...is the notion that the corporate-controlled networks would put real honest-to-God leftists on TV to spout politics, such as the film's Angela Davis-type character.
Absolutely no chance in hell.
Extreme right-wingers and crypto-fascists, sure (they're doing it now, and have for years) -- but not actual leftists.
Send her to the snakes!
I think that's a pretty astute observation SuperDevil 👍 Agreed.
However, it seems to me that Chayefsky himself was something of a pseudo-progressive. i.e.: Not quite the real deal. Kind of an intellectual-moderate posing as a "progressive/liberal." So that may be why he made that mistake. Whatever his credibility in terms of being truly left/progressive/radical (none imho), there's no denying he was often quite brilliant with his writing.
And the Angela Davis character you mention gives me my personal favorite scene in the film: When she's ranting and arguing w/ her fellow radicals and network execs over production costs, revenue, William Morris, syndication rights, etc... at what appears to be their secret house location, I laugh my ass off every time. "Don't *beep* with my distribution costs!" Priceless absurd irony. Absolutely hilarious.
It reminded me of the communist writers guild in Hail Caesar secretly meeting in the luxurious cliff top mansion essentially under the guise of a greater share for the masses, to elicit more money for them!
shareAt the time this was made, All in the Family was one of the most popular shows on TV. I would argue that Mike and Gloria are leftists and represent Norman Lear's true opinions.
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My top 250: http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?user=SlackerInc&perpage=250
You've never watched the BBC have you?
shareDuring the 1960s & 1970s, you could see genuine leftists on TV, at least on some talk shows & on PBS, which was far more adventurous in those days.
But I agree that the possibility of seeing anything like that today is nil.
indian news channels are crazy about ARUNDHATI ROY. she has been on tv many many times.
shareWhile they're not communists I think Aaron Sorkin and Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes and Lawrence O'Donnell still are leftists and NBC and MSNBC did or does give them platforms to preach their political opinions.
shareOnly in America can they be considered leftists. In much of the rest of the world, they're centrists leaning slightly to the left of center.
shareThe leftists in this movie were revolutionaries using violence to achieve their means. That's why it made for successful TV. The politics themselves weren't important, as Diana Christensen kept pointing out: It was bank robberies, assassinations, bombings she wanted to show on TV.
"If it bleeds, it leads" -- exactly.
shareI trust the OP is being highly sarcastic, as the mainstream news is almost entirely under the control of the lefty-globalists. Please!
shareThey are controlled by the left as you see them, but compared to the 60's and 70's television programs, there is nothing left about what is shown today. Issues progressives talk about are rarely heard on corporate television. Why would corporate media want the people to know the truth? Exactly, they wouldn't.
shareYou are so correct. Corporate media would never allow anyone like that Angela Davis-type character on television now. They allow anyone to go as right as they want, but the media will only allow the left to go just so far before they start squirming in their seats.
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