ABC won't cancel WTC flick, agrees to Bush's 20 minute terra intermission

[Human Torch]

ABC says it won't flush WTC flick

BY HELEN KENNEDY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Originally published on September 9, 2006

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ent_radio/story/450815p-379410c.html



The show will go on, ABC insisted yesterday, resisting growing pressure to ditch a 9/11 docudrama that includes fictional scenes in its unflattering portrayal of Clinton administration security failures.

As if the network didn't have enough headaches from ex-President Bill Clinton's call to scrap the series, President Bush asked for airtime for a prime-time address at 9 p.m. Monday - during the climax of "The Path to 9/11."

In a bizarre compromise, ABC said it would interrupt the movie dramatizing the attacks to air Bush's 20-minute commemoration of them, and then continue with the end of the film.

Meanwhile, the remarkable chorus of criticism against the five-hour miniseries spread from Democrats to star Harvey Keitel to Republican pundits - and even the White House. "Presidents of all parties are absolutely serious about trying to keep the American people safe," White House spokesman Tony Snow said. "I think the idea of pointing fingers of blame .. . is extremely nonproductive, unnecessarily divisive."

[ShortnFiery]

1. Allowing Dear Leader to slur his usual "diatribe" gives credence to ...

this propaganda parading as a docudrama.

[jayctravis]

44. Essentially "I'm George W. Bush and I approve this message..." n/t

[treestar]

2. No there is no doubt that the film is intended to help the Repubs

Bush gets to come in on the middle of it and spout his stuff?

[wtmusic]

3. hahaha when ANYONE discounts the usefulness of pointing fingers of blame

you can be sure they are to blame. :rofl:

[Straight Shooter]

4. I am hoping there is an upside to bush breaking in on the airing of this.

How is bush being portrayed in the film? Strong, decisive, articulate, in control of his faculties? With so much riding on his appearance, they'll probably screw up his meds again and the contrast will work to his detriment.

That's what I'm hoping, anyway. By now, the film should be called: "9/11, the GOP Fairy Tale"

[still_one]

8. ah, that's the rub

he will be interupting the film at the point when his administration is being portrayed. I think it plays right into their hands, and I also believe that the publicity generated in the last few days will also play into his hands, since now their will be far more viewers than before

[napi21]

34. I still believe there will be far fewer viewers that ABC hoped for!

Monday Night Football season opener is on, which always draws a BIG viewership!

Here are some other choices for viewers to make Sun. night, 8PM EST.

CBS-9/11
Filmmakers Gédéon and Jules Naudet update their 2002 documentary tracking emergency personnel's response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, including new interviews with a number of firefighters; host Robert De Niro.

ESPN-ML Baseball
"San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants"

CNN Presents
"In the Footsteps of Bin Laden"
The pursuit of Osama Bin Laden.

Discovery Chanel-The price of security with Ted Koppel
Ted Koppel explores the tension of needing to provide security and needing to protect individual liberties.

Some other options for Mon. night 8PM EST.

NBC Dateline
"Flight 93"
Jane Pauley interviews people who lost loved ones on doomed Flight 93; new audiotapes help detail heroic acts aboard the aircraft, which crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pa.

ESPN-NFL Football
"Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins"
The Vikings, who finished 9-7 last season, travel to Landover to take on the Redskins.

CNN-Countdown
"9/11: Five Years Later"

Obviously there are many other optional shows, I just listed the ones I believe will pull lots of viewers away from ABC!

I know I didn't intend to watch the ABC show even before all this insanity began, and I suspect there will be a lot of people turned off by what they've heard in the last few days. For sure, most of the RW(Who aren't avid football fans) will watch it, but what have we lost there? NOTHING! They will never consider voting for a Dem anyway, so who cares.

[Human Torch]

37. The "9/11: Five Years Later" thing on CNN sounds interesting...

...unless it's hosted by Leslie "Wolf" Blitzer. Then you'll know the title is an abbreviation for:

"9/11: Five Years Later, Bush is an even better president than he was then!"

:rofl:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

9. Actually, it appears that he's not portrayed in the movie, at all.

Can't find it in the movie's cast list. :shrug:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473404/fullcredits


Were they trying to avoid "compare and contrast? MKJ

[RamboLiberal]

42. I believe I read they use news footage of him where needed

Bunnypants was out of the loop most of the day - guess they didn't need to have an actor portray him. But we know the famous classroom "I look lik I just pooped my pants" scene won't appear.

[cushla_machree]

46. I thought this was the PATH to 9-11

I guess they have to leave out january to sept 11th. Wouldn't want chimpy to look bad!

[Straight Shooter]

47. Amazing. I thought for sure they'd have him praying in the movie. n/t

[fuzzyball]

48. Bush admin is NOT covered in part I of the mocudrama

The first part deals only with the Clinton admin.
The 2nd airing of part II will deal with GW Bush admin.
I was unable to find the time of airing part II on yahoo TV.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

54. I was looking for the name of the actor who portrays gwb. The part

of georgie doesn't appear, at all, in the cast list.

