HA! Showtime to give free preview during the weekend the REAGANS will air!

[romantico]

E News just had a flash saying SHowtime plans on giving a holiday preview during the weekend the REAGANS plan to air.The clip said Showtime has noticed in increase in subscribers whenever they do a free weekend to non-subscribers.

Didn't cath all of it,but E NEWS DAILY comes on at 6:30pm & I'll be sure to watch.If this is true this could be good.CBS was planning on shwoing the movie once over a course of 2 nights.SHOWTIME may show it up to 25 times over the course of the month!

[arcane1]

1. HA-ha!

they have to know that all this controversy will only make people curious. The repubes are so stupid, they think people won't realize they are trying to HIDE something!!!

[neuvocat]

2. MWAHHH-HAH-HAH!!!!!

That's hysterical!

[Gloria]

3. Free preview/25 showings---Oh, delicious sweet irony!! Sort of like

O'Reilly's attack on Franken's book backfiring!!

[papau]

11. We need to see if Viacom changes director for the Final Cut - they

could still cave to the GOP.

[Nailzberg]

4. They owe the Dems after that DC 9/11 crap.

That POS "Bush was so Heroic" movie. Ready to throw up just thinking about it.

[ShaneGR]

5. LOL, SWEET

In your face wingnuts!

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Ok so Viacom backing off is not a backing off

move after all

This will give the RW a tummy ache, of major proportions

[blm]

7. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAAAAAA.......

Perfect!

[Fixated]

8. .....

Oh someone please find a link, I've been searching. I want to add this to my blog.

[redqueen]

9. Great news.

Thanks for the tip!

Watching the Republicans self-destruct, I almost feel sorry for them... NAH, just kidding!

Could schadenfreude possibly get any better than this?

[ShaneGR]

10. So, un-edited, free of charge, with no commercial interruption???

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[prolesunited]

12. I probably wouldn't have watched it

but seeing as how it's got their panties all in a bunch, I think I'll be tuning in.

I think we need a new term to describe this effect.

franken — v. To increase interest and popularity in a particular piece or writing or programming through through unwarranted right wing howls of protest.

Usage: Threats of public boycotts and Congressional intimidation frankened "The Reagans," which will now air on Showtime.

[livinontheedge]

13. Showtime will never broadcast this movie.

Viacom/CBS buckled under economic pressure. Likewise, Viacom/Showtime will buckle under the same, or worse wingnut pressure. It can only hurt Viacom financially and politically. They would have nothing to gain by showing it. They would be hurt especially hard politically as they are lobbying the FCC and congress as hard as they can for legislation friendly to broadcast TV. I don't even see a 1% chance that this movie will ever be shown. I think Viacom is just trying to save face and not appear like they caved in. They have absolutely, positively everything to lose and nothing to gain by showing it.

[thebigidea]

14. they got crazy publicity on this, the demand for it is much higher now

it may have been a tax write-off before, but I bet the video sales will do nicely.

[livinontheedge]

16. Who would buy it?

Would unbiased, independent voters buy it? I don't think so. No, I think this whole deal, just like the LA Times fiasco surrounding Arnold, makes CBS look as biased as Fox News.

At the end of the day, Viacom has shareholders to make happy. And if those shareholders don't like what Viacom management is doing, they can elect new directors to hire new managers. Summer Redstone is under fire for this whole issue and they just want it to go away quietly. I don't believe for one second that Showtime has "announced" that they plan to show it. You won't find a link to that anywhere I'll bet you.

[snippy]

20. Why would you say this?

"I don't believe for one second that Showtime has "announced" that they plan to show it. You won't find a link to that anywhere I'll bet you."

The fact that you are wrong is easily established.

[livinontheedge]

21. So, easily establish it.

I say this because I'm a business person. I'm a CPA/MBA who looks at things as a business person would look at them. I can't think of anything good, and lots and lots of things bad if Viacom/Showtime broadcasts this movie. I'm talking about economics and politics.

