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{{Infobox television |
{{Infobox television |
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| show_name = America: The Story of Us |
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| image = America The Story of Us cover.png |
| image = America The Story of Us cover.png |
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| image_size = |
| image_size = 200 |
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| image_alt = |
| image_alt = |
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| caption = |
| caption = |
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| genre = [[Documentary]]<br />History |
| genre = [[Documentary]]<br />History |
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| starring = |
| starring = |
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| narrated = [[Liev Schreiber]]<br />[[Danny Webb (actor)|Danny Webb]] <small>(international version)</small> |
| narrated = [[Liev Schreiber]]<br />[[Danny Webb (actor)|Danny Webb]] <small>(international version)</small> |
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| theme_music_composer = [[Anne Nikitin]]<br />[[John E.R. Hardy|John Hardy]] <small>(4 episodes)</small><br /> |
| theme_music_composer = [[Anne Nikitin]]<br />[[John E.R. Hardy|John Hardy]] <small>(4 episodes)</small><br />Stuart Fox <small>(4 episodes)</small> |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| num_episodes = 12<ref> |
| num_episodes = 12<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nutopia.com/|title=Nutopia | Humanity's Biggest Subjects|website=Nutopia}}</ref> |
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| producer = |
| producer = |
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| editor = |
| editor = |
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| cinematography = |
| cinematography = [[Giulio Biccari]] |
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| runtime = 540 minutes |
| runtime = 540 minutes |
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| company = |
| company = [[Nutopia (production company)|Nutopia]] |
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| distributor = |
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| budget = |
| budget = |
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| network = [[History ( |
| network = [[History (American TV channel)|History]] |
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| first_aired = {{start date|2010|4|25}} |
| first_aired = {{start date|2010|4|25}} |
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| last_aired = {{ |
| last_aired = {{end date|2010|5|31}} |
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| related = {{plainlist| |
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| followed_by = |
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| related = {{plainlist| |
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* ''[[Australia: The Story of Us]]'' |
* ''[[Australia: The Story of Us]]'' |
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* ''[[Canada: The Story of Us]]'' |
* ''[[Canada: The Story of Us]]'' |
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* ''[[Mankind: The Story of All of Us]]'' |
* ''[[Mankind: The Story of All of Us]]'' |
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}} |
}} |
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| website = http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''America: The Story of Us''''' (also internationally known as '''''America: The Story of the U.S.''''')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyasia.com/series_details.aspx?proId=1&cId=72|title=America The Story of the US| |
'''''America: The Story of Us''''' (also internationally known as '''''America: The Story of the U.S.''''')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyasia.com/series_details.aspx?proId=1&cId=72|title=America The Story of the US|access-date=July 18, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> is a 12-part, 9-hour [[documentary]]-drama television [[miniseries]]<ref name="washington post">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042301898.html|title=Review of 'America: The Story of Us': TV miniseries has flash but not creativity|last=Shales|first=Tom|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 25, 2010|access-date=April 25, 2010}}</ref> that premiered on April 25, 2010, on [[History (American TV channel)|History]].<ref name="history.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us/articles/about-america-the-story-of-us|title=America The Story of Us – About America The Story of Us|publisher=A&E Television Networks|year=2010|access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref> Produced by [[Nutopia (production company)|Nutopia]], the program portrays more than 400 years of [[history of the United States|American history]] (with emphasis on how American creation of new technologies has had effects on the nation's history and, by implication, the world). It spans time from the successful English settlement of [[Jamestown Settlement|Jamestown]] beginning in 1607, through to the present day.<ref name="m&c">{{cite web|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1476725.php/History_announces_America_The_Story_of_Us_12_part_series_for_2010|title=History announces 'America The Story of Us' 12 part series for 2010|last=MacIntyre|first=April|publisher=Monsters and Critics|date=May 12, 2009|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501003525/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1476725.php/History_announces_America_The_Story_of_Us_12_part_series_for_2010|archive-date=2010-05-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> Narrated by [[Liev Schreiber]] ([[Danny Webb (actor)|Danny Webb]] for the international version), the series [[historical reenactment|recreates]] many historical events by using actors dressed in the style of the period and [[computer-generated imagery|computer-generated]] [[special effect]]s. The miniseries received mixed reviews by critics; but it attracted the largest audiences of any special aired by the channel to date. |
