Not Ready for Prime Time (WSJ on CBS)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 5, 2003 | Editorial

[OESY]

Throughout his career, Ronald Reagan was always dismissed by elite opinion as a "Grade B movie actor" who had trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality. Now that same accusation has been lodged against the CBS mini-series "The Reagans." In response to complaints that this TV portrait of the Gipper is based on words his family and associates say he never uttered, CBS announced yesterday the network wouldn't be airing the series after all.

[OESY]

Peggy Noonan got it right on Hardball last night when she said in effect we have witnessed a revolution in communications whereby the Net, Talk Radio and bloggers forced a network to withdraw an objectionable program. Those who suggested CBS should leak the controversy in advance to drum up sagging ratings are probably cowering in some dark corner at Black Rock.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

CBS needs to tell us who the "Reagan contacts" were who contributed to this film.

[Steve_Seattle]

"CBS needs to tell us who the "Reagan contacts" were who contributed to this film."

You're assuming that they actually exist. It's quite possible that the producers are trying to deflect criticism from themselves by blaming the controversial material on non-existent "sources."

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Yeah, we all know reporters can't be forced to reveal their "sources," don't we ?

[Grampa Dave]

Here is the main contact/ghost writer of the hit piece:

CBS = Constant BS