K Street Thread - HBO - 1035 PM EST

[mandyky]

Some DUers have asked for those of us with HBO/cable to run a thread on the new show K Street. According to blogforamerica, Howard Dean, James Carville, and Paul Begala will be among the people covered.

Anyone who would like to help type what is happening on the show, jump right in. I am taping it so I can come back an do additions where necessary.

[soothsayer]

1. So funny! K street was "the" power place in the '80s

But I don't think it's a happenin' spot anymore. Mebbee CT ave, or heck, it might be Reston these days.

That show is already dated! (imho, as a native washingtonian)

[mandyky]

3. Thanks for the trivia!!

From the commercials I assume some of this will be about lobbyists. Maybe the person thought K Street would be more recognizable by non-Washingtonians.... Regardless, My man, Howard Dean will be on, so I intend to watch...

[pruner]

2. I was under the impression that Carville & his wife Mary Matalin were…

among the "stars" of the show.

I know that other pundits, politicians and lobbyists will be making guest appearances and I figured that's what Begala and Dean's involvement in tonight's epsiode amounted to, though I may be wrong.

[ronzo]

4. Washington Monthly's K street article....

... hey, it's relevant!

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2003/0307.confessore.html

I'm looking forward to the HBO show. Sounds intriguing.

cheers!

[pruner]

5. from Dean's blog

Two of the show's stars, James Carville and Paul Begala, wrote yesterday for this blog:

Millions of people who never watch "Crossfire" or "Meet the Press" will see Gov. Dean on HBO Sunday night. They'll see an unvarnished, unscripted, plain-speaking guy who really wants to take the fight to President Bush. In a world in which too many politicians are seen as phonies, Gov. Dean comes across as the real thing. What you see is what you get.

We had fun, and hope Gov. Dean did. K Street is groundbreaking television--part fiction, part reality show, part documentary. We hope you like the show. We know you'll like how your candidate did.

http://blogforamerica.com/

[mandyky]

6. James Carville

"independent addict", by his wife Mary, for agreeing to see Howard Dean for debate advice.

[LalahLand]

34. Why doesn't James Carville run for President?

I think he'd win by a landslide. Sense of humor is always a good thing.

[FlashHarry]

89. You're joking, right?

Carville wouldn't win a single state. I love the guy--don't get me wrong--but you'd be hard pressed to name a worse candidate.

[liberalnurse]

7. Thanks to all DU'er who will be providing

us non-accessable DU'ers with the scoop! I'm at work....

I suspect this will be repeated throughout the week on one of the HBO channels....I hope so..

Thaks again... :hi:

[mandyky]

8. Who's Tommy Flanagan?

He called Paul Begala to help with the Howard Dean thing.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

26. He's an actor-John Slattery

He was in 'Sex and the City' as Carrie's love interest a few seasons back.

[pruner]

27. Tommy Flanagan is a fictional character

as is the blond who ratted out Carville for prepping Dean. .

she's played by Mary McCormack, who was Howard Stern's (ex) wife in the movie "Private Parts".

she was also one of the stars of the long-since-cancelled show "Murder One".

[kentuck]

51. Probably a play on Tommy Boggs...

The son of ex-Senators Hale and Lindy Boggs, and one of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington...

[catzies]

88. And Cokie Roberts' brother

n/t

[bspence]

82. He's being played by Jon Lovitz from SNL

"Yeah, that's the ticket!"

(I'm a supernerd for knowing that character's name was Tommy Flanagan?) :)

[mandyky]

9. So, I wonder are Matlin and Carville really in a firm?

Now the blonde GOP chick is ratting out Carville for helping Dean, to someone I don't recognize...

[AmericanErrorist]

10. The Doctor Is In

And So's Paul Begala.

[Sean Reynolds]

11. Well we see where Dean got the Trent Lott line!

:-D

[skeptic9]

91. Brilliant marketing... Wanting to see Carville feed Dean the Trent...

... Lott/Martin Luther King line certainly was the main reason I myself tuned into HBO last night. And it sounds as if millions of other people tuned in for exactly the same reason.

On the tube, in a show apparently taped long before last Tuesday's debate in Baltimore, we hear the Lott/King line twice. First, Carville feeds the line to Dean in a practice session. Then, in a "real" debate staged for the HBO audience, we hear Dean deliver the line. Finally, we remember how Dean used the line in the debate we saw "live" last Tuesday.

We're being "programmed" to blur the line in our own minds between fiction and reality, and to be sure to tune in to HBO again next week!

[AmericanErrorist]

12. Carville and Begala are

giving real advice to to real presidentail canadate (Dean) ona fake TV show.

Most intersesting.

[tjdee]

13. Carville gave Dean the Trent Lott line.

I'm confused...

Aren't some of these people actors? Which ones?
"Tommy Flanagan" and that annoying blond telling all the Republicans that Carville is prepping Dean??

[LalahLand]

14. Paul tells Dean to not come across as angry...

Is that a good idea? I think his "anger" may be partially what attracted me to Dean in the first place. I can't see his message resonating as much if accompanied by a "friendly smile."

[tjdee]

17. He told him to be the "happy warrior"

and if you think now of the debate, it's clear that he's following that advice a little, but I don't think he's going to magically become Happy Howie...

[AP]

48. Lot of DU'ers have said Dean shouldn't be so angry and they get chastized

Now that Begala says it, does that mean Begala's wrong, or does it mean all the DU'ers who've said the same thing will get a little credit?

[tjdee]

53. Well, I saw how smart Begala and Carville are.

That's for sure. It's clear that they know what they're doing....eh, I guess that's why they make the big bucks.

I don't like the anger either, and I think there was discussion that night about how Dean seemed to lighten up...well, now we know why. Um, at least, I think there was discussion about Dean lightening up that night. :silly:

[BuckIGirl]

15. Good Or Bad?

I am watching this tonight, I am not sure of this is a good thing or a bad thing? My husband says this is a good thing b/c it gets DEAN's name out there as well as his face.

What does every one think?

[madfloridian]

44. I thought it was great to show the power workings.

I think Dean was a good sport to be used that way, and I see no way it can hurt him. Makes him look very human.

[wheresthemind]

46. uhhh

I think Dean really DID call Carville and this is how it all worked out.

All the prep was real.

[madfloridian]

54. Yes, Dean knew it was being taped. It was real.

He called, yes, and knew it would be public.

[BattyDem]

60. I think it's good for Dean

He was very down to earth and he showed his humorous side. (Loved the accent, Howie!) Also, Matalin made some comments about him not being liked by the Dem establishment - I think that will increase his appeal among independents and Dems who are fed up with the Washington insiders.

[newyawker99]

71. Hi BuckIGirl!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Skwmom]

76. BAD

This will make one great campaign commercial for Rove and Co.

[mandyky]

16. Hmm, James Carville as a political "addict"

This show is hard to do a blow by blow.

[tjdee]

18. Roger Guenveur Smith!!! YES!

That black guy....Roger Smith...he's an AMAZING actor, I'm very pleased to see him on this show. Awesome.

[mandyky]

25. OK, any questions??

Maybe that will be easier. I am rewinding tape and playing it over.

[tjdee]

37. If you can get what Francisco Dupree was saying?

At the end, that whole conversation, all I got was that basically, he wanted to work with them. That's all I got though. What was his deal with the dictionary?

[madfloridian]

40. And who the heck is he?

Is he a real person? Weird guy.

[tjdee]

47. No, he's an actor.

His name is Roger Guenver Smith, and I :loveya: him.

Yeah, he's weird, though--it was kind of weird, though, because we know Matalin and Carville aren't actors, it was just....I'm going to say weird again, LOL.

[BattyDem]

57. Dupree and the dictionary ...

Not really sure where he was going with that.

It was funny when Dupree left and Carville read the definition of "bizarre" - somehow that seemed like a totally real Carville moment.

[skeptic9]

87. The "IOU" is the one Carville and Matalin owe to "Bergstrom"

Don't you remember the brilliant ruse Carville uses to get his wife to quit chastizing him, near the opening of the show? In the middle of being berated about signing on to prepare Howard Dean for the debate, Carville says, "I've got something else we need to talk about". He says that "Bergstrom" called and told him to "give him a job" (the Guenver Smith character). Matalin says, "So this is a 'must-hire', not a 'give-my-daughter-an-interview'?" Sounds to me like an IOU is being called in.

[tjdee]

19. Matalin's reaction to the Trent Lott line--PRICELESS!!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

She sat there with her mouth open, it was worth seeing the whole show (IMO,LOL) just to see the look on her face when Dean let loose with her husband's line!

[AmericanErrorist]

20. This helps to put Democratic politcs back

into the National discourse. Us Dems need all the visibilty they gan get this year.

