TV Takes on Terror: Networks plan numerous 9/11 specials

[villager]

TV takes on terror
Nets set 9/11 specials

By MICHAEL LEARMONTH, JOHN DEMPSEY



NEW YORK -- Five years after the 9/11 attacks that changed the nation, U.S. networks will mark the event with a variety of in-depth explorations. It's a shift from the straightforward memorializing that characterized the first anniversary. "A year later it was too raw," said CNN terrorism expert Peter Bergen. "After five years, I think we have some perspective, but it may still be too soon."

In the coming weeks, networks from ABC and CBS to the History Channel and Discovery will be parsing 9/11 on its fifth anniversary. Topic gained added urgency through the thwarted attempt to blow up trans-Atlantic aircraft last week -- a reminder that the terrorists had their own plan to mark the occasion.

The brutality of 9/11 was captured in unprecedented detail by amateur photographers, news crews and documentary filmmakers that day. The second plane, the burning towers and their eventual collapse were witnessed by hundreds of millions on live TV.

Those images and the subsequent investigations serve as the source material for dozens of specials, documentaries and miniseries in the coming weeks. Perhaps the most ambitious programming initiative is ABC's attempt to dramatize the 9/11 Commission Report with the two-night, four-hour miniseries "Path to 9/11."

Conceived two years ago, the production stars Harvey Keitel, Shirley Douglas and Patricia Heaton. It sports a cast of 247 and lensed in 20 countries. "It was an enormous undertaking," said ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson, who consulted former network chief Brandon Stoddard, producer of 1983's "The Day After," the net's nuclear cautionary tale.

<snip>

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117948403?categoryid=14&cs=1

[arcane1]

1. reason #2,586,294 why I don't own a tv

looks like the networks are planning to have Halloween early this year :puke:

[IsIt1984Yet]

2. boogie, boogie, boogie. Just in time for mid-term elections.

I can see it now... mark my words, there will be at MINIMUM 3 more terra "scares" between now and the elections.

Scare tactics worked in '04.

[Dr Fate]

3. Was Pearl Harbor ever celebrated as some kind of wonderful event?

Of course not.

What country do I live in?

[NYCGirl]

10. Films made during the time that featured Pearl Harbor:

"Victory Through Air Power" (1943)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0036497/

"Pride of the Marines" (1945)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0038000/

"Air Force" (1943)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0035616/

"December 7th" (1943)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0035790/

"Stand By For Action" (1942)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0036386/

"The Navy Comes Through" (1942)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0035113/

"We've Never Been Licked" (1943)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0036518/

"Remember Pearl Harbor" (1942)
http://imdb.com/title/tt0035249/

and more:

http://imdb.com/keyword/pearl-harbor/

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. That's fine

It means more people will be talking about 9-11 again. More people will be asking questions. More people will be finding out that the Official Conspiracy Theory is a load of bunk.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

5. I wonder if any will mention the fact that Bush has still not..

..captured the alleged perpetrator of the attacks, Osama bin Laden.

[villager]

6. The Dems will have to grow spines and actually mention this...

over and over on the campaign trail...

[Dr Fate]

7. Why?- and ruin a perfectly warm & fuzzy "feel good" presentation?

9/11 is to be CELEBRATED by the GOP/media- a Hallmark Moment where we use it to show how much we love firemen, flag pins and Republican Mayors & Presidents- there is no room on a network news program for that kind of analysis.

If anything, you will be re-introduced tot he concept that "Bush did a good job on that day" and "really brought the country together."

[louis-t]

8. As I said in '02, Bush didn't "bring the country together"

the people of America brought themselves together. His shining moment was standing on rubble (that he may have been partly responsible for) with a bullhorn. It was all downhill from there.

[Dr Fate]

9. YOU saying it and Democrats with media access saying it...

...are 2 different things.

If I were in front of cameras, I would be even bolder- I would remind the viewer that 9/11 itself happened on Bush's watch.

The response would be "But no one could have stopped it..."

The counter response would be- "Who says it couldnt have been stopped, had we had a competent, intelligent President who was actually paying atention?"

Of course,I realize that Dr Fate saying that and DEMS with media access saying that are 2 different things.

One will never happen.

[villager]

11. hmmm... have the people of America brought themselves together

yet?

There's still a quite-toxic rightwing element willing to exploit the 9/11 deaths for all they're worth...

[villager]

12. "This meme brought to you by..."

n/t

[CatholicEdHead]

16. It's "Patriot Day" isn't it?

:puke: :wtf:

[LTR]

13. Is there gonna be a 9/11 parade?

With floats, balloon cartoon characters and marching bands, sponsored by Macy's?

[villager]

14. sure, to celebrate the cancelled elections and the official

coronation...

[SpiralHawk]

15. How could any honest reporter look at 9/11, and come to any conclusion

other than LIHOP or MIHIOP?

It's just not possible.

But then then corrupt republicon media corporations do not hire honest reporters.

[villager]

18. they don't even hire "reporters" anymore. They hire

stenographers...

As Mr. Colbert noted...

[Rainscents]

17. History Channel last night was running 9/11 show

Talk about LIES! Jebus, they were spilling lies none stop! I stop watching it after three minutes. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[elehhhhna]

19. Howzabout an Anthrax Attack 5 Year Anniversary Special ??? OOPSIE:

that only killed a few black people.

Never mind.

[villager]

20. Plus such a special would have to ask:

How come they haven't found the guilty Republicans yet? And when will they strike again?

[Poiuyt]

21. Patricia Heaton is in it?

This is going to be one big Bush-fest

[villager]

22. Is she a Bushbot?

n/t

[Poiuyt]

23. She is VERY conservative

Pro-life, pro-Bush, pro-Iraq War

[villager]

24. oy -- well, obviously she "liked" the script, then...

n/t