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==Episodes== |
==Episodes== |
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{{Episode table |total_width= |background=2F4F2F |overall= |title= |airdate= |viewers= |country=U.S. |episodes= |
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{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
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|- |
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! style="width:20px;"|No. |
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! Title<ref name="episodes">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us/episodes/|title=Episode Guide|publisher=History|year=2010|accessdate=September 1, 2016}}</ref> |
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! Original air date |
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! Viewers<br />{{small|(in millions)}} |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| EpisodeNumber=1 |
| EpisodeNumber=1 |
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| Title=Rebels |
| Title=Rebels |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|4|25}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|4|25}} |
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| ShortSummary=From [[Jamestown Settlement|Jamestown]] to [[Plymouth, Massachusetts|Plymouth]], early settlers fight for survival. [[Tobacco]] sows the seeds of opportunity; the north becomes a powerhouse of trade. Tension, taxation, and resistance |
| ShortSummary=From [[Jamestown Settlement|Jamestown]] to [[Plymouth, Massachusetts|Plymouth]], early settlers fight for survival. [[Tobacco]] sows the seeds of opportunity; the north becomes a powerhouse of trade. Tension, taxation, and resistance cause the American colonists to begin doing what many consider impossible: to successfully rebel against the [[British Crown]].<!--the British Empire did not yet exist--> |
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| Viewers=5.674<ref name="TVbytheNumbers1a">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/27/cable-top-25-nfl-draft-america-the-story-of-us-top-weekly-cable-viewing/49736|title=Cable Top 25: ''NFL Draft'', ''America The Story of US'' Top Weekly Cable Viewing|publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=April 27, 2010|access-date=May 7, 2010|archive-date=May 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503201926/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/27/cable-top-25-nfl-draft-america-the-story-of-us-top-weekly-cable-viewing/49736|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|4|25}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|4|25}} |
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| ShortSummary=[[George Washington]]'s army is near defeat, but new weapons and battle tactics turn the tide. The colonies declare independence from the British. Forged through [[American Revolution|revolution]], a new nation is born. |
| ShortSummary=[[George Washington]]'s army is near defeat, but new weapons and battle tactics turn the tide. The colonies declare independence from the British. Forged through [[American Revolution|revolution]], a new nation is born. |
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| Viewers=5.674<ref name="TVbytheNumbers1a" /> |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| Title=Westward |
| Title=Westward |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|2}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|2}} |
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| ShortSummary=Trailblazing pioneers set out to conquer the west in the mid-19th century, but find the land already occupied. Wagon trains meet hardship on the road to [[California |
| ShortSummary=Trailblazing pioneers set out to conquer the west in the mid-19th century, but find the land already occupied. Wagon trains meet hardship on the road to [[California Gold Rush|California's gold]]. The steamboat ushers in a new era of commerce, industry, and unprecedented wealth. |
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| Viewers=3.881<ref name="TVbytheNumbers2a">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/04/cable-top-25-lebron-is-the-king-of-cable-celtics-vs-cavs-wwe-raw-icarly-top-weekly-cable-viewing/50419|title=Cable Top 25: Lebron is the King (of Cable), Celtics vs. Cavs, ''WWE RAW'', ''iCarly'' Top Weekly Cable Viewing|publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=May 4, 2010|access-date=May 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507022135/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/04/cable-top-25-lebron-is-the-king-of-cable-celtics-vs-cavs-wwe-raw-icarly-top-weekly-cable-viewing/50419|archive-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref> |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| Title=Division |
