We have never seen anything like this before. It aired for one season on MTV and has since been on hiatus.
We have never seen anything like this before. It aired for one season on MTV and has since been on hiatus.
Trailer for “How’s Your News?” Series from How's Your News? on Vimeo.
“How’s Your News? is an American television series and also a feature film. It aired Sundays on MTV in the United States, and the feature film based on the same concept was released in 2003. It stars a group of reporters with developmental disabilities who interview celebrities and politicians. It is the continuation of a documentary film project started in 1999 by Arthur Bradford at Camp Jabberwocky in Martha’s Vineyard, which was made into a movie of the same name and shown on HBO in 2003. South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone serve as the show’s executive producers. Season One had a total of 6 episodes.
According to the “How’s Your News?” website on April 9, 2009, the show has not been renewed for a second season on MTV, stating: “The decision had little to do with the quality of the series, which was one of the most enthusiastically received and best reviewed programs on mtv this year. It’s just a tough financial time and mtv needed to keep pushing for higher ratings with other shows. Also, we always knew that our series was an unusual fit for their style of programming. We’re not “The Hills” or “America’s Next Best Dance Crew” after all…”
After completing the feature film for HBO, the concept was pitched to the Trio network, who subsequently backed the short film “On the Campaign Trail”, about the How’s Your News? teams trip to both the Democratic and Republican conventions in 2004. The half hour film was broadcast on Trio and Channel Four England and featured candid interviews with Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Andre 3000, Ben Affleck, Howard Dean, Michael Moore and Newt Gingrich, amongst others. Although it was rarely seen, this half hour documentary was well reviewed and helped convince MTV of the viability of the concept as mainstream TV series. They funded a pilot in 2006.” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How’s_Your_News
“Before we tell you about our background we’d like to answer one of the most frequently asked questions about “How’s Your News?” This question is: “Has anyone ever found this material offensive?”
The short, simple answer is: no. We fully understand why people would express concern upon hearing the concept behind HYN, but we’d hope anyone with such concerns would take a look at the films we’ve made and get to know the background of this project. All of our reporters, and their families, are very proud of this project. The disability community has widely embraced this project, often using our films for training or inspirational purposes. Far from being offensive, they provide a positive, empowering view of life with a disability. That’s our opinion. Please watch our films and let us know what YOU think!” – Hows Your News Team
Boing Boing Digs HYN
“When I first saw the internet version, I remember first feeling a little guilty or awkward for laughing at people with disabilities on-screen. But when I watched the MTV episodes in entirety with the BBV crew, I started to feel like I knew these people, and was more comfortable with it the more I watched. Maybe part of the lesson here is that people with disabilities are real people. They don’t need me to feel “precious” or “protective” about them. It is okay to laugh with them, and when they are being funny in a comedy series, it’s okay to laugh at them, too. Not as people to be pitied, just as people.” – Boing Boing
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