:shrug: MKJ

[jayctravis]

53. I'm hoping they cut in at an opportune moment...

Someone screaming, "That lousy no-good sonofabit--"

"People of America, the President of the United States..."

[onehandle]

5. Republicans sure are proud of their biggest security failure.

We were hit nine months into Bush's watch.

But that's not important.

Americans are brainwashed morons.

[Botany]

6. Wonder where the old writers for Pravda went?

Message from the "powers that be."
1. It was Clinton's fault
2. Bush will keep you safe

[still_one]

7. I know I will get flamed for this

but we have played right into their hands

Remember when Bill Clinton said something to the effect, they win by dividing people, we win by uniting people.

In the last few days has our approach to this pseudo-documentary helped or hurt us?

Keep in mind the documntary hasn't even been shown

This could present us with a tremendous opportunity if it is handled right. Friday, it was reported that there was no connection be bin laden and hussein, in fact they were enemies. Remember this was one of the falsehoods given for us to go into Iraq. Now we have the forum to present this and other lies that perpetrated by this administration.

Will we take advantage of it?

[nancyr]

10. Sheer propaganda

Anyone left who thinks the media is not controlled by the right-wing???? I can't imagine why anyone would even wish to see such a crock...but, never underestimate the stupidity of the average televison viewer! Lots of people do believe everything they see, unfortunately.

[still_one]

15. The media is controlled by corporations

Their objective is to make MONEY for the shareholders. The publicity that has been generated on this propaganda piece has guananteed them a viewship that they would have never acheived by simple advertising

The more people talk about "banning" its showing the more people will want to see it

Now that everyones attention is focused on it, the Democrats should us it as a forum to expose the lies of this administration, from Iraq to Katrinia

If bush is asking for time to give an address, the Democrats should demand EQUAL time, no?

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

11. We really were faced with a stark choice. Call them on the BS. Or not.

Notice how close to the vest ABC played this. We weren't even aware of this movie until, what, two weeks ago?

At least we haven't backed down and, you're right, combined with the Senate Report, we have a great opportunity to keep the discussion going.

MKJ

[still_one]

17. I agree

We should also demand equal time after bush speaks for a Democratic statement, and it should INCLUDE the Senate Report

This could be a terrific opportunity for us

[Human Torch]

21. That 20 minute "break" is a stump speech for the GOP in November

...so yes, according to the fairness of "equal time," there should be a Democratic response.

Instead, it will be 20 minutes of Junior insisting that he's "learned the lessons of 9/11" and only the Republicans can keep you safe.

:grr:

[ShortnFiery]

26. Absolutely Disgusting!

ABC is Dead to Me! :grr:

[Ouabache]

50. ABC is Dead to Me

my sentiments exactly, ShortnFiery. Fuck them as long as I live, and try to get others to fuck them too.

[global1]

12. This Is Nothing But A Giant Campaign Commercial For The Repugs.....

and many unsuspecting 'merikuns will get sucked down the rabbit hole again.

[Eurobabe]

27. that's where I think (hope) you are wrong

I think everybody is wifty to alot of this shit now. The Mortgage Moms aren't gonna buy it, the NASCAR dads either. This is their last ditch effort to boost poll numbers, short of capturing Bin Laden (he'll be dead of course) in October.

[grilled onions]

13. ..and now a twenty minute word from our sponsor..

or this movie is brought to you by...* and company.

[still_one]

19. and why can't the Democrats demand equal time?

[quinnox]

14. This is crazy

So they are going to halt the movie while Bush can say how important it is for the people to vote republican because they understand how to keep them safe and how Democrats have a "pre-9/11" mentality etc. Then ABC goes back to the movie? So what afterwards, in the DVD version is Bush's speech going to be shown as part of the show?
This is nothing less than a free ABC campaign contribution to the republican party.

[ShortnFiery]

16. ABC is Dead to me! eom

[still_one]

18. Do they really care?

they have the publicity they wanted, and they will have the viewers

It is up to the Democrats to take the opportunity to use this forum and expose their lies. If Bush speaks in the middle of this pseudo-documentary, than the Democrats should DEMAND equal time to speak, and also bring up the Senate report that Saddam Hussein and bin Laden were enemies, and the justification for going into Iraq was based on LIES

http://www.rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fs%2Fap%2F20060908%2Fap_on_go_co%2Firaq_report%3B_ylt%3DAtFGvN3uqufaGBwM.UB0hves0NUE%3B_ylu%3DX3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

[City Lights]

23. Apparently they don't.

I've done pretty much all I can to get them to do the right thing. They don't care. They don't fear me. They don't care if they lose my business. They don't care if I boycott their sponsors. And there is no way they'll give Democrats equal time. We don't count. We don't matter. :(

[still_one]

29. but there is another way

we can use the forum that is being generated by this pseudo documentary to get the public's attention of the lies propagated by this administation

Perfect time to emphasis that Hussein regarded al qaida as a threat rather than an ally, exactly opposite to what the administration was saying

Perfect time to ask why 2700 Americans are dead in Iraq because of a lie

Perfect time to ask why the recommendations of the 9/11 committee were not followed

Perfect time to ask why the Hart/Rudman report was ignored by the bush administration, and which along with the August memo that bin laden plans to strike the U.S. was IGNORED

http://www.rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fs%2Fap%2F20060908%2Fap_on_go_co%2Firaq_report%3B_ylt%3DAtFGvN3uqufaGBwM.UB0hves0NUE%3B_ylu%3DX3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

It is about time that a REAL DEBATE STARTS, and this is the perfect forum for it

[City Lights]

35. We can ask til we're blue in the face.

We can discuss it here til we're blue in the face. Then what? We are ignored by the power brokers. Things will continue to go downhill unless the Dems take control of the House or Senate.