| Title=Division |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|2}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|2}} |
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| ShortSummary=Commerce and industry thrive across the new nation, now one of the wealthiest in the world. The [[Erie Canal]] brings big risk and bigger reward. In the South, cotton is king but [[slavery]] fuels a growing divide. Violence flares across the territories and [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist]]s make a stand for freedom. The election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] is a catalyst |
| ShortSummary=Commerce and industry thrive across the new nation, now one of the wealthiest in the world. The [[Erie Canal]] brings big risk and bigger reward. In the South, cotton is king but [[slavery]] fuels a growing divide. Violence flares across the territories and [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist]]s make a stand for freedom. The election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] is a catalyst of war. |
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| Viewers=3.881<ref name="TVbytheNumbers2a" /> |
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}} |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|9}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|9}} |
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| ShortSummary=The [[American Civil War]] rages. The formidable Confederate army cannot match the Union's mastery of technology; railroads, manufacturing capacity, supply lines and the telegraph become new weapons in a modern war. |
| ShortSummary=The [[American Civil War]] rages. The formidable Confederate army cannot match the Union's mastery of technology; railroads, manufacturing capacity, supply lines and the telegraph become new weapons in a modern war. |
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| Viewers=3.281<ref name="TVbytheNumbers3a">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/11/sunday-cable-nba-army-wives-tops-with-18-49-the-pacific-dives-below-2-million/51106 |title=Sunday Cable: NBA, 'Army Wives' Tops With 18–49; 'The Pacific' Dives Below 2 Million |publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com |last=Seidman |first=Robert |date=May 11, 2010 |access-date=May 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514094725/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/11/sunday-cable-nba-army-wives-tops-with-18-49-the-pacific-dives-below-2-million/51106 |archive-date=14 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|9}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|9}} |
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| ShortSummary=The [[Transcontinental Railroad]] unites the nation and transforms the [[American Heartland]]. Native American civilizations decline as farmers settle the continent. Cattle replace wild buffalo as king of the [[Great Plains]]. The [[cowboy]] becomes a new American icon. |
| ShortSummary=The [[Transcontinental Railroad]] unites the nation and transforms the [[American Heartland]]. Native American civilizations decline as farmers settle the continent. Cattle replace wild buffalo as king of the [[Great Plains]]. The [[cowboy]] becomes a new American icon. |
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| Viewers=3.281<ref name="TVbytheNumbers3a" /> |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|16}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|16}} |
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| ShortSummary=Americans conquer a new frontier: the modern city, with [[Andrew Carnegie]]'s empire of [[steel]] as its backbone. [[Skyscraper]]s and the [[Statue of Liberty]] are symbols of the [[American Dream]] for millions of immigrants. Urban life introduces a new breed of social ills, causing several bold individuals to make a stand. |
| ShortSummary=Americans conquer a new frontier: the modern city, with [[Andrew Carnegie]]'s empire of [[steel]] as its backbone. [[Skyscraper]]s and the [[Statue of Liberty]] are symbols of the [[American Dream]] for millions of immigrants. Urban life introduces a new breed of social ills, causing several bold individuals to make a stand. |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| Title=Boom |
| Title=Boom |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|16}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|16}} |
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| ShortSummary=America strikes oil and the boom time begins. [[Henry Ford]] brings the motorcar to the masses and the nation hits the road. Massive engineering projects modernize the [[American West]]. Intended to cure vice, [[Prohibition]] fuels the growth of organized crime in burgeoning cities, as well as widespread moonshine production and bootlegging in many rural areas, and smuggling around the [[Great Lakes]]. |
| ShortSummary=America strikes oil and the boom time begins. [[Henry Ford]] brings the motorcar to the masses and the nation hits the road. Massive engineering projects modernize the [[Western United States|American West]]. Intended to cure vice, [[Prohibition]] fuels the growth of organized crime in burgeoning cities, as well as widespread moonshine production and bootlegging in many rural areas, and smuggling around the [[Great Lakes]]. |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|23}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|23}} |
