EMPIRE OF REASON, AN: NEW YORK STATE'S RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION (TV)
Summary
This program, hosted by governors Mario M. Cuomo of New York and Thomas Kean of New Jersey, dramatizes the actual events leading to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787-1788, and in particular New York State's crucial role in the ratification process. Using modern-day dress and language, the program shows the debate over ratification being covered by interview shows, news reports and public affairs programs on the fictional Continental Television Network. The debate between Federalist and anti-Federalist factions centers on the decision to adopt a central government. Program highlights include the following: the CTN Nightly News with Walter Cronkite; a demonstration outside City Hall about inadequate garbage collection, with Mayor Edward I. Koch of New York City as Mayor Duane, circa 1788; a weather report for the thirteen states by WNBC-TV weatherman Al Roker; "Trading Eddie", a 1787 version of today's well-known "Crazy Eddie" commercials; a debate between John Lansing, Jr., Judge Robert Yates, and Alexander Hamilton on the "MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour"; a segment of the tabloid talk show "Donahue," in which delegates to the New York State Ratifying Convention express opposing views about the ratification, and audience members voice their opinions; an edition of "Firing Line," in which host William F. Buckley, Jr. sides with Alexander Hamilton against Duchess County, N.Y., delegate Melancton Smith; and coverage of New York State's Ratifying Convention in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore R. Stanley.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: July 12, 1988 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:37
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T88:0570
- GENRE: Docudrama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Docudrama; She Made It Collection (Andrea Mitchell); U S - Bicentennial celebrations; U S - History - Confederation, 1783-1789; U S constitution; African-American Collection - News/Talk
- SERIES RUN: WNET (New York, NY) - TV, 1988
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Nicole A. Gordon … Executive Producer
- Ellen Hovde … Producer, Director
- Muffie Meyer … Producer, Director
- Amy U. Kaufman … Co-Producer
- Ronald H. Blumer … Writer
- Arnold Black … Music by
- Mario M. Cuomo … Host
- Thomas H. Kean … Host
- Francois Giroday … Cast, Alexander Hamilton
- Christopher Curry … Cast, John Lansing, Jr.
- Nesbitt Blaisdell … Cast, Gov. George Clinton
- Jamey Sheridan … Cast, Daniel Shays
- Sol Wachtler … Cast, John Jay
- Edward I. Koch … Cast, Mayor Duane
- Jerry Carroll … Cast, "Trading" Eddie
- Joseph P. Warren … Cast, Judge Robert Yates
- E.G. Marshall … Cast, Federalist spokesman
- James Rebhorn … Cast, Jesse Woodhull
- John C. Venema … Cast, Robert R. Livingston
- Rex Robbins … Cast, Isaac Roosevelt
- Eli Wallach … Cast, Anti-Federalist spokesman
- Roberts Blossom … Cast, Melancton Smith
- Phil Donahue
- Al Roker
- Walter Cronkite
- John Chancellor
- Fred Graham
- Forrest Sawyer
- Andrea Mitchell
- William F. Buckley, Jr.
- Charlayne Hunter-Gault
- Robert MacNeil