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Have you heard this before? Somehow being sandwiched between Washington and Jefferson and then followed by a son of the same name has dimmed the light of this founding father. Do you agree with this? Do you think that John Adams deserves his own HBO MiniSeries?
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Posts:
536
Registered:
1/17/08
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(29 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 23, 2008 11:48 AM
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> Wow! Don't get me started! The History Channel used
> to be called "The Hitler Channel" for good reason due
> to their constant viewing of WW II documentaries.
> They've broadened the scope some, but they still aim
> m at the same demographic (or so it seems). I'd say,
> the 35 - 50 male crowd, which means war, war, war.
> Or, monster trucks, Axemen, UFOs, and other things
> s that have absolutely nothing to do with history.
> They once showed the film Planet of the Apes! Don't
> t get me wrong, I'm a guy myself. But as it is now,
> I ignore the channel 80% of the time because it tends
> to be either boring or a repeat, and half the time
> has nothing to do with history. History is a hell of
> a wider broad stroke then the way the History Channel
> is painting it. It could be so much more interesting
> if they broadened their scope. When was the last
> time you saw something on there about Women's
> History? How about Labor or Industrial History?
> Pretty seldom stuff seen on the History Channel. As
> s it is now, the only time you might see something
> out of the ordinary is on a Saturday and Sunday
> morning around 6 0r 7:00 am, when they are showing
> their educational stuff.
I agree 100% - History Channel has completely dropped the ball and totally lost their focus. It's a very sad shade of what it used to be and what it COULD be. I haven't watched it in an age because of their awkward and confusing direction in programming. It's almost like the head of the channel is allowing his 14 year old nephew run things for awhile. What's next? WWE? Monday Night Football?
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*********
Host_Ginna
HBO Forums Host
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Posts:
10
Registered:
3/26/08
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(28 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 23, 2008 10:30 AM
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> I think the history channel could improve a lot.
> Although WWII and the holocaust are extremely
> y significant points in american history, there are
> hundreds if not thousands of other things that seem
> to be forgotten about on that channel. I agree HBO
> did a better job with this series than History
> Channel could have ever hoped to do.
Wow! Don't get me started! The History Channel used to be called "The Hitler Channel" for good reason due to their constant viewing of WW II documentaries. They've broadened the scope some, but they still aim at the same demographic (or so it seems). I'd say, the 35 - 50 male crowd, which means war, war, war. Or, monster trucks, Axemen, UFOs, and other things that have absolutely nothing to do with history. They once showed the film Planet of the Apes! Don't get me wrong, I'm a guy myself. But as it is now, I ignore the channel 80% of the time because it tends to be either boring or a repeat, and half the time has nothing to do with history. History is a hell of a wider broad stroke then the way the History Channel is painting it. It could be so much more interesting if they broadened their scope. When was the last time you saw something on there about Women's History? How about Labor or Industrial History? Pretty seldom stuff seen on the History Channel. As it is now, the only time you might see something out of the ordinary is on a Saturday and Sunday morning around 6 0r 7:00 am, when they are showing their educational stuff.
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Posts:
3
Registered:
2/5/02
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(27 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 22, 2008 6:51 PM
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Yes, Adams was overshadowed by two more physically imposing men, Washington and Jefferson, who were tall, stately and inspired men. Adams seemed to have a brilliant legal mind, being able to juggle opposing views at the same time (not many can do this). He was blunt and did not suffer fools gladly. Probably some viewed him as a noisy Bantam rooster.
Adams was critical, too, not only of himself, but of his family and peers. I don't know why Adams provoked people into evening the score -- Alexander Hamilton went to great lengths to discredit him -- whereas others were able to get people into their "camps," (e.g., Jefferson). Adams didn't have a "camp." Probably (again), because he could see both sides to an issue. Gets back to his superb critical thinking skills.
He was not as handsome as Jefferson or Washington, and let's face it, we Americans rever the good-looking. It's amazing Lincoln even got elected. (but it still restores my faith somewhat, that brilliance, talent and insight can win voters)
Yes, Adams's contributions were definitely dimmed. When I was growing up, I had no idea he was so vital to the Independence cause. It was as he predicted, in the series, (last episode), when installing the stone wall with his son, talking about Franklin, Washington and Jefferson, and how historians would venerate them, but overlook him. And they did.