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| ShortSummary=Boom turns to bust when the [[stock market crash]]es. The [[Great Depression]] and the [[Dust Bowl]] blanket the nation in darkness. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s [[New Deal]] signals recovery, while the boxer [[Joe Louis]] overcomes racial disputes to help bring America's pride back. |
| ShortSummary=Boom turns to bust when the [[stock market crash]]es. The [[Great Depression]] and the [[Dust Bowl]] blanket the nation in darkness. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s [[New Deal]] signals recovery, while the boxer [[Joe Louis]] overcomes racial disputes to help bring America's pride back. |
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| Viewers=2.759<ref name="TVbytheNumbers5a">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/25/sunday-cable-lakerssuns-nba-playoff-america-the-story-of-us-tops-with-18-49/52381|title=Sunday Cable: Lakers/Suns NBA Playoff, America: The Story Of US Tops With 18–49|publisher=TVbytheNumbers.com|last=Gorman|first=Bill|date=May 25, 2010|access-date=May 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529204913/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/25/sunday-cable-lakerssuns-nba-playoff-america-the-story-of-us-tops-with-18-49/52381|archive-date=29 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|23}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|23}} |
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| ShortSummary=The [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] brings America into World War II. The war effort revitalizes the nation's economy. American innovation and manufacturing invigorate the Allies in Europe and in the Pacific; [[nuclear weapon]]s help end the war. A new global superpower takes the stage. |
| ShortSummary=The [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] brings America into World War II. The war effort revitalizes the nation's economy. American innovation and manufacturing invigorate the Allies in Europe and in the Pacific; [[nuclear weapon]]s help end the war. A new global superpower takes the stage. |
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| Viewers=2.759<ref name="TVbytheNumbers5a" /> |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|31}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|31}} |
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| ShortSummary=America becomes a global [[superpower]]; technology fuels a boom in the economy and the population. American pioneers conquer new frontiers, from the jet age to the space age, and perceive a new threat: [[Communism]]. |
| ShortSummary=America becomes a global [[superpower]]; technology fuels a boom in the economy and the population. American pioneers conquer new frontiers, from the jet age to the space age, and perceive a new threat: [[Communism]]. |
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{{Episode list |
{{Episode list |
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| Title=Millennium |
| Title=Millennium |
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| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|31}} |
| OriginalAirDate={{start date|2010|5|31}} |
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| ShortSummary=The [[Cold War]] is the first test for the new superpower. The [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster]] and the [[September 11 attacks]] are tragedies that challenge the nation. From the television to the credit card and the personal computer, technology drives America into the 21st Century. |
| ShortSummary=The [[Cold War]] is the first test for the new superpower. The [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster]] and the [[September 11 attacks]] are tragedies that challenge the nation. From the television to the credit card and the personal computer, technology drives America into the 21st Century. |
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==Commentators== |
==Commentators== |
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The following are commentators who appear on the miniseries<ref name="Internet Movie Database">{{cite web|url= |
The following are commentators who appear on the miniseries<ref name="Internet Movie Database">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1641653/fullcredits#cast|title=America: The Story of Us|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=May 14, 2010}}</ref> (listed in alphabetical order): |
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* [[David Baldacci]] – [[Bestseller|Bestselling]] American [[novelist]]. |
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{{col-begin}} |
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* [[ |
* [[Michael Bloomberg]] – Former [[Mayor of New York City]]. |
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* [[ |
* [[Anthony Bourdain]] – American chef and writer. |
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* Henry W. Brands – Historian and Professor of History at [[University of Texas at Austin]]. |
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* Albert Camarillo – History professor at [[Stanford University]]. |
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* [[Margaret Cho]] – Comedian, actress, and activist. |
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* Albert Camarillo – history professor, Stanford University |
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* [[ |
* [[Sheryl Crow]] – Singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. |
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* [[ |
