CBS television never produced the "Real Beverly Hillbillies." They did not explain why or say that it would not be produced. They just stopped talking about it.
We count that as a victory for rural America.
• Learn More
• Point of View
• Take Action
• Anatomy of Campaign
• For Press
|
 |
Mr. Leslie Moonves
President
CBS Television
Television City
7800 W Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Mel Karmazin
President and COO
Viacom
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Dear Sirs:
My name is Tom Buffenbarger, and I am president of the International Association of Machinists. My union represents more than 700,000 active members and retirees in the United States and Canada.
I read with dismay plans by CBS to broadcast a show that updates the “Beverly Hillbillies” into a modern reality-based series. Apparently, the object of the show is to hold up a group of rural Americans to ridicule and contempt.
To be frank, the premise of this show is despicable. Many IAM members come from rural areas and would be offended by how you plan to portray them. I know I am.
True, many IAM members know nothing of the finer points of hiring a maid. But they do know a lot about hard work, dedication and courage. They’ve worked hard to make this a great country. They deserve more than to be laughed at.
Please reconsider your plans to broadcast “the Real Beverly Hillbillies.”
Sincerely,
R. Thomas Buffenbarger
International President
|
