CBS set to pay for attack on the Gipper (Ad Boycott Over Reagan Smear Movie Working)

TheAge.Com ^ | November 2, 2003

[PJ-Comix]

Whoever built the CBS TV headquarters at the corner of 57th Street and 10th Avenue didn't do the network any favours - although its position in the heart of Manhattan's West Side does help to explain why the ratings-challenged broadcaster decided that what Americans really want to watch right now is a what-the-butler-saw hatchet job on Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

That's the way it must have seemed from the top suites of the building known as Black Rock, where the producers overlook an urban landscape populated with people just like themselves - same political views, same sense of history and, if you listen to the upcoming flick's critics, the same licence to rewrite it.

Just to the north is the Upper West Side, where a classic urban legend has it that a dinner party guest once insisted Reagan's landslide defeat of Walter Mondale must have been rigged, "because nobody I know voted for him". Everyone else at the table agreed a conspiracy was afoot, since none present nor anyone they knew had voted for him either. In that little corner of limousine-liberal Manhattan, child molesters remain more popular than the Gipper.

And to the south of the CBS HQ, it's Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea - two very gay enclaves, where New York's first openly queer councillor, Tom Duane, built a career around accusations that Reagan committed gay genocide by ignoring the AIDS epidemic.

Across the Hudson River, however, where mainland America begins in earnest, opinions of Reagan are markedly more diverse. As CBC is now learning to its immense surprise, quite a few of its viewers quite like guy.

The first thing to upset Middle America about the upcoming mini-series is the cast. To play Reagan, the producers, gay activists and Democratic financial supporters Neil Meron and Craig Zadan went for James Brolin, aka Mr Barbra Streisand, who is almost as well known as his wife for loving the Clintons and condemning everything with the taint of Republicanism. And for Nancy the choice was Australia's Judy Davis, also no slouch at getting stuck into the ring-wing establishment, for whom Reagan remains a patron saint. Then there is the script. Only a few snatches have leaked out, but one excerpt in particular is infuriating the Reagans' admirers. The vignette has Nancy pleading for some quick money to combat the spread of AIDS. Donning a scowl not seen since Charlton Heston came down from the mountain, the videotic Gipper thunders: "They that live in sin shall die in sin!"

CBS might have thought it would be a good idea to tell the West Side story of the Reagan myth - but what the network didn't realise is that Reagan means many things to many people. The Americans who tell pollsters that he is one of their favourite presidents tend not to live in Manhattan, but that is no reason to question their sincerity. Reagan, they point out, is in no shape to defend himself. At 92, he's in the final stages of Alzheimer's disease.

"They've plunged a dagger into Dad's heart," says his son, talkback jock Michael Reagan, who is urging a boycott of CBS and its sponsors. A cheap smear, adds Newsday columnist James Pinkerton. Reagan "was a guy from Hollywood", he says. "He dealt with gays all his life. He was not a homophobe."

And not stupid, either, as columnist Alexander Cockburn tried to warn the left when Reagan ruled. Painting him as an old fool might ease the pain of seeing him in the White House, he wrote repeatedly, but it didn't alter the fact he kept winning every fight he picked. CBS's response: Well, what else would you expect conservatives to say? Trouble is, the shots aren't coming just from the right. Take Washington Post reporter Lou Cannon, who penned a series of warts-and-all Reagan biographies and never shrank from mentioning the loopy, impromptu lines that had Reagan's aides forever fearful of what he might say next. But from what the reporter has learned of the movie, "it's unfair - Reagan was not intolerant". If you want to assault Reagan's memory, say Cannon and others, take him down for being asleep at the wheel while the likes of Oliver North plotted the Iran-Contra conspiracy.

While CBS continues to insist it is about to enjoy a ratings bonanza, it may prove to be one without advertisers. The boycott campaign is gaining strength and the word on Madison Avenue is that big-name sponsors - car companies and the like - are growing restless. There just aren't that many car buyers on the West Side of Manhattan.

[PJ-Comix]

What's the latest word on Hallmark? Are they backing out of this Reagan Smear movie?

[freedumb2003]

They claim not be involved. This is the response I got from Hallmark (followed by my original complaint letter):

Thank you for contacting us with your concern. This gives us the
opportunity to provide you with correct information.

Hallmark was not involved in the production of "The Reagans" miniseries
airing on CBS and is not a sponsor of the program. By virtue of its
international distribution network, Hallmark Entertainment, Inc.,
distributes many films produced by other companies to international
audiences, and this movie will be one of those. We suggest you relate
your concerns about the program's content to CBS at 212-975-3247.

We want to emphasize that Hallmark is not producing or sponsoring "The
Reagans" movie. We appreciate the time you took to share your views,
and will pass them along for consideration.




Original Message Follows:

---

Message: I understand that Hallmark is a sponsor of "The Reagans" hit
piece potentially to be aired on CBS in November.