* [[Melissa Etheridge]] – Singer-songwriter. |
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* [[Melissa Etheridge]] – singer-songwriter |
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* [[Annette Gordon-Reed]] – [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning American historian and law professor. |
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* [[Tim Gunn]] – Creative director of [[Liz Claiborne]] and former mentor on ''[[Project Runway]].'' |
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* [[ |
* [[Sean Hannity]] – American radio/television host and [[pundit (expert)|political commentator]]. |
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* [[ |
* [[Rick Harrison]] – Co-owner of the [[Pawn Stars|Gold & Silver Pawn Shop]]. |
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* [[ |
* [[Caitlyn Jenner|Bruce Jenner]] – American Olympic Gold Medalist and reality TV figure. |
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* [[Steven Berlin Johnson]] – American [[popular science]] author. |
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* [[Rick Harrison]] – co-owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop |
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* [[ |
* [[David M. Kennedy (historian)|David Kennedy]] – American historian. |
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* [[ |
* [[John Lasseter]] – American animator, former chief creative officer of [[Pixar]] and [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]]. |
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* [[David M. Kennedy (historian)|David Kennedy]] – American historian |
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* [[ |
* [[Richard Machowicz]] – Former [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]], weapons expert, and host of [[Future Weapons]]. |
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* Joseph Marinaccio – American business magnate, founder and CEO of Slam Content. |
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* [[Soledad O'Brien]] – American journalist and [[CNN]] figure. |
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* [[Soledad O'Brien]] – American journalist and [[CNN]] figure |
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* [[Al Sharpton]] – [[American Baptist Churches USA|Baptist]] minister and [[Civil and political rights|civil rights]] activist. |
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* [[ |
* [[Richard Norton Smith]] – American historian and author specializing in [[President of the United States|US presidents]]. |
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* [[Richard Norton Smith]] – American historian and author specializing in [[President of the United States|US presidents]] |
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* [[Meryl Streep]] – [[Academy Award]]-winning actress. |
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* [[ |
* [[Jimmy Wales]] – Co-founder of [[Wikipedia]]. |
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* [[ |
* [[Brian Williams]] – Former anchor and managing editor of ''[[NBC Nightly News]].'' |
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* [[Vera Wang]] – American fashion designer |
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* [[Brian Williams]] – former anchor and managing editor of ''NBC Nightly News'' |
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{{col-end}} |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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The documentary received a 60% approval rating from Metacritic.com. Many criticized the series for having too many "celebrities" express their opinions about the United States, rather than having historians provide more insight and data about particular periods and events.<ref> |
The documentary received a 60% approval rating from Metacritic.com. Many criticized the series for having too many "celebrities" express their opinions about the United States, rather than having historians provide more insight and data about particular periods and events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://apps.metacritic.com/tv/shows/americathestoryofus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209031928/http://apps.metacritic.com/tv/shows/americathestoryofus|url-status=dead|title=Metacritic reviews|archive-date=February 9, 2011}}</ref> |
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Critics praised the series' willingness to grapple with some of the difficult issues in US history, including African slavery, racial segregation and the genocide of the Native Americans.<ref name="washingtonpost1">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042301898.html |title=Tom Shales – Review of 'America: The Story of Us': TV miniseries has flash but not creativity | |
