The Kennedy's - Reelzchannel

Richard Dower

:eek:

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/01/history-channel-pulls-the-plug-on-kennedys-miniseries.html

The History Channel has shelved its first scripted project, a miniseries about the Kennedys, after deciding it took a little too much dramatic license.

"Upon completion of the production of 'The Kennedys,' History has decided not to air the 8-part miniseries on the network," the cable channel says in a statement (first given to The Hollywood Reporter). "While the film is produced and acted with the highest quality, after viewing the final product in its totality, we have concluded this dramatic interpretation is not a fit for the History brand."

History announced the project in December 2009 and committed a good chunk of money to it. Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes played John and Jackie Kennedy; the cast also includes Barry Pepper as Robert F. Kennedy and Tom Wilkinson as their father, Joe. Joel Surnow, the co-creator of "24," executive produced it; another "24" veteran, Stephen Kronish, wrote it.

There's no indication as to what exactly didn't pass muster with the History Channel. The network's statement simply says the miniseries was not "the right programming decision for our network."

"The Kennedys" will still air overseas and in Canada (where it premieres March 6), but it's unclear whether it will ever be shown in this country.

Richard Dower

^ this will create ALOT of debate!!....it has big name actors + the political aspect it will run rampant, i expect some other cable channel will snap it up pretty quick though!

It might be heading to Showtime: http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/exclusive-video-of-aes-cancelled-the-kennedys-miniseries/

It actually looks really good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGf8pWpZ35k

mike65

Damn I thought this must be based on Ryan Tubriddys book. Dissapointed

Minstrel27

That looks really good. Hopefully Showtime do pick it up.

JP Liz V1

I was looking forward to this so hopefully Showtime or HBO pick it up

Dman001

As long as some network picks it up, we'l get some chance of seeing it. Very strange History Channel isn't going ahead with it, it could of been a great hit for them.

Dman001

Dman001 wrote: »

As long as some network picks it up, we'l get some chance of seeing it. Very strange History Channel isn't going ahead with it, it could of been a great hit for them.

To a degree I can somewhat understand it. The History Channel is primarily about giving facts about history, so it probably wouldn't be a good thing for them to screen a show that took too much "dramatic license", as they put it.

I can see other networks picking it up though.

yabadabado

it looks pretty good.I would say a network will pick it up.Wouldn't history channell need to sell it on ,to recoup some of the cost.

Minstrel27

Deleted User wrote: »

To a degree I can somewhat understand it. The History Channel is primarily about giving facts about history

They show ice road truckers and a show about pawn shops.

Richard Dower

This is very interesting, clearly this is political: Showtime, Stars and FX have all now passed on the show:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a297613/showtime-passes-on-the-kennedys.html

Showtime has reportedly decided against purchasing the rights to air The Kennedys.

The premium network was said to be considering the miniseries following the History Channel's decision to drop the project last week.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Showtime ultimately decided to pass on the eight-part drama, though no reason was given.

Starz and FX also recently chose not to air The Kennedys.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a297480/fx-starz-pass-on-the-kennedys.html

Two more cable networks have passed on troubled mini-series The Kennedys.

The eight-part drama, which stars Greg Kinnear as John F. Kennedy and Katie Holmes as his wife Jackie, was recently dropped by the History channel.

The Hollywood Reporter now claims that both Starz and FX have turned down the opportunity to air the show.

Since HBO is currently developing its own project focusing on the Kennedys, Showtime is still thought to be the leading contender to pick up the mini-series.

A straight-to-DVD release is also thought to be a strong possibility if The Kennedys cannot find a broadcaster.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/12/showtime-passes-on-the-kennedys/

mariebeth

While I'm not saying Perez Hilton is a good source, he has been reporting that members of the Kennedy family put pressure on the History Channel not to air it, because of 'historical inaccuracies'. And that's why a lot of the networks aren't interested in buying it themselves.

It does look like a good show though from the trailer, so I hope someone will air it so we get to see it!

