HBO On Defense: Writer Danny Strong Claims No Agenda Behind Palin Film
by John NolteHBO is one of the most liberal entertainment outlets ever conceived, but at the very least you had to respect them for not trying to hide that agenda. So why go all spineless now? Part of HBO’s absurd, intelligence-insulting denial is simply disingenuous. The network’s “agenda” took a pretty big hit when Governor Palin chose not to run in 2012, but the timing of this docu-drama, which is based on a political book written my John Heilamann and Mark Halperin, was always obvious: Drop this bomb in the heat of the GOP primary.
In a politically polarized country, the people behind HBO’s upcoming movie on Sarah Palin’s vice presidential campaign are being careful not to take one side or the other.
“There is no agenda here,” Danny Strong, writer of the film “Game Change,” said at a news conference Friday. Filmmakers said they sought historical accuracy.
The movie debuts March 10. It is based on John Heilemann and Mark Halperin’s book about the 2008 presidential campaign, but focuses specifically on Palin. Director Jay Roach said he wrote a long letter to the former Alaska governor seeking an interview with her to help the film, “but I got a very quick email back from her attorney saying, `I checked, she declined.’”
Roach and Strong were the team behind HBO’s Emmy-winning “Recount” about the disputed 2000 presidential election.
“I don’t think this movie is going to change people’s minds one way or another,” Strong said. “People are very polarized. It’s not designed to change people’s minds.”
Of course, what HBO won’t tell you is that the source material chosen to tell this story is in and of itself agenda-driven. So egregious was “Game Change” in its lack of sourcing that even liberal news outlets were critical:
Critics questioned the lack of explicit sourcing in Game Change, which was done on “deep background” with no sources being identified in any way. This followed the approach made famous in many of Bob Woodward’s books. A Poynter Institute journalism ethics scholar said a danger of this method is that “both accuracy and fairness can be in jeopardy when anonymous sources are overused and misused” and that deep background sources “cannot be held easily accountable.” Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times wrote that the authors of Game Change “serve up a spicy smorgasbord of observations, revelations and allegations — some that are based on impressive legwork and access, some that simply crystallize rumors and whispers from the campaign trail, and some that it’s hard to verify independently as more than spin or speculation on the part of unnamed sources.” Kakutani and Marc Ambinder of The Atlantic both said that at times the book veered into gossip.
Finally, Danny Strong, the film’s writer who is doing the “too much protesting,” was also behind HBO’s “Recount,” the Republican-bashing and wildly unfair look at the 2000 presidential election that HBO broadcast right in the heart of the 2008 election.
If you want a look at how much money the film’s participants have donated to Democrats and Obama, click here.
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64 Comments
"The network’s “agenda” took a pretty big hit when Governor Palin chose not to run in 2012" –John Nolte
"Sarah Palin always has the last laugh" –Me
I don't know if it's going to be a hit piece. HBO has no reason to torpedo someone who isn't even running.
From a far left perspective they may think this piece is middle of the road. Just like Michael Moores movies are "documentaries" and unbiased.
Do you REALLY believe that? Really????
Of the celebrity people the Palins are the the type I admire. (Family Values). I am glade I will not be able to view this hit piece we don't subscribe to HBO. If these liberals want to keep insulting me, my family & friends they will never get another dime from me!!
But when they greenlighted the project, pretty much everyone assumed that she would be running (it takes time to make productions like this, after all).
When HBO comes on Fox, I'll watch it.
"Game Change" was one of the worst books I read that year. Basically it was dishonest. It was marketed as an inside account of the candidates. But it was no such thing. It was a simple pro-Obama screed.
Each of the contenders was depicted as flawed except Obama who was lauded in a hagiographic fashion. There was no discussion of Obama's radicalism, or mysterious background, or disturbing associations. These two supposed insiders never learned about Obama that wasn't in the press kit.
Uh, yes they do. The left will attack anyone that threatens them.
The book was a hit-piece on Palin but we're supposed to believe the movie version isn't? Riiiight. Anyone who wastes their time on this dreck will be doing so because they hope there will be some new gossip and smears against Palin. They're sure not going to tune in expecting a fair portrayal.
The last decent entertainment from HBO was the Sopranos. Since then—nothing.
….Sarah laughs at the Lying Left's PSYCHOTIC OBSESSION with her and grows STRONGER…….
She makes us laugh….a cross between Peg Bundy and Roseanne Barr.
You know there has to be an agenda with this movie because while Palin is respectable she is not interesting in the least – it's an attempt to smear.
..You've just described Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell and Janeane Garafalo – all darlings of the Left……
..You've just described Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell and Janeane Garafalo – all darlings of the Left……
Corey Feldman announced that he will reveal the name of two Hollywood pedophiles that abused him in his new book..Maybe he will tell us more about the "casting couch" system that he mentioned in his interview.