Critics praised the series' willingness to grapple with some of the difficult issues in US history, including African slavery, racial segregation and the genocide of the Native Americans.<ref name="washingtonpost1">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042301898.html |title=Tom Shales – Review of 'America: The Story of Us': TV miniseries has flash but not creativity |work=Washingtonpost.com |date= April 25, 2010|access-date=2012-12-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/45020/america-the-story-of-us/ |title=America: The Story of Us : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video |publisher=Dvdtalk.com |access-date=2012-12-03}}</ref> Mary McNamara, of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', wrote that "'America: The Story of Us' seems to draw its inspiration from Fox's '24' and the E! Channel." She continues, "[I]n the first hour, producer Jane Root seems more enamored of her ability to conjure, in glorious CG, the lifecycle of a tobacco plant or the brick-by-brick construction of New Amsterdam than anything so dull as explaining the complexities of actual history."<ref name="latimes1">{{cite news|author=MARY McNAMARA|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/24/entertainment/la-et-story-us-20100424 |title=Television review: 'America: The Story of Us' summarizes hundreds of years in 12 hours |work=Los Angeles Times |date=1993-02-27 |access-date=2012-12-03}}</ref> |
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Critics generally commented that CGI effects were overused, as were clichéd soundbites and [[hyperbole]] that seemed intended to move the narrative along.<ref name="washingtonpost1"/><ref name="latimes1"/> Tom Shales of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' found seven repetitions of the notion that "What happened next would change the course of US history forever" within the first episode, and remarked: "Maybe everything that happens changes the course of something. Or maybe nothing that happens changes the course of anything. Simply saying 'everything changed forever' is really a substitute for thinking, not an example of it, but then 'America: The Story of Us' is basically a poor excuse for a documentary—even if it succeeds on the superficial level of, say, a [[lava lamp]]."<ref name="washingtonpost1"/> |
Critics generally commented that CGI effects were overused, as were clichéd soundbites and [[hyperbole]] that seemed intended to move the narrative along.<ref name="washingtonpost1"/><ref name="latimes1"/> Tom Shales of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' found seven repetitions of the notion that "What happened next would change the course of US history forever" within the first episode, and remarked: "Maybe everything that happens changes the course of something. Or maybe nothing that happens changes the course of anything. Simply saying 'everything changed forever' is really a substitute for thinking, not an example of it, but then 'America: The Story of Us' is basically a poor excuse for a documentary—even if it succeeds on the superficial level of, say, a [[lava lamp]]."<ref name="washingtonpost1"/> |
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Surpassed by the series ''[[The Bible ( |
Surpassed by the series ''[[The Bible (miniseries)|The Bible]],''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/arts/television/the-bible-mini-series-on-history-channel.html|title='The Bible' Mini-Series on the History Channel – NYTimes.com|access-date=2013-03-11 | work=The New York Times|first=Neil|last=Genzlinger|date=March 1, 2013}}</ref> which garnered over 13 million viewers of its first episode,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/04/historys-the-bible-is-the-number-1-cable-entertainment-telecast-of-the-year/171878/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307081831/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/04/historys-the-bible-is-the-number-1-cable-entertainment-telecast-of-the-year/171878/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 7, 2013 |title=History's 'The Bible' is the Number 1 Cable Entertainment Telecast of the Year |
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|author=Bibel, Sara |date=March 4, 2013 |work=[[TV by the Numbers]] |publisher=A+E press release | |
|author=Bibel, Sara |date=March 4, 2013 |work=[[TV by the Numbers]] |publisher=A+E press release |access-date=March 4, 2013}}</ref> ''America: The Story of US'' was watched by 5.7 million total viewers for its first episode and drew a 4.0 household rating.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/television/America-The-Story-Of-Us-Breaks-Ratings-Records-24293.html |title=America: The Story Of Us Breaks Ratings Records |author=Jason J. Hughes |date=April 29, 2010 |publisher=Television Blend |access-date=May 28, 2011 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824194611/http://www.cinemablend.com/television/America-The-Story-Of-Us-Breaks-Ratings-Records-24293.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In conjunction with the broadcast, the History channel launched its largest educational outreach initiative, offering a series DVD to every school and accredited college in the [[United States]]. |
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''America: The Story of Us'' has been nominated for four [[Emmy Award]]s for the episode "Division", which traced the growing tensions between the North and South, as well as contrasts between plantation and urban economies. The nominations were in the categories for non-fiction programming of "Outstanding Cinematography", "Outstanding Picture Editing ", "Outstanding Sound Editing" and "Outstanding Writing".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nutopia.com/general/america-story-of-us-up-for-4-emmy-awards/ |title=America Story Of Us up for 4 Emmy Awards |
