Entertainment

‘Founding Fathers’: ABC Set to Air Texas-Based ‘Militia’ Drama

ABC to Air Texas Based Militia Drama by Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Dan McDermottAccording to Deadline Hollywood, ABC will soon be breaking new ground with its original programming.  Well-known for its hits like “Dancing With the Stars,“ ”Lost,“ and ”Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” ABC is now reportedly creating a show about… a Texas-based militia.

(Related: Militia on Trial: ‘Good Ol’ Boys’ and Preppers, or Anti-Gov’t Domestic Terrorists?)

ABC reportedly bought the pitch– called “Founding Fathers” — from Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Dan McDermott, two former studio executives who were involved in the launching of movies like “The Matrix,“ ”Spin City,“ and ”Transformers.”

Deadline Hollywood adds:

Written by feature scribe Rich D’Ovidio (Exit Woods, Thir13en Ghosts), Founding Fathers is described as “Donnie Brasco set in the world of Texas militias.”  It centers on Nick Keating who, after serving a third tour in Afghanistan, returns home to find his small Texas town under the control of a militia group led by his older foster brother. After being seduced by the militia’s surprisingly community-based motives, he accepts a rare invitation to join the group. But unbeknownst to his new “family,” Nick has a secret agenda that will put his life in jeopardy and lead him to question his allegiances.  [Emphasis added]

For those who don’t recall, “Donnie Brasco” was a 1997 film about an FBI agent who infiltrated the mob, only to find himself “identifying more with the mafia life [at] the expense of his regular one,” according to IMDB.

Here is the “Donnie Brasco” trailer (content warning):

But many commenters — while intrigued by the project– are skeptical of how ABC will present it.

Will it make all gun-owners look like fanatics?  Will it be a thinly-veiled piece to show extreme right wingers as domestic terrorists, like Timothy McVeigh?  And why is it called Founding Fathers?  Will it be dragging their name through the mud, too?

Or, will it actually be a unique work, innovative and intriguing enough to hold the attention of both sides?

One commenter noted that the higher-ups within ABC have continued to employ Brian Ross, who leaped to connect the Aurora, Colorado massacre with a Tea Party supporter.

Another simply said: “A small Texas town under control by ‘Texas militia’? Not very believable… A small Texas town under control by ‘Mexican drug cartel’?  Already there, but we can’t have everybody seeing that on [television], can we?”

Comments (60)

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  • pap pap
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:43pm

    Sounds like they are going to show how a group can try to force their views on others, by force if necessary. Isn’t this just a projection of what the federal government is doing today.

    Report Post »  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on August 2, 2012 at 12:43am

      Just more Bolshevik propaganda from our “chosen people” media/entertainment outlets.

      Report Post » sillyfreshness  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on August 2, 2012 at 8:02am

      The “Militia” is a favorite bogey man of the left. Problem is, just like the monster under your bed it doesn’t exist. Of course they’ll portray preppers, gun owners, etc. as nut jobs-and slander our GI’s to boot. Hasn‘t that been Big Sis’s agenda all along?
      Portraying the truth-like a drug cartel or islamic sleeper cell wouldn’t fit the agenda.

      Report Post »  
    • Alielbaryeshua
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 7:15am

      Yeah. This is ********. I mean, when has a militia EVER tried to commit a terrorist attack?

      NEVER

      These facts remain, that everyone US citizen has the RIGHT under the second amendment to jion or form a militia.

      “A well regulated (trained, not weighed down with red tape) militia being necesary to a free state (not federal government) , the RIGHT of the PEOPLE to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

      Now check this out:

      1903 Militia Act :
      Unorganized Militia – Every male between the ages of 17 and 45 that is ellegible to serve in the Organized Militia (US ARMY) but is not.

      So according to United States law, everyone between the ages of 17 and 45 ALREADY ARE THE MILITIA.

      Its just like the COMMUNIST HOLLYWOOD to go around and demonize gun owners and militias that actually try and help their communities.

