Controversial Mini-Series Kennedys Tried to Quash is Back

[MattParker]

Controversial 'Kennedys' miniseries to air on ReelzChannel

NEW YORK (AP) — The Kennedys miniseries has found a home on cable's ReelzChannel. The network announced Tuesday that the multimillion-dollar production will begin its run on April 3.

The ambitious eight-part miniseries, a portrait of the Kennedy family told in a multigenerational manner, was produced by the History Channel. But it was abruptly yanked from the upcoming lineup last month...

Reportedly, the Kennedy Family was not happy with the script and pressured The History Channel (owned by A&E Networks, a joint venture of Hearst, Disney-ABC and Comcast-NBC) to drop it. The producers offered it Showtime (owned by CBS), which also passed. Reelz is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting, which recently acquired WTOP Newsradio, Washington and other Bonneville (LDS) stations.

 

[johnnya2k6]

Well, I guess "The Kennedys" will finally put ReelzChannel on the map...along with reruns of Newsradio, Ally McBeal, and Brothers and Sisters (they also aired Carson's Comedy Classics for a time).

However, there was talk about airing it in syndication. I think the last time we had these were by Operation Prime Time (remember that?); one of them, "Nicholas Nickleby", won an Emmy.

 

[azumanga]

However, there was talk about airing it in syndication. I think the last time we had these were by Operation Prime Time (remember that?); one of them, "Nicholas Nickleby", won an Emmy.

OPT was back in the day when the independent station movement was growing, and when networks had less restrictions on pre-emptions of network shows. These days, most stations are saddled with a network or service (including My Network TV), and many have limits on what can be pre-empted. Also, when stations pre-empt a network show for something other than "breaking", it's often for an infomercial or a "make good" movie that can be obtained for cheap. In light of this, OPT would not work today.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

However, there was talk about airing it in syndication. I think the last time we had these were by Operation Prime Time (remember that?); one of them, "Nicholas Nickleby", won an Emmy.

OPT was back in the day when the independent station movement was growing, and when networks had less restrictions on pre-emptions of network shows. These days, most stations are saddled with a network or service (including My Network TV), and many have limits on what can be pre-empted. Also, when stations pre-empt a network show for something other than "breaking", it's often for an infomercial or a "make good" movie that can be obtained for cheap. In light of this, OPT would not work today.

Fewer cable channels also. This might be another straight to DVD movie. Works for Di$ney and the Air Bud franchise

 

[MattParker]

The real issue here is the nazi Kennedy family failed to suppress this. No Kennedys currently hold public office. Joe's ill-gotten fortune from being a Wall Street robber baron has been spread about all his descendants (at least the legitimate ones) and is not what it was. Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.