''America: The Story of Us'' has been nominated for four [[Emmy Award]]s for the episode "Division", which traced the growing tensions between the North and South, as well as contrasts between plantation and urban economies. The nominations were in the categories for non-fiction programming of "Outstanding Cinematography", "Outstanding Picture Editing ", "Outstanding Sound Editing" and "Outstanding Writing".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nutopia.com/general/america-story-of-us-up-for-4-emmy-awards/ |title=America Story Of Us up for 4 Emmy Awards |date=July 12, 2010 |publisher=[[Nutopia]] |access-date=May 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104040911/http://www.nutopia.com/general/america-story-of-us-up-for-4-emmy-awards/ |archive-date=2011-11-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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==International edition== |
==International edition== |
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An [[Australia]]n series based on the American series, titled ''[[Australia: The Story of Us]]'', aired from February 25, 2015 on the [[Seven Network]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[TV Tonight]]|first=David|last=Knox|title=Airdate: Australia: The Story of Us|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/02/airdate-australia-the-story-of-us.html|date=9 February 2015| |
An [[Australia]]n series based on the American series, titled ''[[Australia: The Story of Us]]'', aired from February 25, 2015 on the [[Seven Network]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[TV Tonight]]|first=David|last=Knox|title=Airdate: Australia: The Story of Us|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/02/airdate-australia-the-story-of-us.html|date=9 February 2015|access-date=9 February 2015}}</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
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==See also== |
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* [[Die Deutschen]] |
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* [[Canada: A People's History]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* {{IMDb title|1641653}} |
* {{IMDb title|1641653}} |
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* [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/president-barack-obama-to-open-america-the-story-of-us-series-on-historytm-91601034.html "Obama Introduces 'America The Story Of Us'"] |
* [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/president-barack-obama-to-open-america-the-story-of-us-series-on-historytm-91601034.html "Obama Introduces 'America The Story Of Us'"] |
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* [http://www.cinemablend.com/television/America-The-Story-Of-Us-Breaks-Ratings-Records-24293.html "'America: The Story of Us' breaks ratings records"], Cinema Blend |
* [http://www.cinemablend.com/television/America-The-Story-Of-Us-Breaks-Ratings-Records-24293.html "'America: The Story of Us' breaks ratings records"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824194611/http://www.cinemablend.com/television/America-The-Story-Of-Us-Breaks-Ratings-Records-24293.html |date=2019-08-24 }}, Cinema Blend |
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* [http://www.emmys.com/nominations Emmy Nominations] |
* [http://www.emmys.com/nominations Emmy Nominations] |
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{{History |
{{History films}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:America: The Story Of Us}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:America: The Story Of Us}} |
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[[Category:History ( |
[[Category:History (American TV channel) original programming]] |
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[[Category:American documentary television series]] |
[[Category:2010s American documentary television series]] |
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[[Category:2010 American television series debuts]] |
[[Category:2010 American television series debuts]] |
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[[Category:2010 American television series endings]] |
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[[Category:Television series about the history of the United States]] |
[[Category:Television series about the history of the United States]] |
Latest revision as of 08:12, 14 November 2023
America: The Story of Us | |
---|---|
Genre | Documentary History |
Written by | Ed Fields Daniel Hall |
Narrated by | Liev Schreiber Danny Webb (international version) |
Theme music composer | Anne Nikitin John Hardy (4 episodes) Stuart Fox (4 episodes) |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of episodes | 12[1] |
Production | |
Cinematography | Giulio Biccari |
Running time | 540 minutes |
Production company | Nutopia |
Original release | |
Network | History |
Release | April 25 May 31, 2010 | –
Related | |
America: The Story of Us (also internationally known as America: The Story of the U.S.)[2] is a 12-part, 9-hour documentary-drama television miniseries[3] that premiered on April 25, 2010, on History.[4] Produced by Nutopia, the program portrays more than 400 years of American history (with emphasis on how American creation of new technologies has had effects on the nation's history and, by implication, the world). It spans time from the successful English settlement of Jamestown beginning in 1607, through to the present day.[5] Narrated by Liev Schreiber (Danny Webb for the international version), the series recreates many historical events by using actors dressed in the style of the period and computer-generated special effects. The miniseries received mixed reviews by critics; but it attracted the largest audiences of any special aired by the channel to date.
