Monday, Feb. 28 Are The Kennedy’s Still Untouchable?

Are The Kennedy’s Still Untouchable?
For half a century, the Kennedy’s have been arguably the most beloved and most controversial family in America. But all these years later, are they untouchable? This perennial question resurfaced after an eight-part mini-series offering a less-than-flattering depiction of the family was abruptly yanked from the History Channel’s lineup in January. According to network reps, “The Kennedys” – which stars Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes as John and Jacqueline Kennedy – did not fit the “History brand.” Behind the scenes, the real-life Kennedy family and associates were said to be unhappy about the series, claiming its scripts were inaccurate and overly critical. Well, the series has since found a new home on cable’s ReelzChannel – and is set to begin its run on April 3rd. But using this and countless other instances as examples – the question remains – does the Kennedy family “get away” with things no one else could? Do journalists, foundations, networks and others make allowances they wouldn’t otherwise to avoid ruffling the influential family’s feathers? Or is it just the opposite? Does widespread fascination with the Kennedy’s make them a target of unparalleled media and public scrutiny? For some insight, we turn to Boston Globe columnist and long-time Kennedy watcher, Joan Vennochi and to Scott Ferson, the president of The Liberty Square Group, who also worked as a staff member in the office of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.