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HBO Boss Regrets Announcement of ‘Confederate,’ but Not its Concept

I said the concept of "what could've been" is interesting - just like the premise of Handmaids Tale.

I've never discussed the authors, so stop pretending that I did, please.

You have to understand that on GAF anytime you make a comparison everyone assumes you are making an equivalence.
 

llien

Member
If you had a "what if the Nazis won" story pitched about Germany, a lot of Germans would not be happy.

Cough:

(Kurt Vonnegut has done it too, read it, but don't remember the title... :()

AbGMgh3.jpg



I don't see it to be that different from Orwell's 1984.
 
I said the concept of "what could've been" is interesting - just like the premise of Handmaids Tale.

I've never discussed the authors, so stop pretending that I did, please.

Dude read your post back... Story A sound similar to story B, which was great.

That's comparing premise of A to premise and execution of B. I can't be faulted for pointing out that B was great because literally one of the great modern novelists provided the source material, whereas A is in the hands of the guys who added a rape scene to motivate Sansa.


But I'll tell you what, if that wasn't your intention, that's fine I'll say this: praising premise without factoring who the authors are isn't very useful. So even if you didn't intend to invoke author comparison, I am more than willing to because in the end a premise in the hands of Atwood (and people working off of works by Atwood) has a far greater chance of success and artistic accomplishment than an original work premise from D&D.

A great premise is worthless in the hands of people who don't have the proper skills or sensitvity to execute it.
 

Bendeavor

Neo Member
I said the concept of "what could've been" is interesting - just like the premise of Handmaids Tale.

I've never discussed the authors, so stop pretending that I did, please.

The premises themselves show the imagination and skills of the authors. Compare "What if America had another civil war, had its birthrate drop dramatically from pollution, and became overtaken by a totalitarian Christian regime" to "What if the South won the Civil War, black people were still oppressed, and the Confederates were hailed as heroes."

As far as the second premise goes, two out of its three core ideas are not fictional, so unless it were to lean hard into its one hypothetical idea (which seems pretty unlikely given the authors), it's not going to be an interesting thought experiment.
 

TBiddy

Member
Dude read your post back... Story A sound similar to story B, which was great.

A great premise is worthless in the hands of people who don't have the proper skills or sensitvity to execute it.

I never compared the stories. I'm not sure why you keep attributing me with things I've never said. I said the premise of "what could've been" is interesting. Just like the premise of A Handmaids Tale, which also turned out to be a great series.

That's it. And that said, I don't have high confidence in Benioff and Wise, but I'm interested in the concept, they've presented.
 

MaddenNFL64

Member
So the U.S is still around in this alternate timeline correct? But the confederates won independence and are allowed to own slaves and all that?

The premise is interesting as all hell.
 

Budi

Member
I mean considering how tone deaf D&D have been when handling Game of Thrones the concerns are certainly justified.
Yeah absolutely. I can't blame people for being worried, it's entirely understandable. But personally I'm looking forward to the show and really hope it won't end up being the worst case scenario on how this can go but the opposite. I'll judge the show when I see it. I'm glad they aren't backing out, but I wish they've also noted the concerns from people.
 
I'M ANGRY BECAUSE IT MIGHT NOT BE HANDLED WELL!!!!


Sensibility is becoming rare in our continent right now :D
Human beings have the very useful ability of assessing past statistics, data, and events to extrapolate potential future outcomes based on the aforementioned considered information.

Nothing exists in a vacuum, and if prior work and how creators handle certain themes and topics were already cause for criticism, one can rightfully feel concerned and wary for the fate of future projects.

The handling of race and similar topics in GoT, and the way themes of the book were twisted to be more shocking or whatnot on screens, is what makes people rightfully concerned for how race and other similar themes will be handled in a show and premise that requires a far more deft and nuanced approach than anything done on Game of Thrones.

It's not mindless baseless outrage, it's sensible informed concern.
 
I like alternate history shows. A Man in the High Castle is one of my favorites.

I do hope they can get a diverse set of writers/directors. Could be interesting.
 
White Americans find enslaved black people entertaining. This show is just part of American tradition. Expect to see "shocking yet provocative" scenes of brutality and lots of rape.

America gets off on this shit
 
White Americans find enslaved black people entertaining. This show is just part of American tradition. Expect to see "shocking yet provocative" scenes of brutality and lots of rape.

