ABC goes inside the towers (9/11 programming for September)

Broadcasting|Cable Magazine ^ | 5.28.02

[mhking]

ABC goes inside the towers

Broadcasting & Cable
5/28/02 10:32:00 AM

As part of its Sept. 11 anniversary programming, ABC News is presenting an unusual joint project with USA Today that will recreate the disaster from various vantage points inside the World Trade Center immediately after the planes hit.

USA Today produced a remarkable special report in December that used floor plans, photos, architectural designs and testimony to document how many inside the building were able to survive the strikes and collapse of the towers.

'We can show through animation what it looked like to the people inside,' ABC executive vice president Paul Friedman said. 'We've come up with hundreds of individual stories, and we will be able to demonstrate many scenarios.'

ABC will schedule the show in prime time. Another program will look at the reactions of government agencies that day.

[Jaidyn]

I won't watch it. Being a spectator to such a horrific event was almost more than I could bear. Imagining the anguish those people suffered still sickens me. I'm at the point where I can't even stand to watch videos of the towers collapsing. It was just too heartbreaking and this must be one hundred times harder for the families of the victims. I don't think this is a wise move on ABC's part.

[let freedom sing]

Now ABC wants to torture us with virtual reality.

[finnman69]

Who is forcing the families to watch? This is America not Oceana, if you don't like what is on TV noone is telling you you can't change the channel. Don't like what's on TV, don't turn it on.

[Jaidyn]

I stated in my post I wasn't going to watch it. This is a forum where we make comments on the articles. I made my feelings known. I'm sure many people will watch it but, in my opinion, it is in poor taste. Enjoy the show!!!

[ChadGore]

This is sick. A grandstanding blow hard journalist (I heard Bill Maer needs work) against a green screen freeze framing the animation and saying:

"We'll be back in a moment to watch the secrtaries blood splatter against the wall, after this word fron Heintz."

I don't mind documenting history, but don't you dare prostitite the memories of those good people.

[mondonico]

While repugnant, this sort of thing is necessary. We must not forget the horror of what the terrorist savages did to us. In our open society we can't rely on defensive measures; in order to protect ourselves we must root out and neutralize or destroy the evildoers. We can't execute such a sustained, offensive campaign without the support of the people. That support will wane as the memories of 9/11/01 dim. Thus, we must remind ourselves of who we are fighting and why we are fighting.

[mondonico]

who we are fighting = whom we are fighting

[rageaholic]

Yes, I agree it is necessary to remind us of the horror rained upon us by a subhuman enemy. Americans tend to have short memories and tender hearts, something Al Kaida is relying upon for its survival and comeback. Keep the rage.

[Mfkmmof4]

I agree with you. People need to be reminded of the horror of that date especially when folks try to suggest that the war is about oil.