This story about Morgan Spector and “The Plot Against America” first appeared in the Limited Series & Movies issue of TheWrap’s Oscar magazine.
What if a demagogic, populist celebrity with an authoritarian streak and suspect ties to a hostile foreign government ran for president of the United States and won? Philip Roth’s 2004 novel “The Plot Against America” asked that question in the context of the 1940s, positing a presidential victory for Charles Lindbergh over Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the book, the election leads to a U.S. decision to stay out of World War II and a wave of anti-Semitic violence from emboldened white supremacists.
In David Simon and Ed Burns’ HBO adaptation of the novel, Morgan Spector plays Herman Levin, a Jewish father of two and a stand-in of sorts for Roth’s own father.
Also Read: Winona Ryder Calls Out Hollywood Anti-Semitism, Repeats Mel Gibson's 'Oven...
What if a demagogic, populist celebrity with an authoritarian streak and suspect ties to a hostile foreign government ran for president of the United States and won? Philip Roth’s 2004 novel “The Plot Against America” asked that question in the context of the 1940s, positing a presidential victory for Charles Lindbergh over Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the book, the election leads to a U.S. decision to stay out of World War II and a wave of anti-Semitic violence from emboldened white supremacists.
In David Simon and Ed Burns’ HBO adaptation of the novel, Morgan Spector plays Herman Levin, a Jewish father of two and a stand-in of sorts for Roth’s own father.
Also Read: Winona Ryder Calls Out Hollywood Anti-Semitism, Repeats Mel Gibson's 'Oven...
- 6/24/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
With readers turning to their home viewing options more than ever, this daily feature provides one new movie each day worth checking out on a major streaming platform.
“On the Waterfront” is more than just a beloved crime drama; it’s a confession. When Marlon Brando’s Terry Malloy sounds off to Lee Cobb’s mob boss, doubling down on his reasons for turning in his gangster employers to the Waterfront Crime Commission — “I’m glad what I done! You hear me? Glad what I done!” — that’s really director Elia Kazan using “On the Waterfront” to say he was glad he testified against eight of his collaborators to the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Despite heralding a period of back-to-back masterpieces, Kazan’s McCarthy-era actions were not without controversy. Eventually, Kazan was handed an honorary Oscar in 1999, presented by Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, despite protests leading up to and even at the event,...
“On the Waterfront” is more than just a beloved crime drama; it’s a confession. When Marlon Brando’s Terry Malloy sounds off to Lee Cobb’s mob boss, doubling down on his reasons for turning in his gangster employers to the Waterfront Crime Commission — “I’m glad what I done! You hear me? Glad what I done!” — that’s really director Elia Kazan using “On the Waterfront” to say he was glad he testified against eight of his collaborators to the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Despite heralding a period of back-to-back masterpieces, Kazan’s McCarthy-era actions were not without controversy. Eventually, Kazan was handed an honorary Oscar in 1999, presented by Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, despite protests leading up to and even at the event,...
- 5/6/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
“He’s constantly bludgeoning everyone around him with his opinions,” actor Morgan Spector says about his character in “The Plot Against America” during an exclusive interview with Gold Derby (watch the video above) about the HBO miniseries adapted by Ed Burns and David Simon from the novel of the same name by Philip Roth. “That’s the essence of Herman Levin,” Spector adds about his character, whom Roth based on his father Herman Roth and Spector clarifies “comes from a place of genuinely good intentions.” “The Plot Against America” depicts an alternate history in which President Franklin D. Roosevelt is not reelected in 1940, turning the United States toward fascism and racism, which is particularly worrisome and calamitous for Jewish families like the Levins/Roths.
The story from the 2004 novel is noted as being inadvertently allegorical for the present-day political climate, but Spector is quick to note the timelessness of the interpersonal relationships as well.
The story from the 2004 novel is noted as being inadvertently allegorical for the present-day political climate, but Spector is quick to note the timelessness of the interpersonal relationships as well.
- 4/2/2020
- by Riley Chow
- Gold Derby
Creative geniuses David Simon and Ed Burns have struck thought-provoking gold again.
This time, Simon and Burns set their sights on xenophobia and fascism starting on The Plot Against America Season 1 Episode 1.
No, the six-episode HBO miniseries isn't set in Donald Trump's America (although it certainly could be). However, it's clear that this allegory targets a divided modern America.
Instead, the series, based on the Philip Roth novel of the same name, is set in an alternative America, where hero aviator Charles Lindbergh rides an isolationist, fascist platform to the Presidency in 1940.
The story is effectively told through the experiences of a Jewish family who start out enjoying their lives in Newark, N.J.
Herman Levin, an insurance agent, was the head of the household and was living the American dream. He had just been offered a promotion at work, and was mulling the idea of moving his family...
This time, Simon and Burns set their sights on xenophobia and fascism starting on The Plot Against America Season 1 Episode 1.