"Casting couch" help us to explain a LOT of things…how so many entertainers carry so much water for the socialist and "gay" agenda…how so many people with no talent make it to the top, how so many entertainers go berserk at some point in their careers, etc, etc…"Casting couch" explains a lot of things…
None of whom strung along supporters pretending they were going to run for the nomination for President….
……You sound so disappointed she isn't running – Sarah's smile went deep into your slimy Marxist psyche and is driving you insane……heh
Danny Strong: “I don’t think this movie is going to change people’s minds one way or another,” Strong said. “People are very polarized. It’s not designed to change people’s minds.”
And you wonder why people are very polarized? It is because the Left has cruelly and repeatedly attacked Sarah Palin as if she is Satan and without even bothering to give her the slightest benefit of doubt.
So screw you Danny Strong, Roach, and all of your leftist ilk being absolutely responsible for the polarization of the American people.
Hey, they'll even attack people who DON'T threaten them.
They need devils for their Two-Minute Hate sessions. They HAVE to have villains to demonize and/or ridicule.
It's a NECESSARY feature of leftism, an essential part of the narrative.
"Not a HIT piece"??? RIGHT. no. never. Not from HOLLYWEIRD. Sarc.
OF COURCE it IS a HIT piece.
The two unnamed sources for the book/movie were staffers from Romney's failed campaign. Are they working on campaigns this go around? Romney lets others do his dirty work so no smudges appear on his hands.
just as you did with your smear, "she is not interesting in the least"?????
I'm sure these people honestly believe they have "no agenda" with their Palin hit-piece movie. These people are cut from the same ideological cloth as the kook that the Daily Show exposed here
There is no agenda because bashing some evil harpy like Palin is as neutral and mainstream as bashing Hitler.
Cut from a cloth. That explains it. They kaint hep it.
And that is a concern of yours because?
The money was already spent.
Strange. Having read GAME CHANGE, the bulk of the book is actually about Hilary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama. Edwards and Joe Biden come off worse than anybody else. The Palin stuff is barely 10% of the book. And that's what Jay Roach chose to focus on?
besides the Sopranos, Deadwood and The Wire were pretty good too.
"us "
Do you have any independent thoughts on this or any other matter, or are you a typical leftist troll who absorbs the opinion of the mob, and if you yell louder and act more obnoxiously then your opinion is valid?
Your keyboard is going to get all messed up when your head explodes.
May I point out that screenwriter and actor Danny Strong played the role of "Jonathan," a multi-season villain, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Just sayin'.
Interested in Palin? Watch the Undefeated. Not a hit piece, but a piece that hits home!
Is he the SoB that shot Tara and made Willow go all veiny?
If people want an antidote to the hit pieces by HBO, one should take a look at the STARZ series BOSS. This series, starring conservative great Kelsey Grammar, gives us an in depth look into the specific political machine that gave rise to such figures as Obama, Rahm Emmanuel, Bill Ayers, and the Daleys. In doing so, the viewer gains a beter understanding of the Obama Administration and the mentality they live by. In this series, we witness how the politicians of this world are venom filled, power hungry (and sometimes groveling) manipulators who will betray or destroy ANYONE in the name of maintaining or expanding their power; while seducing the public with speeches, smiles, and looks. Their spouses are dangerous oportunists who are less in love with their spouses and more in love with the power that their spouses can bring them and will overlook their faults in exchange for more access to that power. The Union leaders are revealed to be ruthless thugs who know NO BOUNDS when enforcing their will or the will of the politicians they support.
SEE NEXT POST
CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS POST ABOUT THE SHOW "BOSS"
- In the series BOSS, the audience discovers that the members of the "crusading media" are realy self righteous jackals who are also willing to betray and manipulate, NOT to report the facts, but to make sure that the story fits the narrative that they wish to force upon the public. Even the media's "courageous whistleblowers" are shown to be corrupt individuals who are merely being SELECTIVE about which skeletons are dug up and will do what is neccessary to keep other skeletons buried. This is the true narrative that the left does not wish reported. BOSS takes down the curtains and gives us a clear look into the world that created, encouraged, and protects Obama and his minions.
But in the end Romney goes paper and O goes scissors.
Danny Strong was born with a silver foot in his mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I luv Danny. He was brilliant on Buffy- the little gnome. So he writes huh? Good for him.
Seriously…drop HBO. The first reason is this stuff. The second reason is that there is no point of having those channels in the age of Netflix.
Snort!
When a Liberal says that, they mean "Conservatives are too dumb to understand that they should be Liberal," to explain why nothing they do changes people's minds. Fact is, people can change their minds when given good enough arguments and enough time. It's the "good enough" part they are lacking.
HBO had one great series, Band of Brothers, and one near great one, The Pacific. Both were the Spielberg/Hanks retellings of the Second World War.
There are a few others, but the two war films are the only ones that stand out.
This Palin film is just dreck.
