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How does HBO’s ‘Confederate’ compare with past controversial TV and film?
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Aug 7, 2017
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How does HBO’s ‘Confederate’ compare with past controversial TV and film?
HBO has a new show called “Confederate,” which gives the audience a look at what life would be like if the Confederacy had won the Civil War, and slavery was never abolished.
A member of the Ku Klux Klan holds a Confederate flag over his face during a rally, calling for the protection of Southern Confederate monuments, in Charlottesville, Virginia on July 8, 2017.
The afternoon rally in this quiet university town has been authorized by officials in Virginia and stirred heated debate in America, where critics say the far right has been energized by Donald Trump's election to the presidency.
 / AFP PHOTO / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS        (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)
A member of the Ku Klux Klan holds a Confederate flag over his face during a rally, calling for the protection of Southern Confederate monument.
(
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images
)

HBO has a new show called “Confederate,” which gives the audience a look at what life would be like if the Confederacy had won the Civil War, and slavery was never abolished.

HBO has a new show called “Confederate,” which gives the audience a look at what life would be like if the Confederacy had won the Civil War, and slavery was never abolished.

While the show is still in the early stages of production, protests have already started. The showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who are also showrunner “Game of Thrones,” have taken criticism from the public over their lack of diverse casting for GOT. Nichelle Tramble Spellman and Malcolm Spellman have been recruited to write “Confederate,” but how they handle the delicate subject matter remains to be seen. How do you feel about the idea behind “Confederate”? Is slavery a topic that should be off limits in this context? Where do you draw the line as an audience member when choosing controversial shows?

Guest:

Debra Birnbaum, executive editor for TV at Variety Magazine; she wrote the Variety article, “HBO on #NoConfederate Campaign: ‘We Hope People Will Reserve Judgment’”

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, Morning Edition, AirTalk Friday, The L.A. Report Morning Edition
Senior Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Associate Producer, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek