Defamer
If a major broadcast network were to undertake a miniseries about a sensitive subject like, say, the Holocaust, you would assume that if they partnered up with the son of a notorious Holocaust denier (and who also directed Passion of the Christ, a film that many considered anti-Semitic), they'd be doing so for a compelling and principled reason, right? So tell us, ABC, what was the high-minded explanation for Mel Gibson's potentially explosive involvement in such a project?
But Quinn Taylor, ABC's senior vice president in charge of movies for television, acknowledged that the attention-getting value of having Mr. Gibson attached to a Holocaust project was a factor.
"Controversy's publicity, and vice versa," Mr. Taylor said.
While the baldfaced grab for controversy might seem utterly crass to us, ABC was powerless against the visionary Gibson's breathtaking pitch for the miniseries' climactic scene, a Braveheart-style battle with thousands of Jewish and Nazi combatants rushing at each other across an open field.
- Mel Gibson Plans TV Miniseries on Holocaust [NY Times
- Previously: Mel Gibson Gets Surprisingly Helpful Notes From Montezuma [Defamer]
Comments
whew! i was worried that Louis Farrakahan's Holocaust was next on ABC's plate. Thank G-d cooler heads prevailed.
He has what my people would call "chutzpah." I just hope he reunites with Tina Turner.
Does this means the Jewish characters will be speaking in Aramaic?
I can't wait for the dance number in the gas chambers! "auschwitz, you shvitz!"
Iwhore, I think you're reaching for the old nickname Disney employees have long used to describe the company: Mouseschwitz. But seriously, making this project with Mel Gibson is more callous than even I ever imangined a TV network capable of.
I just cannot wait for the ABC modern-day remake of "Roots" by first-time director David Duke. It's going to be HUGE, especially the final scene where all characters are left to drown in flooded New Orleans. Very up-to-date.
You do your thing Quinn Taylor ... you .. do your thing. (Averted Gaze)
Heh, The Australian has picked the latter paragraph as fact: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5...
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