personification of conservative
values and principles) is incapable of defending himself,
CBS is forcing the legions of those who respect and admire
the man to do the heavy lifting…and they will.
Jim Rutenberg in the New
York Times noted, "that this deconstruction of his
presidency is shot through a liberal lens, exaggerating his
foibles and giving short shrift to his accomplishments."
Already there are efforts to organize boycotts of CBS and
those businesses that choose to advertise in the mean spirited
revisionist effort to denigrate the Reagans.
This is NOT censorship or armchair programming. It is market
reality. CBS most certainly can put whatever they want on
the air. It is their candy store. However, they cannot compel
audiences to watch. And there are consequences to things we
do and don't do.
It is impossible to present entertainment product that will
not offend 'somebody'. The objective (usually) is to attract
the most number of likely prospects for whatever product is
advertising. However, when the vehicle becomes so contentious
as to drive away audience AND advertisers, the negative consequences
'should' outweigh the 'creative' desire to proselytize.
The collection of personalities connected with this project
precluded any possibility of an evenhanded, objective chronicling
of the Reagan's. However, obviously, the objective was never
to recount history but to excoriate the living symbol of producer's
philosophic wrath.
Hollywood, Barbara Streisand, and the producers Neil Meron
and Craig Zadan loathe Ronald Reagan. CBS Chairman Les Moonves
(Clinton buddy) is ultimately responsible. Reagan is anathema
to the liberal sycophant gospel. Notwithstanding protestations
to the contrary, the pretentious political correct dogma of
the left remains systemic at CBS.
It is significant to note the film was vetted and approved
by CBS lawyers and the suits at Sony Pictures Television.
This is not a covert hit piece by producers in thrall of Barbara
Streisand.
Ronald Reagan was not and is not a perfect man. However,
he was a remarkable man who achieved remarkable things. The
net results of his long life is extraordinary and should be
acknowledged. Rather, (no pun intended) CBS has chosen to
diminish an icon, apparently, to accommodate a political ideology
that remains antithesis to a magnificent legacy.
In an effort to defend the indefensible, producer Meron said:
"This is not a vendetta, this is not revenge. It is about
telling a good story in our honest sort of way. We all believe
it's a story that should be told." That quote has to
be the most disingenuous, duplicitous crock of excrement since
Bill Clinton said; "I did not have sex with that woman."
The New York Times noted, "some involved in the making
of the movie said that they were girding for a considerable
outcry from some of Reagan's more die-hard supporters."
THAT is grossly inadequate a means of articulating what should,
and may happen. Not just "more die-hard supporters"
are and will be outraged. Even left wing die-hards have acknowledged,
"it is a hit piece", "payback time", and
"this could hurt democrats more than the Gray Davis recall."
The Reagans is a 'Kill Bill' without the hacked off body
parts. It is petty, mean spirited character assassination
and it demands vengeance.
CBS has every right to do whatever they want. However, they
are a public company with a responsibility to a board of directors
with a responsibility to shareholders. Expect advertisers
to seek "the greater part of valor" and disengage
from the controversy.
'Heavens Gate' once brought down a film studio. 'The Reagans'
has the potential of significantly impacting on the entire
November sweeps for CBS.
Yes, payback IS a bitch! There ARE consequences…
©
2002 Tocqevillian Magazine