No, the six-episode HBO miniseries isn't set in Donald Trump's America (although it certainly could be). However, it's clear that this allegory targets a divided modern America.
Instead, the series, based on the Philip Roth novel of the same name, is set in an alternative America, where hero aviator Charles Lindbergh rides an isolationist, fascist platform to the Presidency in 1940.
The story is effectively told through the experiences of a Jewish family who start out enjoying their lives in Newark, N.J.
Herman Levin, an insurance agent, was the head of the household and was living the American dream. He had just been offered a promotion at work, and was mulling the idea of moving his family...
- 3/17/2020
- by Dale McGarrigle
- TVfanatic
“I stick my neck out for nobody. The problems of this world are not in my department,” Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine famously says – having made a mantra and a reputation out of the statement – in the World War II classic, “Casablanca.” The patriarchal figure at the center of David Simon and Ed Burns’ scorching adaptation of Philip Roth’s alternate history novel, “The Plot Against America,” a man of principle named Herman Levin (Morgan Spector), has the exact opposite problem, sometimes sticking his neck out for his ethnic community even when the anti-Semitism threatens the safety of his family.
Continue reading ‘The Plot Against America’ Powerfully Illustrates Why It’s Essential Humanity Sticks Its Neck Out For One Another In The Face of Fascism [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Plot Against America’ Powerfully Illustrates Why It’s Essential Humanity Sticks Its Neck Out For One Another In The Face of Fascism [Review] at The Playlist.
- 3/11/2020
- by Andrew Bundy
- The Playlist
For a series entitled “The Plot Against America,” viewers can’t help but think about how the story could resonate with today’s turbulent political climate ahead of the 2020 elections.
“We know what happened in WWII, we know what the Holocaust was, we know what America first meant in 1940 and what was at stake,” creator David Simon told Variety on the red carpet for the show’s premiere at Florence Gould Hall on Wednesday night. “The ‘othering’ that’s going on right now in this country quite obviously is the misuse and abuse of people of color, black and brown people, immigrants, people from Muslim countries, people who are Islamic. That’s now the cohort that is fundamentally happening in America.”
The show, based on the 2004 novel by Philip Roth of the same name, portrays an alternate history in which legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh defeats Franklin Roosevelt for the presidency in the 1940s,...
“We know what happened in WWII, we know what the Holocaust was, we know what America first meant in 1940 and what was at stake,” creator David Simon told Variety on the red carpet for the show’s premiere at Florence Gould Hall on Wednesday night. “The ‘othering’ that’s going on right now in this country quite obviously is the misuse and abuse of people of color, black and brown people, immigrants, people from Muslim countries, people who are Islamic. That’s now the cohort that is fundamentally happening in America.”
The show, based on the 2004 novel by Philip Roth of the same name, portrays an alternate history in which legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh defeats Franklin Roosevelt for the presidency in the 1940s,...
- 3/5/2020
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
Kayti Burt Feb 18, 2020
HBO has released the trailer for its The Plot Against America miniseries from The Wire's David Simon and Ed Burns. Check it out...
If you're a fan of horrific alternate histories that are actually about our horrific contemporary reality, then HBO has some new content for you. The premium cabler is adapting Philip Roth's The Plot Against America novel, which imagines what would have happened if Charles Lindbergh had run for and been elected into the presidency during World War II, spurring on the rise of anti-Semitism and fascism in the country.
HBO just dropped the trailer, which stars David Krumholtz, Zoe Kazan, John Turturro, Morgan Spector, and Winona Ryder as working-class Jewish people living in New Jersey as the American political situation takes a turn deeper into hate, fear, and racism. The adaptation comes from The Wire's David Simon and Ed Burns, so...
HBO has released the trailer for its The Plot Against America miniseries from The Wire's David Simon and Ed Burns. Check it out...
If you're a fan of horrific alternate histories that are actually about our horrific contemporary reality, then HBO has some new content for you. The premium cabler is adapting Philip Roth's The Plot Against America novel, which imagines what would have happened if Charles Lindbergh had run for and been elected into the presidency during World War II, spurring on the rise of anti-Semitism and fascism in the country.
HBO just dropped the trailer, which stars David Krumholtz, Zoe Kazan, John Turturro, Morgan Spector, and Winona Ryder as working-class Jewish people living in New Jersey as the American political situation takes a turn deeper into hate, fear, and racism. The adaptation comes from The Wire's David Simon and Ed Burns, so...
- 2/18/2020
- Den of Geek
HBO has released the full official trailer for its upcoming limited series “The Plot Against America,” set to premiere this March.
Starring Zoe Kazan, Morgan Spector, Winona Ryder, and John Turturro, the six-part series comes from executive producers and longtime collaborators David Simon and Ed Burns. Based on the prescient novel by Philip Roth, “The Plot Against America” takes place in an alternate-history version of America, in which the United States turns toward fascism during the Second World War. The story is told through the eyes of a New Jersey working-class Jewish family, as aviation hero and xenophobic populist Charles Lindbergh (Ben Cole) runs for President of the United States and wins.