[mandyky]

21. Mary Matlin almost had kittens

when Dean made the MLK/ Trent Lott thing
James Carville was there and fell into the isle laughing.

[tjdee]

22. A half hour, that's it?

Hmm.

It was interesting, need to see more. Liked seeing Carville and Begala work, that was good.

[mandyky]

23. I like the show, but explaining it is really hard

Check Kaaza and see if anyone uploads a copy.

[tjdee]

32. It is, it moves really fast. ***PLOT RECAP***

Overall, what we've seen is:

*Matalin and Carville have a firm together (is this true?) for lobbying, PR. Supposed to be bipartisan. Some guy Bergstrom (is this a real guy?) wants them to hire Francisco Dupree (why they HAVE to hire him is unclear, hey, it's a fictional show).

*Carville "the political addict" caused big ruckus by prepping a presidential candidate (Dean). Some blond assistant visits 2 GOP guys and says hey, heads up he's doing this, but he's doing it independently of the firm.

*Dean/Carville/Begala prep. Afterwards, Carville says there's something rotten smelling in Manhattan/with the Bergstrom guy/the Dupree guy.

*The debate Dean was prepping for, he uses Carville's line and Matalin, at home watching, is horrified. She also gets lots of calls about it.

*Dupree watches the debate, next day (?) meets with Matalin and Carville, says he is excited to work with them, invites them the next week to be his guests at a Branford Marsalis show. They say yes (isn't this kind of weird, to offer your new bosses dinner and a show).

There were things I missed, though, I'm sure. Moves really quickly, very interesting concept.

[liberalnurse]

24. Gee that was short but Oh-So-Sweet!

This really will help me get throught the night....I didn't want to use a vacation day.....

DU is so Cool. :yourock:

[Sean Reynolds]

28. I'm confused.

If this show is fake, was the Dean prep real?

[mandyky]

30. I don't think the show is fake

some people are actors, but I think the event really happened..

[Sean Reynolds]

35. Thanks.

No matter what though Dean did VERY well! :)

[ronzo]

45. Real and Fake.

I'm sure Slate will straighten us out. :)

[ronzo]

29. What the hell was that? n/t

[patrice]

31. K Street - OKAY!

Hey, that worked for me.

Loved seeing the dialectic at work.

Loved seeing my guy Howard Dean!

I have to say the camera work was really interesting too. Considering what they were doing, they got some amazing shots!

Can they sustain this kind of tense atmosphere?

I liked Soderberg before I saw this, now I've got real respect for him.

[madfloridian]

33. Did anyone catch when Mary said Dean did not suit the power guys?

Those were not her exact words, but she was furious because he was advising him.....he was not liked by the establishment.

Well, guess what, we figured that out this week, I do believe, from the "letter."

Who was the guy who was also on Sex in the City for a while?

[madfloridian]

36. Also she said he is hurting things they have had in place for year??

Ok, clue me. And the Sleazy type whom they were interviewing.

Strange show, but fascinating.

[AP]

70. And she's definitely going to be telling the truth.

I don't think for a minute that she'd lie in order to encourage democrats to nominate somebody who won't cost her a job.

[Skwmom]

77. My goodness.

A Democrat with critical thinking skills. Too bad there's not more like you.

[wheresthemind]

38. two thumbs up here

that was amazing... very exciting...

this and Carnival will have to hold me over till Six Feet Under returns...

i LOVE HBO

[mandyky]

39. Mary and James may get a divorce over

helping Dean. "Dean is contrary to potential clients we have sitting on the fence." - Mary Matlin

[wheresthemind]

41. hehe, all for ratings?

; )

[tjdee]

43. Was she talking about DEAN, or Carville helping a pres. candidate?

Maybe we can get another person to weigh in here, I think what you and madfloridian are picking up on is Matalin's upsetness at what Carville is doing (going outside of the firm to help a Dem presidential candidate). Obviously, none of the Republicans like Dean, but I don't think it was all about him. Ummm...was it? Very quick moving show....you were smart to tape it!

[madfloridian]

50. I thought she was very upset over James helping Dean....

Sounds like their firm does all kinds of work, not just with Republicans. She did not want him working with Dean, because Dean did not suit (paraphrase) the powers that be.

[tjdee]

56. Okay, that went right over my head.

I didn't catch that.
I'll be watching the rerun, whenever this week it is.

[madfloridian]

58. Watch to be sure we did not misinterpet.

Hard to follow the show....really unusual.

