CBS: Reagans who?

LOS ANGELES - CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves said it is "an absolute lie" to
allege he yielded to political or corporate pressure in yanking "The Reagans"
miniseries.

"It was a moral decision, not an economic or a political one," Moonves said in an interview with
Daily Variety. "And I don't know how more plainly I can state that."

The film failed to live up to expectations and did not present a balanced view of former President
Reagan and his wife, Nancy, Moonves said in the interview in the trade paper Monday.

"Unfortunately, in this instance, some of the criticisms, although coming from obviously one
political perspective, I felt were somewhat well-founded," he said.

But the decision to pull the miniseries was his alone and was not influenced by the conservative
outcry over the miniseries or pressure from Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone or president Mel
Karmazin.

The drama, which was to have aired on Nov. 16 and 18 as part of the key November ratings
sweeps, has been sold to Viacom-owned cable channel Showtime. CBS was left to fill in with
series reruns.

Critics blasted the film's fairness and timing, airing as Reagan, 92, struggles with Alzheimer's
disease (news - web sites), and lauded CBS' decision.

Others, who questioned attacks on a film based solely on scripts excerpts and brief clips, said it
appeared CBS had capitulated to pressure and set a dangerous precedent.

Some noted that Viacom is awaiting federal action on rules to restrict ownership of local TV
stations. The company needs help from Republicans in the White House and Congress who might
not like seeing Reagan portrayed negatively, they said.

Moonves said CBS would continue to pursue shows that "are on the edge, that create controversy,"
asserting that the film's cancelation would not have a chilling effect on creative freedom.

Asked if he intended to make changes to CBS' executive structure, Moonves replied: "The
structure at CBS is as good as the structure anywhere in the world."