America gets off on this shit

To be fair the show isnt out yet. Gotta wait and see how they find it.

But for now we can say they think the lynchings and rapes could be very "interesting" or "amazing" or "keen" based off this thread
 

Sethista

Member
You should read the thread.

Right, let me rephrase, I understand the hate. I just dont agree with it.

I understand the points about the way they went with some aspects of GoT, and of course there are differences in nazis and the southern generals, but what matters is what the do with the premise, not the premise itself.

A great example from the man in the high castle is
Smith's son being disabled, and having to be put to death due to nazi ideology. The most loyal nazi officer finally saw what nazism does to people it deems lesser
, and that arc was incredible to see on season 1. really highlighted the hypocrisy. Hoping thats the way they go with this show.

I dont think they are creating this show just to deliberately be disrespectful and insensitive about slavery. So I am giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Are you black just wondering?

How am I being black or not have anything to do with my opinion on the premise of a show that will premiere in 2 to 3 year's time, that we dont know anything else about?
 
I mean considering how tone deaf D&D have been when handling Game of Thrones the concerns are certainly justified.
How are they tone deaf? They cut out the white savior over brown people after the s3(?) finale. I don't remember any scenes of that magnitude afterwards. Only thing I can remember is her coming out of the fire to get
Khals supporting here
which you know.. made sense under those circumstances.
Human beings have the very useful ability of assessing past statistics, data, and events to extrapolate potential future outcomes based on the aforementioned considered information.

Nothing exists in a vacuum, and if prior work and how creators handle certain themes and topics were already cause for criticism, one can rightfully feel concerned and wary for the fate of future projects.

The handling of race and similar topics in GoT, and the way themes of the book were twisted to be more shocking or whatnot on screens, is what makes people rightfully concerned for how race and other similar themes will be handled in a show and premise that requires a far more deft and nuanced approach than anything done on Game of Thrones.

It's not mindless baseless outrage, it's sensible informed concern.

They fucked up and rectified the issue after that season though. I hate this idea that people are not allowed to make mistakes and not improve on their mistakes afterwards. It's basically a trope on many gaffers that get off on judging people one 1 thing and it's just common in social media where people love sitting on their high ground. I make mistakes constantly every single day, so this kind of attitude is just cringe inducing to see. Maybe not completely baseless, but a lot of criticism does fall under mindless. I'm not saying people shouldn't be skeptical or even addressing those people (I am one of those people), but people who outright 100% believe this will be a piece of shit, insulting etc add dumb hyperboles that have been thrown are more in line to people I'm addressing. Overdramatic individuals that shouldn't be taken seriously.

And mate, you're not going to get the double Ds to be as nounced as one of the greatest fictional writers of all time, nor will they come close to. If we use GRRIM as a standard, no one should be making a tv show about any sensitive topic. :D They're on a different scale of skill. Maybe before deeming it as the worst fucking thing imaginable, it might be a good start to see the full list of writers, directors, producers might be a better idea. I have no idea how it'll turn out, but I'm waiting at least until I see the first trailer for it. Doing a 3 paragraph explanation was a dumb idea of such a subject though.
 
To be fair the show isnt out yet. Gotta wait and see how they find it.

But for now we can say they think the lynchings and rapes could be very "interesting" or "amazing" or "keen" based off this thread

For the creators to dream up this show, for it to get green lit, for there to be a debate instead of collective groan goes to show that black suffering is still a cash cow in America

white americans being entertained by black people suffering is just standard procedure
 
Don't talk facts they hate it. The new standard is getting killed by a cop on video being unarmed. It reminds me of all the vile picks they use to have a party at lynching and taking picture with dead bodies.

Right. Having a picnic and smiling for the camera in front of lynched black bodies hanging dead. HBO wants to do a show about this stuff, only in present day. Who the fuck is this supposed to entertain?

Today, they love to make every excuse on why some innocent person running away from a cop deserved to be shot dead. They celebrate our deaths and mock us with new slurs

Of course they are going to find a show about if black people were still enslaved "interesting" and get off on all the things they get to depict of them doing to us
 

Haly

One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee.
In terms of tone deafness, this would be like HBO’s “what if America fell under Shariah law?” one year after 9/11. Yeah Muslim Wahhabi America would be super interesting as well, doesn’t mean I think it should be on a mainstream broadcasting network, especially not riding the coattails of the biggest TV show since Breaking Bad.
 