HBO released the teaser trailer for the limited series back at the end of January, revealing just how tense things would get in the lead-up to Lindbergh’s election. The official trailer, however, includes more about the aftermath...
Starring Zoe Kazan, Morgan Spector, Winona Ryder, and John Turturro, the six-part series comes from executive producers and longtime collaborators David Simon and Ed Burns. Based on the prescient novel by Philip Roth, “The Plot Against America” takes place in an alternate-history version of America, in which the United States turns toward fascism during the Second World War. The story is told through the eyes of a New Jersey working-class Jewish family, as aviation hero and xenophobic populist Charles Lindbergh (Ben Cole) runs for President of the United States and wins.
HBO released the teaser trailer for the limited series back at the end of January, revealing just how tense things would get in the lead-up to Lindbergh’s election. The official trailer, however, includes more about the aftermath...
- 2/18/2020
- by LaToya Ferguson
- Indiewire
HBO dropped the trailer for “The Plot Against America” on Tuesday, its upcoming limited series from David Simon and Ed Burns based on Philip Roth’s acclaimed novel of the same name.
According to the premium cable channel, the six-part show, which premieres Monday, March 16 at 9/8c, “imagines an alternate American history during World War II, told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they endure the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who captures the presidency and turns the nation toward fascism.”
In the 2-minute, 33-second trailer, which you can view above, that Jewish family, the Levins, becomes increasingly concerned about what their lives will be like if and when Charles Lindbergh (played by Ben Cole) is elected the president of the United States. Turns out he does beat out Fdr to become the 33rd Potus — and he and his...
According to the premium cable channel, the six-part show, which premieres Monday, March 16 at 9/8c, “imagines an alternate American history during World War II, told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they endure the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who captures the presidency and turns the nation toward fascism.”
In the 2-minute, 33-second trailer, which you can view above, that Jewish family, the Levins, becomes increasingly concerned about what their lives will be like if and when Charles Lindbergh (played by Ben Cole) is elected the president of the United States. Turns out he does beat out Fdr to become the 33rd Potus — and he and his...
- 2/18/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
HBO has released the trailer for its upcoming limited series “The Plot Against America,” set to premiere this March. You can watch the two-minute preview below.
Based on the prescient novel by Philip Roth, “The Plot Against America” takes place in an alternate-history version of America, in which the United States turns toward fascism during the Second World War. The story is told through the eyes of a New Jersey working-class Jewish family, as aviation hero and xenophobic populist Charles Lindbergh (Ben Cole) runs for President of the United States.
Starring Zoe Kazan, Morgan Spector, Winona Ryder, and John Turturro, the six-part series comes from executive producers and longtime collaborators David Simon and Ed Burns.
The trailer actually does a little more than simply tease the impending conflict that would occur with a Lindbergh presidency in this world. Like the novel, the story and the trailer follow Herman Levin (Spector...
Based on the prescient novel by Philip Roth, “The Plot Against America” takes place in an alternate-history version of America, in which the United States turns toward fascism during the Second World War. The story is told through the eyes of a New Jersey working-class Jewish family, as aviation hero and xenophobic populist Charles Lindbergh (Ben Cole) runs for President of the United States.
Starring Zoe Kazan, Morgan Spector, Winona Ryder, and John Turturro, the six-part series comes from executive producers and longtime collaborators David Simon and Ed Burns.
The trailer actually does a little more than simply tease the impending conflict that would occur with a Lindbergh presidency in this world. Like the novel, the story and the trailer follow Herman Levin (Spector...
- 1/30/2020
- by LaToya Ferguson
- Indiewire
HBO is the latest network to take to the Television Critics Association winter press tour, and the premium cabler dropped some premiere dates for us!
First up, Issa Rae's Insecure will return for its long-delayed fourth season on Sunday, April 12.
The hit series was renewed back in 2018, but like many TV shows, but it sat all of 2019 out.
The good news is that we're getting 10 episodes this season. The previous three seasons came in at 8 episodes each.
A new show coming to HBO later this year is The Plot Against America. The new limited series will debut Monday, March 16.
The series is based on the acclaimed Philip Roth novel of the same name, imagines an alternate American history during World War II, told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they endure the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who...
First up, Issa Rae's Insecure will return for its long-delayed fourth season on Sunday, April 12.
The hit series was renewed back in 2018, but like many TV shows, but it sat all of 2019 out.
The good news is that we're getting 10 episodes this season. The previous three seasons came in at 8 episodes each.
A new show coming to HBO later this year is The Plot Against America. The new limited series will debut Monday, March 16.
The series is based on the acclaimed Philip Roth novel of the same name, imagines an alternate American history during World War II, told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey as they endure the political rise of Charles Lindbergh, an aviator-hero and xenophobic populist, who...
- 1/15/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
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