HBO to stage 2008 campaign (because you just couldn't get enough of it)

[IDemo]

Posted by Matthew Gilbert April 14, 2009 05:46 AM

If you thought last year's presidential campaign was stranger than fiction, especially after Sarah Palin got into the game, then this one's for you (and me).

We've barely caught our breath after the seemingly endless battle of 2008. But HBO has just optioned a forthcoming book called "Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime" and hired screenwriter Charles Leavitt to adapt it. The book (by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann) and the movie will portray the candidates and follow the election from their point of view.

"It's funny to call Obama and Hillary characters, but that's how I have to look at them," screenwriter Leavitt told Variety. "To me, the primary was one of the greatest title fights of the century, and John and Mark have a treasure chest of anecdotes and inside stories. I think it will present itself almost like a stage play, like 'Frost/Nixon' or 'The Queen.'" Halperin, who is editor-at-large at Time (and no hero to Gawker) and Heilemann, a political correspondent for New York magazine, will be consultants on the film.

After scoring a mess of Emmy nominations (and some critical acclaim, though not mine) with "Recount," HBO is clearly psyched to continue in the pursuit of contemporary politics, as well as historical ("John Adams"). The pay channel already has "Frost/Nixon" scribe Peter Morgan writing-directing a movie called "The Special Relationship," about the rapport between Bill Clinton and Tony Blair featuring Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton, Julianne Moore as Hillary Clinton, and -- who else? -- Michael Sheen as Tony Blair. Perhaps HBO is taking the advice of creative consultant Frank Rich?

http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/blog/2009/04/_if_you_thought.html

[mucifer]

1. what happened to the documentary about the election?

That would be REAL fun!

[IDemo]

2. I am sure there will be more than one to come, but I haven't heard of any yet

[Phx_Dem]

10. I think that is separate, it's being made by Ed Norton's production

company and, I believe, will be shown on HBO.

[Cha]

12. Good..I'm glad there's a backup doc

from Ed Norton to counter any fiction through mark halperin's eyes. Anyone remember some of the crap he came up with during the primaries?

[Phx_Dem]

11. I think that is separate, it's being made by Ed Norton's production

company and, I believe, will be shown on HBO.

[bluestateguy]

3. I wish HBO would do a 7 part series on James Madison instead

Just like the John Adams series.

[ErinBerin84]

4. Mark Halperin? great.....

[truebrit71]

5. My thoughts exactly...what happened, all the real writers were sick that day?

...

[RandomThoughts]

6. I wonder if they will be having a lively music score

with the film... Most videos not on youtube, but from memory some of these fit in pretty good.

Wrapped Around Your Finger
Don't Let It Bring You Down
Voice of Truth
Missionary Man
Call on Jesus
Time after Time (this is great one just before the big meeting on Florida Michigan electorial distribution) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-BgCuzxAKs
Get Jiggy With It (this is great just after last primary, last week 2 this week 1 was great)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4G1L8lV6LQ
Keeping the faith

And for a friend
A place called home - http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/659919


Or add some timely Movie/TV clips most music not still there, but some is

Buffy
Angel
Dr Who
Green Mile - after rev wright issue
Star Blazers
Outer Limits
BattleStar Galactica

What do you think?

[Adelante]

7. I hope they do "Hillary 4 You and Me"

That was the all time best :evilgrin:

[RandomThoughts]

8. I love Hillary

But the primaries did get a little rough, but nothing but love over here. :)

Here is her song you mentioned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FvyGydc8no

:grouphug:

[Adelante]

9. Just teasing

It's all behind us now and Hillary is doing a great job as SoS :grouphug: