As a political junkie with a penchant for thought-provoking television shows, I can confidently say that “Deadlock” is a breath of fresh air in today’s polarized climate. Having lived through the tumultuous years of the 2020s, I’ve seen my fair share of political dramas unfold on our screens, but none have come close to capturing the intensity and intellectual rigor of “Deadlock.
The latest political drama on TV surpasses “The West Wing” in sophistication and outmatches “24” in intensity – surprisingly, it’s set to air on PBS.
In “Deadlock,” a gathering of government officials, politicians, religious leaders, and media personnel come together to discuss and resolve — live — the aftermath of a contentious presidential election filled with potential misinformation, legal complexities, and demonstrations. Aaron Tang, a law professor at UC Davis School of Law, navigates key figures such as Jeh C. Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security; Kris Kobach, Kansas’ Attorney General; Scott Pelley, the correspondent from “60 Minutes”; Dr. Rachel Bitecofer, a political strategist; and Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., professor of African American studies at Princeton University through a nerve-wracking Election Night where every choice they make could lead to severe repercussions for the U.S. democratic system.
Tang shared with EbMaster that he was taken aback by the final choices made, but acknowledged that the process was crucial. He also pointed out that the program aids viewers in realizing that negotiations and concessions are more effective than confrontations and personal attacks, which appear to be increasingly common as our nation becomes more divided. The recording took place on Monday, September 9th, at the New-York Historical Society in New York City, with the panelists being informed about the main topic and plotline just moments before the cameras started rolling.
According to Tang, the essence of our approach is to place authentic leaders, influential thinkers, and elected representatives in circumstances mirroring real-world scenarios. Those participating in this program might not always see eye-to-eye, but fostering dialogue, active listening, finding common ground, and building friendships among those with differing opinions will be essential in bridging the divide that exists in America today.
Prior to the commencement of Tang’s questioning, Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Cony Barrett, two esteemed associate justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, introduce a discussion titled “Deadlock”. They emphasize to viewers the necessity of collaboration even when faced with divergent viewpoints on policy, law, or politics. The panel for this “Deadlock” conversation includes Adrian Fontes, Arizona’s secretary of state; Katie Harbath, former Facebook executive and CEO of Anchor Change; Astead Herndon, national politics reporter for The New York Times; Elise Jordan, political analyst for NBC News; Mick Mulvaney, a former Trump White House official and South Carolina Congressman; Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today; and Gabriel Sterling, COO of the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State.
The program takes its cues from the Fred Friendly Seminars, a series of televised symposia orchestrated by the former president of CBS News and production partner with the venerable Edward R. Murrow in the early days of news programming on television. Friendly and his wife, Ruth, helped produce more than 100 seminars broadcast on PBS over the course of more than two decades. The seminars covered everything from medical care to nanotechnology to ethical decisions made the during a host of high-pressure scenarios.
The objective of “Deadlock,” similar to the Seminars, is not to dictate opinions, but to stimulate thought and intensify the struggle of decision-making to such an extent that one can only find relief by contemplating, as described by Andy Lack, the executive producer, who previously held two tenures at NBC News, alluding to Friendly’s original characterization of the initial series.
According to Lack, the Friendly family played a part in the filming process of “Deadlock”. Notably, Ruth Friendly, who is now a century old, was present during the shooting. Moreover, it’s mentioned that Andy Friendly, one of their sons, is part of the production crew.
As a dedicated fan, I’m expressing my excitement at the prospect of seeing more shows similar to “Deadlock” on PBS. Lack, in his words, hints at this possibility and emphasizes that it’s just the beginning for us, considering ourselves as newcomers in this field. With WGBH, the PBS Boston affiliate, backing the show, Lack and John Bredar, vice president of national programming for GBH, have been tirelessly working on this project since most of 2024.
As a devoted cinephile, I appreciate the efforts made to modernize Friendly’s concept for today’s audience. The producers have ingeniously incorporated fresh twists and adjustments to keep the story engaging and relatable. They’ve considered how social media could magnify or skew crucial scenes in the “Deadlock” plotline, and how rapidly information can spread. Moreover, they’ve accounted for a heightened inclination towards passionate debates. Characters like Kovach, for instance, question the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election, while Bitecofer penned a book titled “Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Outsmarting Republicans at Their Own Game.
According to Tang, these individuals aren’t the type who would break into a ‘Kum-bi-ya’ when placed in a room. Instead, he perceived that some of them were eager for conflict.
Producers aim for the show to provide a unique perspective compared to other news and discussion programs. As Lack explains, “The goal isn’t just to debate or argue for a certain length of time, but rather to foster a meaningful conversation.” He further clarifies, “While some segments may be engaging and thrilling, this is an hour-long program. It’s a different kind of dialogue they are pursuing.
The unique aspect of “Deadlock” is that the problematic situation in the story worsens as time progresses. According to Lack, the essence of what Fred Friendly intended was suffering, and the program’s characters gradually comprehend that their efforts can only improve things by collaborating.
The expectation is that audiences will find “Deadlock” hard to overlook due to its captivating nature – a desire to learn if society endures and to grasp the reality that no one can negotiate their way through a nationwide crisis. As Lack puts it, “It really draws people in, forcing them to confront that difficult choice and discuss it openly.” All this, without any prior rehearsals.
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2024-09-19 21:47