I don't know if it's going to be a hit piece. HBO has no reason to torpedo someone who isn't even running.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note to MB, this was made last year when popular speculation was that she was running. It's also a way to keep hamming the MSM/pop culture narrative that Palin is too polarizing.
Say, Obama's ratings are pretty low…some would say he's polarizing too, but you never hear that narrative in the MSM. Hmmmmmm. Wonder why.
Most of the book was on Obama/Hilliary. McCain was only in the last part and Palin was only a fraction of that. And "Game Change" is going to be about Palin???? That's like taking "Star Wars" and making the main emphasis on Vader's dry cleaner. Yes, I like dry cleaners. I think they're great, but I don't recall any in Vader's tie fighter or at the light saber duel with Kenobi.
I wonder if the authors/producers got source material from Joe McGuinness
LOL
Most of the book was on Obama/Hilliary. McCain was only in the last part and Palin was only a fraction of that. And "Game Change" is going to be about Palin???? That's like taking "Star Wars" and making the main emphasis on Vader's dry cleaner. Yes, I like dry cleaners. I think they're great, but I don't recall any in Vader's tie fighter or at the light saber duel with Kenobi.
May I suggest: "How Obama was elected and Palin was targeted" by John Ziegler"
I love Netflix and Hulu Plus. I no longer need my DVD as my shows are all there wherever I go.
You can get "The Undefeated" on Netflix. I think Hulu Plus has the Ziegler flim "How Obama was elected and Palin was targeted".
I think Sarah Palin's story woul be a really good one for a film (if were honest and unbiased). How awesome is it that she started out on city council and worked her way up. No Ivy league education. A real regular person.
Sarah Palin is very savvy. She knew it wouldn't matter if she cooperated, because they were going to do what they wanted, anyway. This film is based on lies. As with the book, I will not be wasting my time on this project.
I don't blame Julianne Moore, how many good roles are offered to forty year old actresses? Meryl Streep seems to have been chosen for all those roles and she's busy on her own project of attacking Margaret Thacher. Moore is looking forward to pretty much nothing in her Hollywood career.
Nor do I blame the writers for focusing on Plain even if Palin wasn't the main focus of the book. Do some "man on the street" interviews. Those few who remember John McCain will be surprised that he's still alive. He's followed Bob Dole and Walter Mondale into well deserved obscurity.
Palin however became a very active political force – probably the principal national Republican until the 2012 election process spun up with the debates last year. Palin is an original. She's a phenomenon. In the congressional elections of of 2010 her endorsement got political neophytes elected. Obama's endorsement was often counterproductive losing votes for Democratic incumbents.
How many ex-Vice Presidents stay in the news? How many losing Vice Presidential candidates are ever heard from again? People remember Geraldine Ferraro because she was the first female candidate from a major national party. Palin was the second. But Ferraro after her defeat was on TV maybe twice in three decades. No one cared to ask her opinion except if there were a female candidate being considered. Palin in contrast was shadowed by hostile and favorable press endlessly. No one was better copy.
So it's not surprising that Palin is the focus of a movie. She's made her own movie and will no doubt be the focus of more movies. She's a star.
I am referring to the leftists' repeat demonization of conservative viewpoints and politics of people like Sarah Palin, et all. Liberals are guilty of aiding and abetting the Left.
No, that was Adam Busch's character, Warren Mears.
If you really believe that, you won't want to pass up the opportunity to buy my interest in the bridge that connects Manhattan to the mainland.
The only reasons to have Palin involved were to (a) drive up ratings and (b) blame her if it bombed and (c) enhance the lies by pointing out she was "involved" with the project.
lol It's not a smear – Palin is a nice person who I think is right on many issues…. But she's not a complex, fascinating person.
…The GW Bridge?
Game of Thrones.
Eastbound and Down….Kenny Powers rules, but it's still not enough for me to resubscribe….
She was interesting enough to have a reality show on TLC (which did quite well as I recall) and the subject of at least two movies. Complex?? who cares, is that like the subtle nuances of Obama who can't form a coherent thought without a prompter? Or allegedly graduated from Harvard, yet doesn't know the difference between "corps" and "corpse"?
Having a reality show that is "did quite well" doesn't make a person interesting – the Kardashians have a show and are mind-numbingly uninteresting. And why did you bring up Obama? He's not interesting either – unless you count his amazing ability to lie without restraint.
Bozos on the Left, like these Hollywood folks making this movie, and bozos on the Right, like you and everyone else who takes automatic offense to a remark that states "Palin is respectable but not interesting," are completely-and I fear irreversibly-irrationally obsessed with the Palins for reasons that I will never understand.
I thought Obama was good as Urkel. He made me laugh when he said "did I do that?" or at least I use to but now I think you did do that. You f'ed up the economy and now I am not laughing but feel like that cop dad who was really upset at Urkel all the time.
Indeed. Leftists are complete losers and they're always looking for someone on which to blame their personal failings. The trolls here are classic examples.
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