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Crain's Chicago Business reports:
"Chicagoland," the documentary series that debuted yesterday on CNN, is prompting a national discussion about the Windy City. The series is produced by Robert Redford in partnership with independent filmmakers Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin, who also made "Brick City," a portrait of Newark, N.J., and Cory Booker, its then mayor, that aired on the Sundance channel a few years ago.
With CNN heavily promoting the series, the episodes could change many Americans' views of Chicago — or reinforce how they already see the city.
There's more:
"Cynics in Chicago have already noted the fact that show's producers are represented by the William Morris Endeavor Agency, which just so happens to be the home of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's brother Ari. This is as much because of as in spite of a well-publicized move by directors Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin to ask the agency to recuse themselves from representing them when it comes to the show.
"One need not believe in such a conspiracy to see this show as yet another example of Rahm's media power — and his fearlessness in pursuing high-profile opportunities to get his message out even in venues where he's not in complete control. Rahm has had significant success in getting high-profile national and global attention — for example, a glowing profile from NYT columnist Thomas Friedman — since taking office.
CNN sure has standards!
