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History Channel pulls the plug on 'Kennedys' miniseries
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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.
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Since when "taking a little too much dramatic license" stopped this industry.
Not leaving it up to the public to decide is just an example of PC we've become. :/
Whatever that "dramatic interpretation" is, wouldn't it still be a better fit for History than say, I don't know, Ice Road Truckers? At least it'll be based on historic events. Maybe it'll air on any number of sister nets or something, otherwise what a waste of money.
Could this possibly be a publicity stunt in order to spark interest and the series will air the show on a sister network? Of course!
Hahaha. When I read that they chose not to air it because it took too much dramatic license I couldn't help but chuckle. I mean has anybody else seen the shows that the history channel puts on. How about the Bible of Satan episode or whatever its called. The previews made it sound like there had been some new discovery. But in reality it was just book written by a crazy monk. The History Channel sure has set their standards high lately.
Good news, the Kennedys are and were scum. They abused power and used women like tissue paper. How many women are dead or have been raped or hurt by a Kennedy or one of their scummy in-laws. The Kennedys are and were awfull people that I hope will soon be judged badly by history.
Wait a minute. If the Kennedys does not meet the standards of the History channel they why are they going to allow it to air in other countries? If it doesn't meet their standards why air it at all.
Also, the History Channel seems surpised by the final product. Didn't they know what the tone of the Kennedys was going to be before they signed off on it and gave millions of dollars.
It will still be available in the US at some point. You better believe the History Channel is going to ge their money back some way.
I knew this miniseries was doomed when I heard that Greg Kinear and Katie Holmes were portraying John and Jackie Kennedy.
Hey, if its full of sex and whoring, of course it will be shown
After seeing the trailer, good riddance. Kinnear sounds so woefully miscast it's painful.
I'm sure the miniseries will find a new home, probably on HBO...since it's a good awards candidate.