Look at the scene with the painting (again, last episode). So majestic, everyone frozen in their seats as the key players were signing the Declaration of Independence. And all completely staged. I loved Adams assessment of the scene. Pretentious, really, and lacking the life, the action, of all those brave men. Really, we can draw a parallel to this painting and American advertising and marketing, from the airbrushed photos and "staged" happiness that supposedly results from a purchase. Imagine. We buy a product and this will make us happy, or have more status, or more self-worth. The Founding Fathers would be mystified by what we've become. Especially Adams.
Just a marvelous series. My husband and I wept throughout the entire last episode. I wish television could be more like this. Yes, I'm sure there were liberties taken with the actual historical facts. But I loved seeing the hardships, the challenges that our ancestors faced. We seem so soft, narcissistic and self-important in comparison. But I have hope, someday, that Americans can rise to the Founding Fathers' standards.
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Posts:
4
Registered:
9/9/07
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(26 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 22, 2008 12:09 AM
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BRAVO to HBO for scheduling this outstanding, politically accurate view on one of the most influential Founding Father's of our great nation; as well as reminding everyone of the incredible and brave influence Abigail Adams had upon John Adams.
It was so very inspiring to see and relieve the hardship of travel, distances placed between families, communication that was literally spread from person to person as one would read the most updated accounts and reminded of the amazing bravery our fore-fathers exhibited to stand for the freedom they knew our country needed to have in order to grow.
Thank you HBO & Playtone Group for this excellent adaptation of David McCullam's book.
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Posts:
89
Registered:
3/21/08
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(25 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 21, 2008 1:26 AM
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I think the history channel could improve a lot. Although WWII and the holocaust are extremely significant points in american history, there are hundreds if not thousands of other things that seem to be forgotten about on that channel. I agree HBO did a better job with this series than History Channel could have ever hoped to do.
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Posts:
77
Registered:
10/10/05
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(24 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 20, 2008 5:51 PM
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how about some shame on the History Channel for not doing more presidential stories instead of all the crap they show about UFOs and Armageddon. what kind of history is that?
in their series on the presidents, they crammed like five into an hour when each presidents' story could fill at least an hour on its own.
same thing with the History Channel's series on the states. Five states in an hour. Why not one hour per state? did they need the airtime for their crappy shows on UFOs???
(um, but kudos on the "history of sex" series. good stuff!)
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Edited by SillyNewYorkGirl at 04/20/2008 2:53 PM PDT
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Posts:
1
Registered:
4/20/08
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(23 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 20, 2008 4:33 PM
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Bravo to Tom Hanks and HBO for giving the American people the riveting portail of John Adams. I believe that John Adams is the true founding father of our Country. That our "Leaders" of this United States do not give him the proper respect that they give George Washington and Thomas Jefferson is irrehensible. If the leaders of our Country would behave as our founding fathers did, I believe we would not have the corruption that is now in our White House. The belief that we are all created equal is lost to the current leaders of our country. Money is the God that is worshiped by the very people who lead us now and want to lead us in the future. The movie you have produced is beyond excellent. I have not the words to describe how I have been moved by the portail of John Adams, his wife and all the other excellent men who created our Country. Please bring us more of this type of TV as I am sick and tired of the sad dribble that now tries to enter our homes. John Adams deserves the same Memorials as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Shame on our leaders for not giving him this respect. Shame on them!!!!!
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Posts:
630
Registered:
1/17/08
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(22 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 20, 2008 3:57 PM
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> I would love to see a series of this caliber done on
> Lincoln. He is somewhat deified and it would be
> great to see him brought to life on HBO
That would interest me. The madness of his wife alone would fuel the mini-series.
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Posts:
11
Registered:
4/12/08
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(21 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 18, 2008 6:56 PM
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In my mind there is no doubt that he is the forgotten President. it is always a disappointment to me that in DC, Washington and Jefferson have two glorious memorials and Adams has none. Adams is more responsible for the independence of our country than any man other than Washington.
What amazes me about the series is that although it is ten or more hours, it barely scratches the surface. For example the importance of what John accomplished at the continental congress is not adequately shown. It is no fault of the film makers, there simply is not enough time. But by what sometimes seemed to be by his lone voice, he persuaded and escorted the colonies into independence.
In my somewhat biased opinion, I believe Adams to be more deserving of a glorious memorial than Jefferson. Jefferson wrote the words, Adams lived them and caused our nation to fight for them.