Richard Dower

It's being broadcast in Canada on March 6th, so we will see it :-)

TheIrishGrover

I remember hearing about this series last year. seems like it's the same one? I'm surprised it wasn't released. It's not like Fox to let facts stop them broadcasting something
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001679?refCatId=14

"24" co-creator Joel Surnow is taking on the Kennedy clan, penning a 10-hour miniseries about the political family.

"The Kennedys," which Canadian distributor Muse Entertainment plans to shop this weekend at the MIP TV conference in Cannes, is sure to stir up controversy back here in the States.

Surnow, who's politically active in conservative politics, is drawing up a longform that will "unveil secrets" about the liberal-minded family.

According to Muse -- which sent out a press release Wednesday -- "The Kennedys" will explore "the soiled and crooked steps" the family took to get to the White House.

"It also tells the historical stories that are associated with the Kennedy era -- the Bay of Pigs, the Missile Crisis, the civil rights struggle, the mob connection -- each one told in the context of personal, Kennedy-family dramas."

Muse is in talks with at least one cable network to air the history-minded drama.

According to Muse, the project has a budget of $30 million. Surnow will exec produce with Stephen Kronish, as well as Muse's Michael Prupas and Asylum Ent.'s Jonathan Koch and Steven Michaels.

Surnow most recently exec produced the satire series "The ½ Hour News Hour" for the Fox News Channel. Beyond "24," his credits include "La Femme Nikita," "Nowhere Man" and "The Commish."

Latchy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8650760.stm


Ahh was looking forward to this but as mentioned , hopefully some other network will pick it up or straight to dvd purchase .

DeWitt

Wow! Kinnear's really channeling Kennedy. I'll check this out solely based on Kinnear & Peppers presence.

Richard Dower

Hmm, i thought DirectTV were getting out of the rescue business?

http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/would-directv-rescue-the-kennedys/

Richard Dower

DirectTV has also passed...that's pretty much it then, all the cable networks have passed. I doubt TNT or USA will pick it up either. So i guess it's left to the Canadians :-)

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a299581/directv-latest-to-pass-on-the-kennedys.html

Holybejaysus

Damn, that looks like a really great series. I didn't think the Kennedys still had that kind of power in America-I'm fascinated by the Kennedy dynasty I must say. Don't be shy with the torrents my Canuck friends....

Richard Dower

Wow!...The Kennedy's saga continues, so i guess life does imitate art!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a301191/the-kennedys-to-air-in-syndication.html

Syndication company Tribune is reportedly in talks to pick up The Kennedys.

The miniseries, which stars Katie Holmes and Greg Kinnear, was originally made for the History Channel but the network dropped it earlier this year.

According to Deadline, Tribune has now made an offer to pick up the show.

The company, which owns 23 stations in 19 markets, is said to be in with a chance of landing the series because History do not want it to air on a direct competitor.

A source explained: "I'm not sure if History wants another [basic] cable [network] to air it so they might take less money to have it in syndication."

FX, HBO, Showtime, Starz and DirecTV have all turned down the opportunity to air the series. BBC America reportedly made a bid but any offers are rumoured to be too low.

A spokesperson for Tribune confirmed that the company is in talks to pick up The Kennedys but refused to comment further.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/the-kennedys-miniseries-may-air-in-syndication-via-deal-with-tribune/#more-101825



Greg Kinnear has admitted that he is disappointed that The Kennedys was dropped by the History Channel.

Earlier this month, the network announced that it no longer plans to air the miniseries because it is "not a fit for the History brand".

Kinnear, who played John F. Kennedy, has now described the situation as "unfortunate".

"Obviously, I've read everything that everybody else has," he told Access Hollywood. "We had an extraordinary, great group behind the show and it was done with great care and sensitivity and the History Channel, for whatever reason, got into the hot box on that. We're hoping it finds a home. I'm not sure what its status is right now."