They fucked up and rectified the issue after that season though. I hate this idea that people are not allowed to make mistakes and not improve on their mistakes afterwards. It's basically a trope on many gaffers that get off on judging people one 1 thing and it's just common in social media where people love sitting on their high ground. I make mistakes constantly every single day, so this kind of attitude is just cringe inducing to see. Maybe not completely baseless, but a lot of criticism does fall under mindless. I'm not saying people shouldn't be skeptical or even addressing those people (I am one of those people), but people who outright 100% believe this will be a piece of shit, insulting etc add dumb hyperboles that have been thrown are more in line to people I'm addressing. Overdramatic individuals that shouldn't be taken seriously.

And mate, you're not going to get the double Ds to be as nounced as one of the greatest fictional writers of all time, nor will they come close to. If we use GRRIM as a standard, no one should be making a tv show about any sensitive topic. :D They're on a different scale of skill. Maybe before deeming it as the worst fucking thing imaginable, it might be a good start to see the full list of writers, directors, producers might be a better idea. I have no idea how it'll turn out, but I'm waiting at least until I see the first trailer for it. Doing a 3 paragraph explanation was a dumb idea of such a subject though.

YOU'RE ANGRY BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT HANDLING YOUR POSTS WELL!!!

Sensibility is becoming rare in our continent right now :D
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
Right, let me rephrase, I understand the hate. I just dont agree with it.

I understand the points about the way they went with some aspects of GoT, and of course there are differences in nazis and the southern generals, but what matters is what the do with the premise, not the premise itself.

A great example from the man in the high castle is
Smith's son being disabled, and having to be put to death due to nazi ideology. The most loyal nazi officer finally saw what nazism does to people it deems lesser
, and that arc was incredible to see on season 1. really highlighted the hypocrisy. Hoping thats the way they go with this show.

I dont think they are creating this show just to deliberately be disrespectful and insensitive about slavery. So I am giving them the benefit of the doubt.



How am I being black or not have anything to do with my opinion on the premise of a show that will premiere in 2 to 3 year's time, that we dont know anything else about?

We don't want to see humanized or sympathetic slave owners. I have no desire to see that slave owner who happens to be a nice guy because he's good to his family or doesn't beat his slaves half to death like the next plantation owner who is stereo typically over the top in terms of bigotry and hate. America has done a great job of humanizing and white washing the Confederacy in the real world, I don't need to see a TV show do the same.
 

Haly

One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee.
You know there’s going to be a scene where our sympathetic slave owner almost rapes the help, but doesn’t do so and we’ll applaud him for it.
 

Slayven

Member
You know there’s going to be a scene where our sympathetic slave owner almost rapes the help, but doesn’t do so and we’ll applaud him for it.

Nah, there will be a story line where slave owner is in love with a slave

Thomas Jefferson that shit.
 
So the U.S is still around in this alternate timeline correct? But the confederates won independence and are allowed to own slaves and all that?

The premise is interesting as all hell.

Minus the literal slavery if you want to see what that world is like just read stories about black oppression in the US today.
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
Nah, there will be a story line where slave owner is in love with a slave

Thomas Jefferson that shit.

I expect an ex slave who now owns other slaves because both sides are the same! Bioshock Infinity this whole thing!
 

Haly

One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee.
He’ll realize the humanity of slaves by the 11th crack of the whip.
I can’t wait for him to win an Emmy for best actor and the slave he beats get nominated for best supporting actress.
 
That's it. And that said, I don't have high confidence in Benioff and Wise, but I'm interested in the concept, they've presented.

That was my entire point?

Who cares if the premise is good... those two can't be trusted to pull it off...



I bet you there will be a story of a slave who wants to escape but being too afraid until her master rapes her one too many times and that gives her the motivation. Actually more likely yet I bet you it will be a male slave who wants to escape with his wfie but is too afraid to until his wife gets raped one too many times and that motivates him to do it. Then his wife will probably die tragically in the escape and this will give him the revenge motivation for the next season when he starts hunting slavers like a badass.
 
We don't want to see humanized or sympathetic slave owners. I have no desire to see that slave owner who happens to be a nice guy because he's good to his family or doesn't beat his slaves half to death like the next plantation owner who is stereo typically over the top in terms of bigotry and hate. America has done a great job of humanizing and white washing the Confederacy in the real world, I don't need to see a TV show do the same.