      Texas State Militia Rescue Mission Video:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRLX7xwBsTY&feature=youtu.be

      I’m sorry. I’ve just had enough of these Obama supporting commies trying to brainwash the public through trendy television.

      Report Post »  
  • Hugh Williams
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:32pm

    The article asks how ABC will present the show. “Will it make all gun-owners look like fanatics? Will it be a thinly-veiled piece to show extreme right wingers as domestic terrorists, like Timothy McVeigh? And why is it called Founding Fathers? Will it be dragging their name through the mud, too?
    Of course they will try to make conservatives look crazy and dangerous. This ABC they hate America, they hate the Constitution, they hate personal freedom.

    Report Post » Hugh Williams  
    • Independent4233
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:51pm

      Hugh Williams

      “The article asks how ABC will present the show. “Will it make all gun-owners look like fanatics?”

      Yes, it will, but mostly their intent is to demonize the militias, because they hysterically fear them, because they know an armed defense group from middle America has the firepower necessary to comprise an overwhleming force that could well dominate the country.

      They will lie and try to scare the ignorant and uninformed into thinking all militias are just like the Nazi Gestapo or out-of-control vigilantes who hate everybody and use trickery to to get people to adapt to their cause.

      It is the same way they tried to turn America against the TEA PARTY, because they fear and despise any show of strength by Middle America. How many times do they STILL try to claim it is Tea Party members who shoot up theaters and kill people, and that they are racist to the core, because they refuse to sign on to liberal nonsense?

      These are the people who altered the NBC tapes of Zimmerman and doctored ABC photos showing Zimmerman with no injuries, and took it upon themselves to falsify CBS data on Bush over his N.G. record.

      They want to so demonize the militias they will discourage you from wanting to form a self-defense group, because, if you do, they know you will have the means and the will to fight back against any attempts by their leftist goons to take over the country.

      They want to make you afraid of being called a hater and a racist.

      Report Post »  
    • Hugh Williams
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:36pm

      Thank you for the response! Most people will not engage in discussion. I think you are correct. The government will come for us both. Maybe we will meet in the re-education camps.

      Report Post » Hugh Williams  
  • dlivelli
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:26pm

    And I am sure the historical accuracy will be above reproach, the ideology of those in charge will be completely absent, and the reputation ABC has for factual, truthful reporting will shine through like the sun….. Everybody, set your DVR, it will surely be a can’t miss event!

    Report Post »  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:42pm

      There is a large militia forming in NJ called the Oathkeepers. Each day its size grows.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:21pm

      Let’s be clear that gun owners who are part of “militias” or go on militia type training missions or exercises are fanatics.

      Report Post »  
    • Selftrack
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:15pm

      Isn’t there a series like this on TV already? It’s called “Sons of Anarchy” on FX! Except it’s set in Mexifornia. By the way, their merchandise (hats and T-shirts) is cool and not very expensive! When I wear them, people leave me alone!

      Report Post »  
    • DesdemonasCrew
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:00pm

      jrook
      When obama says “let me be clear” he is about to tell a lie.

      Report Post » DesdemonasCrew  
    • Independent4233
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 6:10pm

      http://oathkeepers.org/oath/

      As Glenn says: Prepare….prepare….prepare…..

      BUT DON’T DO IT ALONE

      Join a militia in your area today or start your own neighborhood/community social/defense watch group yourself.and network with others across the US.

      Report Post »  
  • jcldwl
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:12pm

    People still watch T.V. ? Gosh I didn’t know that.

    Report Post » jcldwl  
  • catdragonwrangler
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:37pm

    I am a Texan, (but not a member of a militia, unless of course that means I own firearms), media portrayals of Texas, Texans, and all things included, have been historically awful. The only show I have watched on ABC for the past years is Dancing With the Starts. Maybe they should stick to true “Entertainment” rather than “dramas”.