Richard Dower

Looks like it finally found a home, on some obsecure cable channel i think no one has ever heard of?, starts April 3rd.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kennedys-miniseries-lands-home-air-95123

http://www.deadline.com/2011/02/the-kennedys-mini-lands-at-reelz-channel/

Trailer:http://www.reelzchannel.com/trailer-clips/53538/the-kennedys-trailer

Richard Dower

Starts in April in the UK; source DS:

History has confirmed that it will air the miniseries The Kennedys in the UK.

The drama about the political dynasty, which stars Katie Holmes and Greg Kinnear, has been the subject of controversy in the US after the History Channel decided not to broadcast it.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested that the programme's makers had an "ingrained hostility" towards his family and a number of channels turned down the opportunity to air the show. The miniseries eventually found an American home on the cable network ReelzChannel.

However, History has revealed that it still plans to broadcast The Kennedys in the UK.

The managing director of History's parent company AETN UK, Tom Davidson, said: "Securing the UK premiere of The Kennedys is a major coup for the History Channel. Bringing to life the story of America's most iconic family, the drama is a bold and epic account of the Kennedy dynasty and we are delighted that viewers in the UK will get to see it on History first."

The Kennedys will begin on History in April.

Richard Dower

Not going well for the cable net who picked it up:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/controversial-kennedys-miniseries-fails-attract-167174


Producer Joel Surnow has claimed that a Democratic bias led the History Channel to axe controversial miniseries The Kennedys.

Multiple outlets turned down the opportunity to air the eight-part drama, which was eventually picked up by the ReelzChannel.

"I truly believe that this project would have seen the light of day on History Channel if the exact same film had been produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg," Surnow told the Los Angeles Times. "It always felt from the very, very beginning of the project that at one point my known politics as a conservative might be a problem."

He added: "I'd always assumed the Kennedy family might have an objection to their family story being told by somebody that they perceive to be not friendly to them."

Surnow went on to say that many of the same forces that had put pressure on ABC over its controversial 2006 miniseries The Path to 9/11 had been responsible for the Kennedys axe, including former president Bill Clinton.

"Some of those same people who were involved in that were involved with this," he suggested.

The former 24 showrunner insisted that he "never had any political agenda" and referred to John F. Kennedy, played in the miniseries by Greg Kinnear, as "a good president".

"The show is not historically inaccurate," he claimed. "The premise of the Kennedys miniseries was to take the iconic figures and turn them into flesh and blood people."

The Kennedys will premiere on The ReelzChannel on April 3.

coylemj

History are showing it starting April 7th.

Latchy

Look forward to viewing it in april on History channel

Dman001

coylemj wrote: »

History are showing it starting April 7th.

History Channel in the UK that is, just to avoid confusion. At least some UK channel got it snappy. Looking forward to this.

Richard Dower

New article/interview: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/19/the-kennedys-discrimination/

Richard Dower

DS has an interview + clip from the show, starts April 3rd in the US:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a312007/holmes-kinnear-dont-get-kennedys-row.html

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a311879/kennedys-exec-shows-axe-was-ugly.html

Richard Dower

New article/review: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-03-31/the-kennedys-miniseries-eight-examples-of-its-whitewashing/#

The "Kennedy" accent is pretty woeful in the clips - very "mid-atlantic / Irish"

Richard Dower

Hmmm....Ken Tucker isin't keen, be advised....this is at US time, most of us ova here ain't seen it yet, so expect spoilers: http://watching-tv.ew.com/2011/04/03/the-kennedys-reelz-greg-kinnear-katie-holmes/

Richard Dower

Record ratings for the channel, lol...it's not hard to get records when NO ONE knows/watches your channel. But i guess they got what they wanted, publicity for Reelz.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/04/04/premiere-of-the-kennedys-encore-averages-1-9-million-on-reelz-channel-sets-network-ratings-records/88182

KerranJast

Starts this Thursday 7th on History channel over here (SKY 529).