[BattyDem]

42. Too short, but I liked it

It was weird how they mixed fantasy and reality. The only actor I recognized right away was John Slattery, but I knew all the political people, so I figured anyone I didn't recognize was probably an actor.

I was LMAO at the look on Matalin's face when Dean used the Trent Lott line. It was priceless!

[mandyky]

49. This show (episode) will drive independent voters to Dean

Washington establishment is SOOOOOO scared of Dean, watching the segment with the blonde with Nichols.

[mandyky]

52. Dean did an excellent southern accent

skit about James going to Vermont.

[mandyky]

55. Even in practicing Dean rolls up his shirt sleeves ...

as he's preparing to prepare with James and Paul.

[madfloridian]

59. Ok, who was the guy who was Sex in the City for a while.

At least I think so, Carrie's guy.

[madfloridian]

61. What did Carville mean about something in the wind with Berstram?

Not sure of the name. He said something is going on, feelings he has.

[tjdee]

63. Bergstrom was the man who sent Dupree.

That's why Dupree was the "must hire", because Bergstrom had called Carville about him.

Probably foreshadowing for upcoming shows.

[kentuck]

65. He plays both sides...

was my impression...and will spy for either if the price is right.

[madfloridian]

66. From CA, both sides of the bay......

He referred to Willie Brown and another Brown??/

[kentuck]

68. Governor Jerry Brown...

Back when he was Governor. But I think there was more in the comment than that. He was just polished shit...and as James was looking in the dictionary for "bizarre", Mary thought he was "mysterious"...

[kentuck]

62. It was seedy and disturbing...

All the worst things you thought about Washington and lobbyists is shown to be true. Howard Dean, whom I like, has thrown in with a pack of wolves. It's all a game to them. They don't care about the people. It's about special interests...and it doesn't matter if they are Dems or Repubs. It's about making money and getting legislation blocked or passed that benefits them. If they make money, the lobbyists make money.

I find the Carville and Matalin characters disgusting. James has sold his soul to the Devil. He was scared shitless to speak up and say something that Mary might disagree with...and I don't think it was an act. He could be a great asset to our Party but, in my opinion, he has become a special interest for himself and Mary Matalin. And from the way Mary Matalin reacted when Dean used the Carville line, his life at home has probably been holy Hell since the debate. Don't hold back, James. Come back to the fold. Let Mary do what the hell she wants to do and you do what is right for the country.

[madfloridian]

67. You are right.

I felt that way this week over the letter from the Pelosi, Berman group, whoever wrote it.

It all has a sleazy feel.

[Cha]

64. I didn't see the show but I heard that Paul Begala was the one

who encourged Al Gore to "roll his eyes during the debate with bush" so Dean might want to take that into consideration as far as anyone "helping" him with those "debates".. Of course, just because I read that doesn't make it true so that remains to be verified.

But I think if Al and Dean are just being themselves ..they will do Great!

[mandyky]

69. OK, I can't stand it - watching my tape of the debate!!

Gotta hear Dean say the MLK/Trent Lott thing for real, again!

[AmericanErrorist]

72. HBO will re-air

this epison of K Street at

Mon 9/15 08:30 PM E/P on HBO2
Wed 9/17 08:35 PM E/P on HBO
Fri 9/19 10:30 PM E/P on HBO
Sun 9/21 11:15 AM E/P on HBO2

also some late night airing throuout the week, go to http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&ID=102234 for complete times.

[onecitizen]

73. DARN!! I fell asleep before it came on!!

Was it worth it? Was it good? Darn,darn,darn!

[seaglass]

74. Excellent show.

I would recommend reading Carville and Matalin's book "All's Fair" which is about the '92 election, how they met and built their relationship. It's mostly about election strategies.

I'm intrigued by their relationship, Carville clearly loves Matalin and he does sometimes come across as subservient to her, but in the end he does and says what he wants to. Matalin has for years had to defend herself within her party because he does zing the Repubs, I don't think this is going to destroy their relationship. It's more like a day in the life of Carville and Matalin.

I do believe that a lot of this is a game, or more accurately, a job. Same with the screaming pundits, Tucker Carlson (on Booknotes yesterday) stated that he gets along well personally with Carville and Begala. Things are not what they appear on the surface.

One of the most interesting parts of K street was when Dean suggested that he was going to make the statement about the other candidates not speaking about race in front of white audiences. Obviously the press was not good on this line and it was proven to be untrue. So did Begala have a responsibility to tell Dean what the reaction might be, did he know? Were Begala and Carville helping more with delivery and tone than content?