    Report Post »  
    • SERUM
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 6:18pm

      Americans should brush up on some Texas history as in the soon to be forgotten “Treue der Union” massacre which will be remembered this month by the town of Comfort, Tx. and not let Hollywood determine Texas’ character. Some REAL history!

      Report Post »  
  • Call2Action
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:35pm

    So, ABC will make a show that insults and denigrates conservatives, patriots, gun owners, veterans, Texans, and anyone who loves freedom over the tyranny being planned and executed by the progressive leftists. It will tank big time. It’s too bad that ABC, once a great network, is now just a slave to the anti-american leftists. In the 70s, 80s and early 90s, ABC had the best shows on TV. I don’t know how low can you go, but ABC will lead the way.

    Report Post »  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:35pm

    Oh boy! We are going to get an ultra realistic look at a leftie’s vision of America. Actually we are going to be able to view Walking Tall only with a militia group being the bad guys instead of criminals. Want to bet that the militia group is controlled by the local Tea Party?
    But don’t worry. The marxist hero will save the day just like Dear Leader did once his Seal Team 6 custom made uniform was ready!
    I’ll bet all the good guys are going to love this one! You know like Stalin, Hitler and Mao!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
  • Landon410
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:35pm

    a small texas town IS a milita.
    A small texas town can fend for itself, feed itself etc.

    I’d take 10 small texas town guys with deer rifles over 1000 liberal big city gang bangers

    but youre all right, this will be a way to make people think Texas is full of crazy people

    Report Post »  
    • Lt_Scrounge
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:04pm

      I’d say 500 gang bangers, but not a thousand. Those gang bangers can run pretty fast and the Texans would have to reload sometime. I figure with a dozen good deer hunters with lever action rifles would have to reload too often to get a full thousand. Now if you give them some decent semi auto rifles with magazines, that would change. Lever and bolt actions are just too slow to reload.

      Report Post »  
  • Daveed
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:14pm

    Just another propaganda with evil political motives television series. ABC is not worth the time it takes to press the remote on button anymore.

    Report Post »  
  • dublinthewagons
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:03pm

    Spinoff will be “Texas malitia takes over Chicago and wipes out thugs”
    Poor Obama has to move to Gazza

    Report Post »  
  • davidwjohnson
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:51am

    If ABC was smart, which they’re not, they’d make the series patriotic. Because about the time the drama debuts, Romney will have been sworn into office and America isn’t going to be interested in progressive BS.

    Report Post »  
  • dublinthewagons
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:50am

    Don’t mess with Texas.

    Report Post »  
    • TexasHunter
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:20pm

      Amen! We are cleaning house and the left is & will always be mad. Time to sweep out the sht! OMG 2012

      Report Post » TexasHunter  
  • DarthMims
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:46am

    I am hoping this show can track down the middle in order to show both sides. A town ruled by a local militia would be safe and allow Americans to once again leave doors unlocked and live in a common sense society. However, it is a historical fact that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and I am sure that is what the show will focus on.

    Report Post » DarthMims  
  • rja444
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:36am

    About 25 years ago ABC did a docudrama called Amerika. It was about the soviet take over of the USA. It depicted the soviets destroy everything American and even killing off every member of Congress. was The the ending of the show a “you decide how the story ends”, Apparently ABC could have ended the show with the American citizens taking their country back and restoring democracy but ABC did not want to offend the Russians. I am sure knowing ABC liberals views that they intend to show our Founding Fathers and the TEA PARTY in the worst way possible.

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:33am

    we’re in a rural pro-America militia and are all US combat veterans, we support AMERICA and the US CONSTITUTION, not the obama communist and muslim party. we never renounced our oath to DEFEND AMERICA & THE US CONSTITUTION from foreign and DOMESTIC threats.

    and none of us will be watching their commie anti-FoundingFathers anti-2ndAmendment propaganda drivel on the AllBastrdsChannel –because we already do not patronize any of obama’s channels.

    since obama’s communist party took over the lamestream media in total, we get news via Drudge and Breitbart and THEBLAZEtv all the way.

    we also watch DUCK DYNASTY. OH YEAH.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • PRESENTSOFMIND
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:27am

    Will ABC ever give up? They tried this with that GCB crap, now this. All they end up with is a low neilson rating.