All of this.

Again, I'd they announced say, Turtledove's American Empire, or The War That Came Early, no problem. The south wins that war, but there is no nuance and the actual path they take is more fucked up and bleak. Same with the outcome and payoff. There is no ambiguity there.

This horseshit is yahoo comments given life.
 

Haly

One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee.
To play Devil’s Advocate the only way I can accept Confederate as anything other than a giant mistake is if the primary cast is all black and it’s about a second civil war between the black insurectionists and their (few) white allies, bolstered by Canadian, Mexican and European freedom fighting forces, against the slave owning government. In the end America becomes a predominantly black democracy.

Maybe there is a token beautiful white Canadian woman who’s working with the abolitionists to smuggle slaves across the border via the Underground Railroad 2: Electric Boogaloo.
 

7Th

Member
The problem with the show is that it's literally going to be "present day, but slavery is legal" instead of anything remotely interesting. The entire history of America and the world would be completely different if the Confederacy had won; a victory that doesn't even make sense to begin with. Are they going to have a dramatic introduction scene with Lincoln getting hanged for his "crimes and role in the Civil War"? Are they going to show a broken, weak America that simply didn't progress to where it is today due to poor governing? Is the Soviet Union still going to be around as the ruling superpower? What about the space race? Hell, would the Confederacy-ruled America even participate in either World War? Their original pitch sounding as a "both sides" kinda deal makes me think the show-runners are only interested in right-wing porn, to be honest.
 

Haly

One day I realized that sadness is just another word for not enough coffee.
A Confederate US would absolutely have been Nazi aligned but they’re going to gloss over that probably.

If the Axis powers were the US, Japan, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, now that might be an interesting scenario.

The European brain drain would’ve been concentrated in Great Britain and Canada. Who would have the first nuke? Canada may very well have dropped Fat Man on DC.
 
Wouldn't the more acurate comparison be GRRM vs. Atwood? Or rather D&D vs. whoever wrote the adaption.

D&D have been on their own a lot recently... and their on their own stuff is where a lot of the really stupid shit comes in (aka Let's rape Sansa for motivation)

But we can do that too Atwood >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> GRRM


Man people are going to win emmys for "Niggers ........are..... people ....too"

Aww fuck over under on there being an NLM movement subplot?
 

Derwind

Member
D&D have been on their own a lot recently... and their on their own stuff is where a lot of the really stupid shit comes in (aka Let's rape Sansa for motivation)

But we can do that too Atwood >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> GRRM




Aww fuck over under on there being an NLM movement subplot?

Yup, I would be far more interested in an Oryx & Crake adaption over anything from GRRM but we already know HBO's answer..
 

4Tran

Member
The problem with the show is that it's literally going to be "present day, but slavery is legal" instead of anything remotely interesting. The entire history of America and the world would be completely different if the Confederacy had won; a victory that doesn't even make sense to begin with. Are they going to have a dramatic introduction scene with Lincoln getting hanged for his "crimes and role in the Civil War"? Are they going to show a broken, weak America that simply didn't progress to where it is today due to poor governing? Is the Soviet Union still going to be around as the ruling superpower? What about the space race? Hell, would the Confederacy-ruled America even participate in either World War? Their original pitch sounding as a "both sides" kinda deal makes me think the show-runners are only interested in right-wing porn, to be honest.
The proper way to do it would be to have a victorious CSA and a defeated USA. And maybe give the CSA Maryland and Washington DC and move the Union capital to Philadelphia or something like that. But no, that would require world building and effort.

This show's premise is something that could be made interesting, but the way it's described makes it sound terrible.
 

HStallion

Now what's the next step in your master plan?
To play Devil’s Advocate the only way I can accept Confederate as anything other than a giant mistake is if the primary cast is all black and it’s about a second civil war between the black insurectionists and their (few) white allies, bolstered by Canadian, Mexican and European freedom fighting forces, against the slave owning government. In the end America becomes a predominantly black democracy.

Maybe there is a token beautiful white Canadian woman who’s working with the abolitionists to smuggle slaves across the border via the Underground Railroad 2: Electric Boogaloo.

You'd probably be far more interested in the project Aaron McGruder is working on now.
 

Guileless

Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
Some subjects that are corrosive to the soul should be off limits to artists (such as those indulged in by the cretins who produce Game of Thrones).

Unfortunately, we no longer have working obscenity laws.
 
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