AMERICA.01 {PREMIERE} {TERRORIST ATTACKS} (TV)
Summary
The premiere in this news magazine series dedicated to life in the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Charles Gibson hosts this edition from the U.S.S. Intrepid in the Port of New York. The first report, from Elizabeth Vargas, focuses on a group of survivors from what Gibson and Vargas call "the other ground zero," the Pentagon. Lieutenant Colonel Marilyn Wills, Colonel Philip McNair, and Dr. Betty Maxfield recall their escape from the building, in which they were attending a meeting when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into it. Vargas explains that the three and others formed "a human chain" to crawl through the smoke, debris, and darkness to find a window. Next, John McWethy provides a quick news update on the crash of a U.S. special operations helicopter in Afghanistan earlier in the day. Following this, Jeffrey Kofman shares his journal entries from the deck of the U.S.S. Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, as its personnel prepared to launch bombers toward Afghanistan. He is particularly vocal about the role-model potential of a pilot identified as Gabby, one of a handful of female F16 fighter pilots in the world. She talks about the challenging nature of her work and the satisfaction it brings her. In the next report, Connie Chung discusses the legacy of Jim Berger, a vice president at the Aon consulting firm in the World Trade Center, who saved the lives of many of his employees but lost his own in the attacks. Berger's wife Suzanne talks about his spirit and the memories his sons treasure, and she plays Chung part of a videotape she received from singer Bruce Springsteen the night before her husband's memorial service. Reading in a newspaper article that Berger loved his music, particularly the song "Thunder Road," Springsteen recorded a special rendition of the tune in the hero's memory. Finally, Jay Schadler reports on the high security now in force in the historical community of Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, which is near a major nuclear power plant that is considered a potential target. Although residents express their concern about the future, select board chair Ken Tavares draws a lesson about moving forward from the story of the Pilgrims. Gibson closes by expressing gratitude that the past week, during which the nation was called to high alert by Attorney General John Ashcroft, has passed quietly. Includes commercials, promos, and a public service announcement. Commercials include Dorothy Hamill for Vioxx, and public service announcements include Eddie George for the United Way.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 2, 2001 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:01:06
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:67952
- GENRE: Magazine
- SUBJECT HEADING: Aircraft carriers; Pentagon (Va.); September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001; War on Terrorism, 2001-
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2001
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - American Airlines
- TV - Commercials - Arm & Hammer Advance Breath Care products
- TV - Commercials - Burlington Coat Factory clothing stores
- TV - Commercials - Chevrolet automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Discover credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Energizer batteries
- TV - Commercials - Fairfield Inn/Marriott hotels
- TV - Commercials - Fannie Mae Foundation credit information
- TV - Commercials - Fisher-Price toys
- TV - Commercials - Flonases allergy medication
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobile dealer service centers
- TV - Commercials - Jack in the Box fast food
- TV - Commercials - Listerine mouthwash
- TV - Commercials - Macy's department stores
- TV - Commercials - Mervyn's department stores
- TV - Commercials - Nexium heartburn medication
- TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Petco pet stores
- TV - Commercials - Rolaids antacid medication
- TV - Commercials - Sears department stores
- TV - Commercials - Slim-Fast weight-loss beverages
- TV - Commercials - Vioxx osteoarthritis medication
- TV - PSA - The United Way charitable organization
- TV - Promos - "Alias"
- TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News"
- TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
- TV - Promos - "Nightline"
- TV - Promos - "Once and Again"
- TV - Promos - "Ransom" [telecast of a feature film]
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
- TV - Promos - "The Tour Championship" golf game
- TV - Promos - "Thieves"
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
- TV - Promos - "World News Tonight"
- TV - Promos - ABC News
CREDITS
- David Doss … Executive Producer
- John Siceloff … Senior Producer, Senior Broadcast Producer
- Karen Burnes … Senior Producer
- Robert Lange … Senior Producer, Senior Program Producer
- Jessica Velmans … Senior Producer
- Lisa Soloway … Senior Producer, Senior Producer, Story Development
- Victor Neufeld … Senior Producer, Senior Executive Producer
- Jennifer Grossman … Senior Producer, Senior Operations Producer
- Danielle A. Baum … Production (Misc.), Production Coordinator
- George Paul … Director
- Judy Staeven Davies … Writer
- For "Pentagon Hero":
- Steven Schnee … Producer, Writer
- Jim DuBreuil … Producer, Writer
- Barbarba Starr … Producer
- Elizabeth Vargas … Writer
- For "Postcards from Plymouth":
- Clem Taylor … Producer, Writer
- Jay Schadler … Writer
- For "Aircraft Carrier":
- Chris Whipple … Producer, Writer
- David Perozzi … Producer, Writer
- Jeffrey Kofman … Writer
- For "Aon Hero":
- Teri Whitcraft … Producer, Writer
- Santina Leuci … Production (Misc.), Field Producer
- Charles Gibson … Anchor
- Connie Chung … Reporter
- Jeffrey Kofman … Reporter
- John McWethy … Reporter
- Jay Schadler … Reporter
- Elizabeth Vargas … Reporter
- Eddie George … Talent, United Way PSA
- Dorothy Hamill … Talent, Vioxx commercial
- John Ashcroft
- Jim Berger
- Suzanne Berger
- Betty Maxfield
- Philip McNair
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ken Tavares
- Marilyn Wills