I don't care about Ronald Reagan and would never watch a movie about him. So, I don't have a dog in this fight. But I do understand business, and I would bet my house that Showtime did NOT announce that they were going to broadcast this movie.

So, be my guest. Prove me wrong.

[thebigidea]

22. with pleasure

Showtime has acquired telecast rights to THE REAGANS, the Sony Pictures Television project starring James Brolin and Judy Davis that was scheduled to begin airing on CBS on November 16th. The premium network will work with director Robert Allan Ackerman (SHOWTIME's TENNESSEE WILLIAMS' THE ROMAN SPRING OF MRS. STONE) and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Chicago") to televise this controversial dramatization sometime in 2004.

Showtime has always been a haven for provocative projects that spark strong audience reactions including DC 9/11: TIME OF CRISIS, a portrayal of President George W. Bush and his leadership following our national tragedy and STRANGE JUSTICE, a dramatization of the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill story. From BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA, a powerful film about child abuse to DIRTY PICTURES, an exploration of First Amendment issues, the premium network prides itself on offering its subscribers the kind of programming broadcast networks will not always embrace.

In spite of the fact that no one has seen the finished film, Showtime acknowledges that there is controversy surrounding THE REAGANS. As a result, the network is planning to provide an on-air forum in conjunction with the airing of the film that will provide a dialogue for those who agree and disagree with its content.

Showtime will collaborate with the filmmaker to create a final film that will be the kind of quality programming its subscribers have come to expect from the network.

http://www.sho.com/site/announcements/current.do

check and mate, I believe.

--

and being a film person, I can tell you that many filmmakers would KILL for this amount of publicity for a made4tv flick.

You may understand business, but I understand film. Whenever this sort of "contraversy" surrounds a project, it always ends up making dough for the producers. Last Temptation of Christ, Life of Brian, etc.

Hmm, I didn't know Judy Davis was in it. I love her work... gotta admit, great choice for Nancy Reagan.

[livinontheedge]

24. This doesn't support what the poster said!

This is some vague, ambiguous plan to broadcast "sometime in 2004". That is NOT what the poster is asserting and the poster's assertion is what I'm disbelieving. Showtime is simply "saving face" for Viacom by making this "sometime in 2004" comment. I would bet my house we'll never see this movie.

[thebigidea]

25. backpedaling, are ya?

"I don't believe for one second that Showtime has "announced" that they plan to show it. "

Is what you said.

Now, that press release... how can you interpret that as Showtime NOT announcing that they plan to show it?

"You won't find a link to that anywhere I'll bet you."

And I just did. What did I win? Your house, huh? Start packing.

[livinontheedge]

27. I was referring to the poster's assertion.

"Sometime in 2004" is not an "announcement". An "announcement" would be "we will broadcast this show on November 15th. Look, you believe all you want that Viacom will shoot itself in the foot. I don't think they are that stupid. I could be wrong and I'll apologize if I am.

[thebigidea]

29. you did not specify "november 15th" any where

Yes, "sometime in 2004" is an announcement. Its the top thing on their website, for Christ's sake.

Now please sign over the deed to your house, or at least buck up and admit you know nothing about the film biz.

[livinontheedge]

31. I don't consider "sometime in 2004" an annoucement.

You'll never see this movie. If CBS had made a move about Martin Luther King that we thought (right or wrong) contained inaccuracies, the NAACP would have arranged a boycott and CBS would have backed down, just like now. They would try to save face and say we'll broadcast "sometime in 2004" and then just bury the movie. As I said, if I'm wrong, I'll be the first to apologize.

In additon to the political and economic damage that would be done to Viacom and its interests, who would watch the movie besides democrats?

[thebigidea]

35. please explain what hallucinatory logic you're using

the above pr release is straight from their website. They announce that they bought the film and that it will air this year.

It may not say the day or time, but it would take a very peculiar definition of "announcement" to say that its not an announcement.

You denied Showtime would say anything about it, and demanded a link.

It was promptly provided.

"As I said, if I'm wrong, I'll be the first to apologize."

You are wrong. Your stubborness is comical, but I guess one has to backpedal after offering their home.

"In additon to the political and economic damage that would be done to Viacom and its interests, who would watch the movie besides democrats?"

Sigh. You really DO know nothing about the film business, eh?

[snippy]

30. You said this:

"I don't believe for one second that Showtime has "announced" that they plan to show it. You won't find a link to that anywhere I'll bet you."

Are you now saying that you did not say this?

Or are you now saying that you did not mean to say this?

Or are you now saying something entirely different?

Or what?

I'm somewhat confused by your comments. Does this happen to you frequently?

[livinontheedge]

32. I admit, I could have made my point more clearly.

What I'm not believing for a second is what the poster is asserting.

[snippy]

37. The poster's assertion appears to have more validity than yours.

Perhaps the poster based the assertion on facts.

[thebigidea]

40. you don't have a point. You're dead wrong and unable to admit it

remind me never to take you up on a wager.

Sigh.

Case closed!

[snippy]

23. I have read the information on the Viacom and Showtime websites.

Have you?

[Judi Lynn]

36. You're right. Yay, video sales.

After I watch it on Showtime, I definitely would love to rent it later, to "refresh my memory!"

Also, the Republican Denial Committee HAS to be kidding to claim that Nancy is such a demure, refined woman, and the movie lied. We heard in the 1980's that she was absolute hell on wheels, getting into battles with people in the Cabinet, even. I think she was responsible for forcing one of them out of his position, like Donald Regan or someone.

Does anyone remember that as soon as she arrived at the White House she insisted that the old White House china simply wouldn't do for someone of her quality, and she had all of it removed and replaced at enormous cost? I know it's trivial, but it's an indicator of what kind of buttheads they were.

I'll bet everything is simply just as they portrayed it, or they would have been afraid of being sued.

Too bad the film doesn't get into Iran-Contra.

[ikojo]

15. This is justice. It makes me want to get cable just to

have Showtime for that weekend!

I hate that CBS, who obviously had no problem with a HITLER movie, caved into to the American version of the Nazi party.

[Cat Atomic]

17. Those poor idiots never learn. If you want to hide something,

DON'T protest it.

Remember the Last Temptation of Christ? Before I found out that the fundamentalists hated it, there was no way would I have gone to see it.

So now this Reagan movie is an actual selling point. Hilarious.

Free Market, guys- suck it up.

[livinontheedge]

18. Gotta link to this "news"?

Didn't think so.

[Gin]

19. if its free...I will watch it...hope this is true.

[thebigidea]

26. so what are you implying? that the poster made this up?

[livinontheedge]

28. Yes.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[snippy]

42. Why would you say this?

"I'll believe it when I see it."

The fact that this statement is untrue already has been established.

[KAZ]

43. It seems rather obvious, no?

Just drop it with this guy.

[haymaker]

44. It's obvious to me KAZ,

but I have see-through vision, even though I didn't need it.

[RedSox02]

33. Hey Hannity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DRUDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahah

Showtime: Man those are some funny bastards. Way to go guys!

[info being]

34. WONDERFULL!

Who needs the stinkin' advertisers anyway.

[xultar]

38. HAHAHAHAHA ROTFLMAO HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[indigo32]

39. LOLOLOLOL

that is so cool

[jsw_81]

41. LOLOLOLOL

Hilarious!

[West Coast Democrat]

45. Showtime's Ratings Will Go Through the Roof!

All of this attention is sure to have the same kind of effect that Fox New's lawsuit had on Al Franken's book...but even more so.

[lumpy]

46. Glad to hear this

Although I've read enough and know enough about the Reagans to last me the rest of my lifetime. I'll not wasting my time.