Jefferson's TV Script Scrapped - Art Buchwald - October 1975

Art Buchwald

As part of the Bicentennial celebration Mr. Buchwald has given us permission to use one of the pieces he wrote when he was covering television for the Colonial Broadcasting Network in 1775. Have you ever wondered what would have happened if the people who are in charge of television today were passing on the draft of the Declaration of Independence. The scene is Philadelphia at WJULY-TV. Several men are sitting around a large oak conference table holding copies of the declaration. Thomas Jefferson comes into the room looking a little nervous. "Tommy," says the producer, "it's just great. I would say it was a masterpiece." "We love it, Tommy boy," the advertising agency man says. "It sings. Lots of drama, and it holds your interest. There are a few things that have to be changed, but otherwise it stays intact." "What's wrong with it?" Mr. Jefferson asks. There's a pause. Everyone looks at the network man. "Well frankly, Tommy, it smacks of being a little anti-British. I mean, we've got quite a few Tory listeners, and something like this might bring in a lot of mail." - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library