How can an ostensibly family-friendly company such as Hallmark can have
anything to do with such an awful smearing of one of the USA's greatet
presidents ever?

If this piece airs under Hallmark's anem I will never by another
Hallmark product!

[Ann Archy]

Boycotts work.

[Keith in Iowa]

We want to emphasize that Hallmark is not producing or sponsoring "The Reagans" movie. We appreciate the time you took to share your views, and will pass them along for consideration.

Man, does that look like a serious attempt at glutious-protectus

[Batrachian]

Did you really send such a horribly misspelled letter to Hallmark?

Spell checker works.

[freedumb2003]

glutious-protectus

I'm not quite sure what to make of it -- they claim no association at all. I need some time to research the relationship. If they are associated, at all, then I am a no-Hallmark zone. But I don't want to punish a company that is truly not involved.

[demkicker]

I hope Hallmark bails on them. I just emailed the author of an article trivializing conservative's anger with this movie. Here's what I wrote & may use it to write the sponsors:

Mr. Perkins,

You might want to crawl down from your ivory tower, and quit pretending to be all knowing and defending the left's license to trash President Reagan. Psssst, Ken, you've never been more wrong. Take for example, the reports that some objectionable parts of the movie are being edited out. The word from CBS is they are "still working on it", AFTER receiving an avalanche of complaints. Contrary to your opinion, I'd say CBS's sphincter muscle is getting a good workout, knowing that the average Jane and John Doe will most definitely punish all sponsors associated with smearing the legacy of a beloved President and his devoted wife.

CBS has poked and provoked a sleeping bear (read: legions of Reagan lovers), and has a choice to make. If the CBS kingpins make light of the situation and ends up taking "artistic" license to trash the Reagans, they most definitely will live to regret it. Don't forget Santa Claus is coming to town very soon and any sponsor associated with this movie better be prepared to live with the economic consequences.

Contrary to what you think, Ken, the average Joe is sick of "business as usual" in Hollyweird and overall television ratings prove it. Upon final editing, if this movie does negatively reinvent the Reagan legacy, the only cha-ching you will hear will be from people spending their money on goods and services with sponsor competitors. Some things are still sacred in this country and for many, Ronald Reagan is in that category. I don't expect you to understand, but you can damn sure cut out trivializing the brazen attempt by well-known liberals to besmirch Ronald Reagan's legacy.

[dts32041]

So walk into the local Hall mark store and tell them you won't patronize them, if the big company sponsors, the Regean hit job.

BTW has any one seen a list of sponsors, need to get my letters out to local people.

[nicmarlo]

Then where to find sponsors of the miniseries? ... Maybe O'Reilly? He had a poll out if respondents would/would not boycott the advertisers (last I saw, "would" was winning by a landslide).

[dts32041]

So walk into the local Hall mark store and tell them you won't patronize them, if the big company sponsors, the Regean hit job.

BTW has any one seen a list of sponsors, need to get my letters out to local people.

[Keith in Iowa]

Bottom line is they're trying to say they have nothing to do with it - yet a Hallmark company is distrbuting this trash - so, no matter how hard they try, Hallmark can not claim they have nothing to do with it. They may not be responsible for fecal matter, but they are shoveling it.

[demkicker]

***Bingo*** Well said!

[rockinrebel]

sounds like a typical clinton reply to a question . we didnt produce it we are just handling the distribution

[nicmarlo]

Q: If the CBS miniseries about former President Ronald Reagan treats him unfairly, will you boycott CBS and its sponsors?


Answer Percent

---

Yes 92%

No 8%

---

Total Votes: 42013*

(Scroll about half-way down to vote)

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

The limo Left is so far out of touch with reality...it's almost impossible to satirize the silliness of their paranoid-delusional ideological vision.

[pointsal]

CBS= Chronically Bad Stuff

[gulfcoast6]

Goes to show you the true colors of CBS for sure. I refuse to buy anything advertised on that statation as it is and we all should continue with this pratice and let the advertisers know you refuse to buy their product.

[Bob J]

I would suggest that read, "Targeted Boycotts Work". Far reaching an broad boycotts burnout quickly but specifically targeting an issue people can understand can be quite effective.

[hotpotato]

Then where to find sponsors of the miniseries? ..

Try here:

boycottcbs.com - "Don't let the Hollywood Left smear the Reagans and the Reagan Legacy"

[Brian Allen]

<< By virtue of its international distribution network, Hallmark Entertainment, Inc., distributes many films produced by other companies to international audiences, and this movie will be one of those. >> Who does Hallmark think it's dealing with, here? Self-appointed lunatic left-wing-fringers? Motion Picture Production/Distribution is a warp and a weave and one cannot hold together without the other. "Liberalism" is a psychosis. And Hallmark is full of it.