    Report Post » PRESENTSOFMIND  
    • mecanic
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:36am

      piss on abc and there left wing libratard thinking. just turn them off, o wait i already have because they s@#k.

      Report Post » mecanic  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:22am

    “Will it make all gun-owners look like fanatics?  Will it be a thinly-veiled piece to show extreme right wingers as domestic terrorists, like Timothy McVeigh?  And why is it called Founding Fathers?  Will it be dragging their name through the mud, too?”
    —————————————————–
    You can bet your a$$ it will!

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • OneTermPresident
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:17am

    “I want to fundamentally transform America”…

    Name one thing that’s been good for the country as a whole… since Obama.

    Report Post » OneTermPresident  
  • team1blazer
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:15am

    Yeah, like I’ll be wasting my time watching this garbage…NOT

    Report Post » team1blazer  
  • Tyler520
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:15am

    This is just going to be nothing more than an anti-conservative, pro Obama Regime propaganda piece

    Report Post »  
    • loggs14
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:39am

      Yup, they need to make a show, it will be of a medium to big city run 100% by leftis dimocrats…

      So it will start out looking like Detroit and then over the pilot see how it gets worse. Like one show can be how they are giving out Obama money. Next one will be calling 911 and it taking two hours to arrive. Than we do a bunch of shows on 11th grade students that can add, subtract, read… Show how the community organizers work with gangs to kill one less person a day or rob one less business owner… We can have a show where a business owner has to pay 10 times his icome to the city cause NO ONE built their own business… they owe the government for roads and bridges…

      The corruption theme in local government will be on going in every epsiode… We want the show to realistic right?

      Report Post »  
  • sw12
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:03am

    This is to teach or returning military who the enemy is. Remember Obama needs a civilian army as big as our military.
    It’s also to teach everyday Americans that the militia is wrong.

    Report Post »  
  • jrcess
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:52am

    the All Barrack Channel and the Communist News Network will both be out of business within 2 years. Neither channel knows how to tell the truth, all lies and Bull Crap.

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:48am

    Militias are the last line of defense in this country and to increase our national security, we need to do everything to allow them to be powerful and allow the people to be as well. If major blowback were to occur from our foreign policy and say Russia and China attacked America our military and cops could get wiped out and than its up to over 150 million armed Americans to defend the country. but of course this would likely happen if everyone gave up their nukes.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:06am

      You’re thinking is small, Militia first and foremost priority is to supress tyranny from with in as we have a military to supress agression from outside our borders. not only is it the militia job it’s also the job of every police,and soldier to protect liberty form enemies foriegn and domestic

      Report Post »  
    • scuba13
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:10am

      What militia are you a member of ?

      Report Post » scuba13  
    • Anadara
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:50pm

      My pistol is for protection, my rifle is for hunting, and my black guns are for defense against tyranny. For Hollywierd to vilify gun owners who happen to have a common interest in our constitutional freedoms only illustrates that liberals are indeed trying to destroy freedom for everyone, that is, except for themselves. I refuse to be a Helot. I will start by writing a letter to ABC suggesting that they change their targets to Chicago gang lords.

      Report Post » Anadara  
  • johnjamison
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:46am

    Can’t wait to not watch this propaganda piece by the All Barrak Channel

    Report Post »  
    • skimmer57
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:26am

      John– Sounds like you are not in favor of a background check to purchase weapons. If you feel the big need to buy something without a background check I suggest a script to porn that way you can squeeze off as many rounds as you want!

      Report Post »  
  • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
    Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:44am

    So how do I join this militia?

    Report Post » Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • scuba13
      Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:11am

      If you live in fantasy land you are already a member.

      Report Post » scuba13  
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