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'By the People':
The rise of Obama


HBO two-hour special traces the candidate's path

Nov 3, 2009

One year ago, voters were heading to the polls for the 2008 presidential election. Tonight HBO looks back at the period leading up to that day with the new two-hour documentary "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama" at 9 p.m.

Filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams began filming then-Sen. Obama a year before he announced his candidacy for president in February 2007. They documented the campaign staff and volunteers as well as the now-president's family.

When Rice and Sams began filming, Obama was coming off his acclaimed speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, but no one really thought the first-term senator from Illinois had a shot at the presidency.

As the movie progresses, Obama morphs from outside shot to frontrunner, culminating in last November's triumph. The film includes scenes of Obama staffers watching the results being tallied on television on Election Day, just one day after Obama's grandmother passed away.

"People," which was produced by actor Ed Norton's film company, continues a run of interesting HBO documentaries this year that also includes "Prom Night in Mississippi" and "The Yes Men Fix the World."

Viewership is really beside the point for films of this type.

Though HBO may see solid tune-in, thanks to nostalgia over last year's election, of greater import is the critical acclaim such films deliver, giving HBO the sort of buzz that wins new subscribers.

That buzz had been missing for the network for two years following the end of "The Sopranos," but the big numbers for vampire drama "True Blood" this summer seem to have helped HBO renew its claim to airing daring original programming.


 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Lisa Niemi and Joel Osteen guest, Carrie Underwood performs.

8 p.m.

CBS

“NCIS” (D)

The crew looks into the murders of two mercenaries found on Gibbs’ boat.

8 p.m.

NBC

“The Biggest Loser” (R)

The remaining contestants travel to Washington, D.C. for new challenges.

8 p.m.

ABC

“V” (D)

Series premiere. A new version of the 1980s sci fi series.

9 p.m.

CBS

“NCIS: Los Angeles” (D)

A man who leads a double life dies at a party.

10 p.m.

MTV

“The Hills” (R)

Heidi actually wants to have a baby with Spencer, but it doesn’t seem to be in his plans. Thank goodness.

10 p.m.

FX

“Sons of Anarchy” (D)

Clay thinks the gang should go with more guns and less porn.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

CW

“America’s Next Top Model” (R)

The models head to Hawaii to do a photo shoot in the ocean.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Modern Family” (C)

Manny develops an interest in fencing.

9 p.m.

NBC

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (D)

A father thinks his teenage daughter was killed by her therapist.

9 p.m.

TBS

“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (C)

Curtis is forced to retire and Miranda goes missing.

10 p.m.

CBS

“CSI: NY” (D)

The death of a software executive leads the CSIs into a strange underground world.

10 p.m.

FX

“Nip/Tuck” (D)

One of Christian’s patients has some serious anger issues.

10 p.m.

TLC

“Flowers Uncut” (R)

Series premiere. Following floral designer Jeff Leatham.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

CW

“Vampire Diaries” (D)

Stefan gets a visit from an old friend, who provides some info about him to Elena.

8 p.m.

TNT

“NBA Basketball” (S)

The Bulls take on the Cavs in Cleveland.

8 p.m.

Univision

“Latin Grammy Awards 2009” (A)

Eugenio Derbez and Lucero host the 10th annual event.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)

The rich parents of a young patient plan to donate $25 million to the hospital.

9 p.m.

NBC

“The Office” (C)

Jim and Pam finally agree to double date with Michael and Helene.

9 p.m.

CBS

“CSI” (D)

Two separate crimes turn out to be somehow connected.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

CBS

“Ghost Whisperer” (D)

Jim thinks a co-worker might be involved in a student’s disappearance.

8 p.m.

NBC

“Law & Order” (D)

The detectives find cases full of drugs and money at a murder scene.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Ugly Betty” (D)

Daniel makes Natalie his assistant, and it doesn’t sit well with Betty.

9 p.m.

CBS

“Medium” (D)

Allison rents an SUV that has a strange satellite radio.

9 p.m.

Syfy

“Stargate Universe” (D)

A high-risk plan could yield high rewards.

10 p.m.

USA

“White Collar” (D)

A mob man turns to the FBI to find a stolen Bible.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Time

Network

Program

Description

3:30 p.m.

CBS

“College Football” (S)

Huge SEC game between Alabama and LSU.

3:30 p.m.

ABC

“College Football” (S)

Big Ten game between Ohio State and Penn State.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Cops” (R)

Cops in Vegas try to chase down a suspected bank robber.

8 p.m.

Lifetime Movie Network

“Too Late to Say Goodbye” (M)

Rob Lowe and Lauren Holly star in a movie version of the Ann Rule book.

9 p.m.

CBS

“Strikeforce” (S)

MMA returns to CBS with a match between Brett Rogers and Fedor Emelianenko.

11:30 p.m.

NBC

“Saturday Night Live” (C)

Taylor Swift hosts and performs.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Time

Network

Program

Description

3:15 p.m.

ABC

“NASCAR Racing” (S)

A Sprint Cup race from Fort Worth, Texas.

8:15 p.m.

NBC

“NFL Football” (S)

NFC East rivalry game between Dallas and Philadelphia.

8:30 p.m.

Fox

“Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show” (C)

The special formerly sponsored by Microsoft.

9 p.m.

ABC

“Desperate Housewives” (D)

Angie invites Bree and Orson to dinner, but they’re hesitant.

9 p.m.

HBO

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (C)

Cheryl competes for a role on the “Seinfeld” reunion.

9:30 p.m.

Fox

“The Cleveland Show” (C)

Cleveland Jr. takes a purity pledge.

10 p.m.

AMC

“Mad Men” (D)

Pete sits down with some very important clients.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.



Louisa Ada Seltzer is a staff writer for Media Life.




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