I liked the clip with Santorum. I liked the idea that one really needs to think to separate fact from fiction. It was very fast, I couldn't even read the credits at the end. Can't wait to watch it again.

[tjdee]

80. So are they actors now?

That's my only 'Whhaaaa?' thing about the show.
Dean obviously just interacted with Carville and Begala, so he didn't really have to think about "the show".

But Carville and Matalin, I'm SOOO confused, LOL. It's really hard to improv, and they're not actors, so I'm wondering if they're going to be in it the whole time, or what....it's definitely enough to keep me watching, though.

Oh, and Roger. :loveya:

[seaglass]

81. So many layers.

Carville and Matalin are consultants to the show, they "play" consultants on the show and they are consultants in real life. Isn't it great?

I think Carville and Matalin will continue to be part of the cast.

Who is Roger?

[tjdee]

85. Francisco Dupree.

Roger Guenveur Smith plays Dupree...awhile back he did a one man show based on the life of Black Panther Huey Newton, it was very good.

[Arkady]

86. Bipartisanship

I do believe that a lot of this is a game, or more accurately, a job. Same with the screaming pundits, Tucker Carlson (on Booknotes yesterday) stated that he gets along well personally with Carville and Begala. Things are not what they appear on the surface.

You quickly discover, when working on the Hill, that people who can't get along with members of the other party, especially Hill staffers, don't have an especially bright future ahead of them in politics. Politics is very important; that's why those of us working on the Hill are here, but you have to have a little perspective. Not everything in Washington comes down to party politics (says the guy whose last two girlfriends have been Republican staffers).

[robbedvoter]

75. Remember "Tanner"? A fictional presidential candidate

running against the real contenders - I think during 1988, Like this it had real caracters. election facts mixed in with this fictional character/campaign - and was running in parallel with the real thing. This has potential.

[FlashHarry]

90. Yeah! Michael Murphy, right?

I seem to remember seeing it on HBO.

[mandyky]

78. I was so excited last night, that I was sleepless

First I rewatched the tape of the show, then I watch my tape of the Fox Debate, and then I watched Dean's DNC winter meeting speech at CSpan. K Street was a shot in the arm for me, but it also showed why campaigns are so darned hard.

[midnitemoleman]

79. It was great

Any national Bush bashing is great.

[bspence]

83. FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONFUSED BY THE SHOW:

No, Carville and Matalin do not have a pr firm. It's a set up for the show.

The blonde repub is an actress, Mary McCormick (sp?) plays her. Mary was also Howard Stern's wife in Private Parts.

The Dupree guy is also an actor.

The debate prep was real. Dean decided to go above and beyond being just a 'special guest' for the show, and actually allowed the film crew to tape the debate prep, knowing it'd be public.

The reaction from Matalin to hearing Dean speak Carville's lines were faked. Don't think they're going to get divorced over this or anything.

I have to say, I was confused at first too. It was a surreal show that actually influenced real life events. Congrats to Clooney and Soderberg for confusing the hell out of their audience, and getting them to come back for more. I wish they'd done more to explain what their firm was and whatever.

Looking back on the show, I can see that they're developing plot lines here. McCormick's character is having dating troubles, this Dupree weirdo will actually become a regular and get hired on to the firm, the firm will experience hard times from their New York backers (as Carville referenced on the train), and more. I hope the producers are true to their word when they say that they won't follow people into their private lives. The show is about washington politics, and sometimes personal lives affect job performance. I suspect we'll see McCormick's character become affected by a string of bad boyfriends, but we won't be following her on any dates or to her house unless that's related to work in some way.

[tjdee]

84. That clears things up--maybe they're easing Matalin and Carville out?

Maybe they have Matalin and Carville on just to start it up, and then will fill the show with fake folks who sometimes talk to real folks?

I don't think the Carvilles will get divorced or anything, but I did enjoy Matalin's face--how do you know it was faked? Oh...because they don't have a firm, so her receiving phone calls about it is fake?

I gotta say, I'm impressed with the acting skills of Carville and Matalin, they helped Soderbergh keep us all confused/interested. I got most of it straight in my head, thanks for filling in what I missed!

[mandyky]

92. So is it fact or fiction that Carville gave Dean the MLK/Trent Lott line?

MM and JC are definitely great actors - I almost fell out of my chair when Mary had that look on her face when she heard Dean do the MLK at the debate...