Richard Dower

First two eps. are now out in 720p.

Latchy

Am recording it off UK History tonight .

nicklauski

Any body watch it last night? Sky + it myself to check it out tonight. What's the initial thoughts?

gazzer

nicklauski wrote: »

Any body watch it last night? Sky + it myself to check it out tonight. What's the initial thoughts?

It has promise imo. I dont know that much about the Kennedys except for JFK so I dont know if how they are portrayed is very accurate.

kraggy

Accents are awful. And it's hard to believe Kinnear as JFK.

Katie Holmes is awful. She can't do a deep role. Only thing I've ever seen her good in is Pieces of April.

Not even gone on Tom Wilkinson. However, Barry Pepper as Bobby Kennedy was the actor of the episode for me. Absolutely nailed Bobby's accent.

It has potential, but it would want to improve a bit.

Laois_Man

I had it set up to tape on series link on Sky+ - just finished watching it last night!

I enjoyed the series overall. But I do agree Katie Holmes is awful throughout. I thought Tom Wilkinson was great even though I really know how well he portrayed the mannerisms of Joe Kennedy Snr. I liked Barry Pepper too! Greg Kinnear was....m'eh!

As for the content - I really can't figure out why the Kennedy's of today have a problem with the production - if it's actually the case that they really do. I don't think it portrayed the Kennedy's to be as ruthless as what my preconceptions of the production were - based on what I had heard of the series before. I expected things like, greater exploration of the link between the Kennedys and the mafia – and a subtly suggested link between the Kennedys and the death of Marilyn Munroe! Things like that!

I thought there were some inaccuracies. I don't think they accurately portrayed what I understand to have been an extremely acrimonious relationship between the Kennedy's and Linden Johnson for example – And the relationship between ALL the Kennedy’s and J. Edgar Hoover came across as just a slight personal dislike between he and only Bobby!

But I enjoyed it still!

Pepe LeFrits

I suspect the History Channel dropped it, not because of pressure from the Kennedy family, but because it was shít.

Barry Pepper was pretty good in it but otherwise, the acting is poor. The script is incredibly clunky - hardly any nuance in it at all, and it looks cheap. Considering the source material, it is very disappointing. It could have been a cross between The West Wing and Mad Men, but it has none of the qualities of either.

JP Liz V1

Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper and Tom Wilkinson were excellent in their roles imo Holmes wasnt too bad just seem too young for the role she was playing

In regard to his name why was Jack known as John F. Kennedy which was his real proper name

KerranJast

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper and Tom Wilkinson were excellent in their roles imo Holmes wasnt too bad just seem too young for the role she was playing

In regard to his name why was Jack known as John F. Kennedy which was his real proper name

He was christened John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Jack is a common pet name for John like Bobby is for Robert.

Dman001

I enjoyed the mini-series. The acting wasn't brilliant by any means, but thought Pepper and Wilkinson were superb though. As stated, I dunno how accurate it was but still very interesting and worth the watch.

Richard Dower

Looks like we are getting a sequel! http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/15/kennedy-miniseries-sequel-after-camelot/#more-109190



The eight-part Kennedy miniseries, The Kennedys, that starred Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes and premiered on Reelz channel in April 2011, is getting a sequel of sorts.

Reelz announced today that rights to J. Randy Taraborrelli’s bestselling book After Camelot: A Personal History of the Kennedy Family 1968 to the Present have been acquired by Muse Entertainment Enterprises and that REELZ has entered a co-development agreement with Muse to produce a miniseries.

“With The Kennedys miniseries we saw tremendous response to powerful storytelling along with an intense interest in this remarkable family. In his book, J. Randy Taraborrelli tells the incredible true story of the Kennedys from 1968 to today,” Stan E. Hubbard, CEO of REELZCHANNEL, said in a press release. “The Kennedy family is truly a part of the fabric of America and we’re thrilled to once again work with our partners at Muse Entertainment Enterprises to bring our viewers this fascinating and continuing story.”