I keep writing LTTEs hoping to get my viewpoint in print. So far I've had mixed success. I used to have great success at getting published, but lately nothing has made it into the print edition, and only a couple have made it to their online edition. I also continue to post comments to LTTEs that have appeared in print or online.

[Windy]

33. fascism.....government and business combined...

we are there people.

[ShortnFiery]

24. If the People Unite, they WILL Care. Many people are boycotting ABC. n/t

[still_one]

31. All they care about is publicity, good or bad

[ShortnFiery]

32. Then let's couple the boycott with an outcry?!?

We're as MAD AS HELL with this Right Wing Propaganda Docudrama and we're not going to take this anymore!!!

Never quit. :hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

20. Hitler and Stalin would be envious

A political orgasm brought on by showing political pornography.

[murray hill farm]

22. Sooooooooooooo, now the movie is....

to be used as a backdrop for the bush propaganda speech? Brave new world is here!

[Human Torch]

30. There was an excellent segment on "Countdown" last night...

...the person who wrote the film makes no bones about labeling himself as a conservative, and Olbermann said that he's been on several "panels" giving speeches on how conservatives can "take Hollywood back."

The more I learn, the more I realize that this movie was as carefully planned as the 9/11 attacks themselves.

:patriot:

[Vickers]

25. The political equivalent of OJ Simpson being allowed to read his statement

at his murder trial without the benefit of cross-examination.

[leesa]

28. The GOP Propaganda Extravaganza Goes On!

Tony Snow back to the "blame game" script. These guys just have no shame or scruples.

[Human Torch]

36. The difference between Tony and Lil' Scotty McClellan:

Tony has no conscience or scruples...you are right.

McClellan was a long-time Bush "loyalist"...and even though loyalty can sometimes be misguided, I respect a person who is loyal. I respect them even more when the worms find the apple and they decide they no longer want to eat from the barrel. Think back on the last few McClellan press conferences. He was sweating, squirming, flinching...Tony doesn't blink. McClellan took the job with what I believe was an honorable intention, and it went south on him. Snow, on the other time, had an ample opportunity to study McClellan...and the situation...and tackle it as only a true-blue member of "Fox News" would.

I think scruples killed Scotty...he held on as long as he could, but he's no Karl Rove. He knew he was "defending" the "integrity" of people who were guilty as sin. Snow has no problem whatsoever in doing that.

I'm not defending McClellan at all. I can just see a huge difference between what might have motivated him and what appears to be motivating Tony Snow in the present moment.

:patriot:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

39. Nicely summed up. I used to feel pangs of discomfort, watching Scotty

have to repeat bilious assertions over and over. It so obviously pained him.

Snow is amoral. Glibly, with no compuction, defends his lord and master. MKJ

[mbee]

38. Democrats spend lots of money with ABC advertisers and with

Disney so when you write these people let them know that since they hate Liberals that you assume they won't miss your money at all. Believe me they won't survive just on the pugs money! This will hurt them for a long time to come. Remind them where GM is right now. When you have a product nobody wants guess what happens?

[Evergreen Emerald]

40. Please: it's been planned this way all along

It is no coincidence that Bush is giving is "speech" during this propaganda. The masks are off. The fascism is out in the open.

[Contrary1]

41. I agree

"bizarre compromise" indeed. What do you wanna bet it's timed so that the nitwit son
gets to preach about terra right after one of Clinton's "inadequacies" is depicted?

[blm]

43. The masks have been off since 9-11. It gave the media COVER to promote the

fascists and their agenda 24/7.

[Jack Rabbit]

45. This is too bizarre

Let me get this straight.

A film billed as a docudrama that doesn't have its facts straight and makes Clinton look worse than he actually deserves to look over the September 11 attacks is going to stop and give 20 minutes of airtime to the Boy Blunder to to try to scare the country into voting for those who support his failed policies.

[Rowdyboy]

49. Concise, simple and well spoken.....

Apparently that is their plan and they'll probably get away with it.

[republicansarewhores]

51. Bravo Neocons.

They've surpassed Hitler in their utter gall and ability to manipulate the media and the public by allowing the giggling murderer's speech during this program in an effort to rile emotions related to 9/11 even further.

RAW

[NYC Liberal]

52. There could be an upside:

Who watches Bush speeches anymore?

The guy has a 36-odd percent approval rating. So here's hoping maybe people will simply flip the channel away from ABC when Chucklenuts comes on - and not come back.