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XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX NOV 02, 2003 19:45:18 ET XXXXX STREISAND DRAWS DISTANCE FROM 'REAGANS'; CBS CONSIDERS NEWS SUPPLEMENT; MORE SCENES REVEALED **Exclusive** SingerActorDirectorProducerMotherActivist Barbra Streisand this weekend distanced herself from any involvement in CBS-TV's upcoming film THE REAGANS, although the film stars her husband and is being produced by Streisand frequent collaborators, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. "Ms. Streisand has never even read the script!" Streisand declared on her website's Truth Alert. [Leading readers to believe it was in the DRUDGE REPORT over the past few weeks where she first became aware of specific script scenes.] Controversy continues to swirl around the movie, set for air later this month, with CBS now considering a "news supplement" addition tagged to the end of the two-part film, to both fill time from late edits made to the project, and to cool cries of heavy-handed political bias at the network. Meanwhile, Reagan daughter Patty Davis is considering a public comment of concern over liberties taken by CBS in telling the story of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. CBS's senior vice president of movies and miniseries, Bela Bajaria, is being blamed internally at the network for the growing backlash against the project, CBS sources said this weekend. "Look, it was going to be about the Reagans and their family," a senior network source said. "A love story! We lost control of it... it transformed. Politics was seasoned in. What was delivered is not what was pitched to me or anyone else here, that I am aware of." Bajaria told the LOS ANGELES TIMES last summer that in REAGANS she wanted to tell "an amazing love story that spans four decades." "We don't expect this to be controversial," she explained. **** p. 180 of final REAGANS script-- SCENE WITH DON REGAN TALKING TO MICHAEL DEAVER ABOUT NANCY REGAN: So, Deaver -- tell me. You've known Madame Fuhrer a lot longer than I have. How the hell do you manage to put up with her? **** Last week in Los Angeles former First Lady Nancy Reagan was being described by close friends as "discouraged" over the film, as controversial new details emerge. One of the most painful accusations raised in the CBS movie is that President Reagan was suffering from Alzheimer's disease -- 9 years before he was diagnosed, a charge Nancy has told friends is an outrageous lie! p. 185-186 -- SCENE WITH NANCY TALKING TO DR. HUTTON, THE REAGANS' PHYSICIAN, AFTER REAGAN'S CANCER SURGERY IN JULY 1985 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR -- Nancy talking to Dr. Hutton: DR. HUTTON: The good news is, we caught it at an early stage. Now all he needs is a little radiation, and he should be fine. Pause. NANCY: Doctor... do you think this could explain why Ronnie... I mean, some of his behavior... DR. HUTTON: What behavior? NANCY: His... his forgetfulness... and he's... he's tired, all the time... DR. HUTTON: You'd be forgetful and tired, if you were President of the United States. NANCY: Yes... but he's not the same... something's wrong. DR. HUTTON: Don't worry, Mrs. Reagan. If something were wrong, we'd know about it. Say, that "Just Say No" program of yours is getting a lot of play, isn't it? NANCY: Doctor, I'm trying to tell you, Ronnie's not well... DR. HUTTON: Of course he's not well, he's just had surgery for cancer. Once he gets back on his feet -- maybe a little vacation -- you'll see. He'll be fine. He's a warhorse. NANCY (trying to believe him): Thank you, Doctor. He gives her arm a squeeze, and heads down the hall. Nancy stands there, trying to collect herself. Kathy Osborne comes up to her with a cup of tea. NANCY'S ASSISTANT: Here's your tea. It's a little strong, but you can add some more milk to it, and it will be fine. Nancy turns to her, bitterly: NANCY: Everybody keeps saying that. "It's fine. Everything's fine," they tell me. (pause) Well, everything is not fine. It's not fine. It's not. **** Also of major concern is the impression that Ronald Reagan was homophobic, which is referenced throughout the script. P. 123, Backstage at a performance of the Joffrey Ballet where young Ron is performing. INT. BACKSTAGE -- THEATER -- NIGHT The Secret Service move Nancy and Reagan THRU A CRUSH OF DANCERS, MEDIA, WELL-WISHERS toward the men's dressing room INT. MEN'S DRESSING ROOM -- CONTINUING It's backstage at the Moulin Rouge. Mirrors, shadowy lights... MALE DANCERS in various states of undress, showering, getting dressed for a night of parties, as the Secret Service explodes into the room to check it over... RON: Oh Christ. Sorry, everybody -- it's my parents. Suddenly the door opens, the Reagans are whooshed into the room. The dancers freeze, in genuine awe. Reagan tries to cover his discomfort: REAGAN: It's okay, boys. It's only us, and God knows, we've seen plenty of dressing rooms. Don't be embarrassed. But the dancers are embarrassed, especially as the room fills with PHOTOGRAPHERS AND REPORTERS, catching Nancy as she runs over to Ron, and plants a big kiss right on his lips: NANCY: Oh, Ron! You were so wonderful! RON: Thanks, Mom. Reagan stares uncomfortably at Ron's make-up (reds, greens, yellows, a la Nureyev) and sticks out his hand, man-to-man. REAGAN: Yes, sir. You were always a natural athlete. Football, basketball. (loudly) You're all boy. NANCY: (gushing) Ron, we had no idea -- did we, Ronnie -- we had no idea how great you were! RON: No, I'm not great. I started too late. But I love it. Mom. I do. REAGAN: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly. There was nothing wrong with them, either, Strong. Stronger than most fullbacks. Did I ever tell you about the time I had dinner with Gene? RON: Doria! Come in! Ron's talking to Doria (his wife), who has appeared in the doorway. She smiles, shyly. NEWSPAPER HEADLINES -- Newspaper photo of Reagan, Nancy, Doria, and Ron all smiling broadly, arms around each other. The headline blares: "He's Not Gay, Says Proud Papa." ----------------------------------- Developing... ----------------------------------------------------------- Filed By Matt Drudge Reports are moved when circumstances warrant http://www.drudgereportArchives.com for updates (c)DRUDGE REPORT 2003 Not for reproduction without permission of the author |
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