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89
Registered:
3/21/08
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(20 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 18, 2008 2:57 PM
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I would love to see a series of this caliber done on Lincoln. He is somewhat deified and it would be great to see him brought to life on HBO
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Posts:
847
Registered:
1/17/08
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(19 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 18, 2008 11:20 AM
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> Excellent portrayal of our second President.. Please
> do one on every president..
>
> My 16 yr old grandson wanted to know what was so
> interesting about this man.. He didn't even realize
> he was our second President.. After he watched it
> with me, he asked if all former Presidents in that
> time could travel freely without bodyguards etc. I
> said yes until Lincoln was assassinated, they could..
> And did.. He also didn't realize the White House was
> 'in the country' when it was first built..
>
> I think kids of today need to see our history like
> this or they may never know who our founding fathers
> were or how they lived thru the times until they can
> remember seeing a President on TV..
>
> The first President I remember seeing on TV was
> Truman, then Dwight Eisenhower.. I was in 4th grade.
> It was on a 21 inch TV.. BIG screen of that time.. 
Great post! I so agree that the kids of today would really benefit from seeing what happened with our country. My oldest watched with me and he was just shocked and amazed. I think so many just take things for granted like we have always had everything just handed to us and they just expect it there for them.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
4/18/08
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(18 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 18, 2008 9:06 AM
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We are so brainwashed into thinking as Children that George Washington was the father of our country. But just like the cherry tree tale was a myth, George Washington, a great general and a good role model as the first president could not have done it alone. I've read about John Adams all my life and it is my belief that he is truly the Father of our Country. He was so passionate in this uphill struggle to unite the colonies against Great Britain. He deserves much more than a mini series.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
4/18/08
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(17 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 18, 2008 7:48 AM
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Im in the process of reading a book on every President and I had John Adams ranked 3rd. I wouldn't have known how good he was if I hadn't read about him. I believe he was often overlooked. Your series is great. You should do more mini series on Presidents. KUDO's to Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney they deserve Oscars.....
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Posts:
2
Registered:
4/4/08
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(16 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 17, 2008 8:40 PM
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First of all, I must commend Mr. David McCullough for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of such a great man, John Adams. I now have a better understanding of his part in history thanks to Mr. McCullough. John Adams, one of the most incredible and deidcated negotiators of all time, was a driving force for independence in 1776. We have him and others like him to thank for our freedoms that we are blessed by God to have!
It is the most intelligent and intriguing mini-series thus far. Thank you, HBO and Tom Hanks. I thought I'd be bored to tears at first, but on the contrary. While I had other good shows to view, such as In Treatment, and The Tudors (sorry, HBO) , they cannot compare to the impact this series has made on me. I looked forward to every episode, and, quite honestly, will be sad at its finale. I wish it could go on indefinitely. Perhaps a series can be done on each president. Not to mention the genuine love story between Mr. Adams and Abigail.
The hardships endured during that era could cause anyone to grow faint. But the people were strong and proud and dedicated to the cause, no matter what. And we think we have it tough! Yes, we are going through tough time in this 21st century,, but somehow, most of us are still managing. We continue to pay the high price of gas. Fools that we are! Whatever happened to the electric car? I guess there?s always the good, old standby?horse and buggy. No problem with clean-up. We women have been doing it practically all our lives! We?re pros! Buy some oats for the horse; use the manure for our organic gardening?we got it made in the shade! Or do we? Maybe living the simple life is a thing of the past; but sacrifices were made then and they?ll continue to be made forevermore.
Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney are awesome, as well as Stephen Dillane, Tom Wilkinson, David Morse, Danny Huston, Sarah Polley, Rufus Sewell, Tom Hollander?to name just a few. The entire cast and the crew members are to be commended. Bravo, everyone! Bravo!
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Posts:
1
Registered:
4/17/08
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(15 of 29)
Re: The Forgotten President?
Apr 17, 2008 8:24 PM
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Excellent portrayal of our second President.. Please do one on every president..
My 16 yr old grandson wanted to know what was so interesting about this man.. He didn't even realize he was our second President.. After he watched it with me, he asked if all former Presidents in that time could travel freely without bodyguards etc. I said yes until Lincoln was assassinated, they could.. And did.. He also didn't realize the White House was 'in the country' when it was first built..
I think kids of today need to see our history like this or they may never know who our founding fathers were or how they lived thru the times until they can remember seeing a President on TV..
The first President I remember seeing on TV was Truman, then Dwight Eisenhower.. I was in 4th grade. It was on a 21 inch TV.. BIG screen of that time..
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