That anyone has the power to bump a prime-time mini-series from network
to cable for political reasons is scary.
I think I'm more peeved at CBS. CBS didn't have the balls to withstand
the heat and back the "The Reagans" film producers, Neil Meron and Craig
Zadan. Meron and Zadan have publicly wondered if what happened to their
film will have a "chilling effect" on future films for network TV.
Actually, I wonder what producer with a film project of any credibility
will want to pitch it to network TV knowing they may cave in to special
interest presssure when the going gets tough? I think they'd all rather
go to cable (HBO, Showtime....) where they have artistic freedom and the
big budgets to do the best work they can. Just look at HBO's upcoming
"Angels in America," a 6 hour $60 million endeavor. Can you imagine CBS,
ABC, or NBC coughing up that much for a miniseries? "The Reagans" only
cost $9 million (for what was to be a 4 hr. 2 part miniseries).