Episodes
No. | Title | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Rebels" | April 25, 2010 | 5.674[6] | |
From Jamestown to Plymouth, early settlers fight for survival. Tobacco sows the seeds of opportunity; the north becomes a powerhouse of trade. Tension, taxation, and resistance cause the American colonists to begin doing what many consider impossible: to successfully rebel against the British Crown. | ||||
2 | "Revolution" | April 25, 2010 | 5.674[6] | |
George Washington's army is near defeat, but new weapons and battle tactics turn the tide. The colonies declare independence from the British. Forged through revolution, a new nation is born. | ||||
3 | "Westward" | May 2, 2010 | 3.881[7] | |
Trailblazing pioneers set out to conquer the west in the mid-19th century, but find the land already occupied. Wagon trains meet hardship on the road to California's gold. The steamboat ushers in a new era of commerce, industry, and unprecedented wealth. | ||||
4 | "Division" | May 2, 2010 | 3.881[7] | |
Commerce and industry thrive across the new nation, now one of the wealthiest in the world. The Erie Canal brings big risk and bigger reward. In the South, cotton is king but slavery fuels a growing divide. Violence flares across the territories and abolitionists make a stand for freedom. The election of Abraham Lincoln is a catalyst of war. | ||||
5 | "Civil War" | May 9, 2010 | 3.281[8] | |
The American Civil War rages. The formidable Confederate army cannot match the Union's mastery of technology; railroads, manufacturing capacity, supply lines and the telegraph become new weapons in a modern war. | ||||
6 | "Heartland" | May 9, 2010 | 3.281[8] | |
The Transcontinental Railroad unites the nation and transforms the American Heartland. Native American civilizations decline as farmers settle the continent. Cattle replace wild buffalo as king of the Great Plains. The cowboy becomes a new American icon. | ||||
7 | "Cities" | May 16, 2010 | N/A | |
Americans conquer a new frontier: the modern city, with Andrew Carnegie's empire of steel as its backbone. Skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty are symbols of the American Dream for millions of immigrants. Urban life introduces a new breed of social ills, causing several bold individuals to make a stand. | ||||
8 | "Boom" | May 16, 2010 | N/A | |
America strikes oil and the boom time begins. Henry Ford brings the motorcar to the masses and the nation hits the road. Massive engineering projects modernize the American West. Intended to cure vice, Prohibition fuels the growth of organized crime in burgeoning cities, as well as widespread moonshine production and bootlegging in many rural areas, and smuggling around the Great Lakes. | ||||
9 | "Bust" | May 23, 2010 | 2.759[9] | |
Boom turns to bust when the stock market crashes. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl blanket the nation in darkness. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal signals recovery, while the boxer Joe Louis overcomes racial disputes to help bring America's pride back. | ||||
10 | "World War II" | May 23, 2010 | 2.759[9] | |
The attack on Pearl Harbor brings America into World War II. The war effort revitalizes the nation's economy. American innovation and manufacturing invigorate the Allies in Europe and in the Pacific; nuclear weapons help end the war. A new global superpower takes the stage. | ||||
11 | "Superpower" | May 31, 2010 | N/A | |
America becomes a global superpower; technology fuels a boom in the economy and the population. American pioneers conquer new frontiers, from the jet age to the space age, and perceive a new threat: Communism. | ||||
12 | "Millennium" | May 31, 2010 | N/A | |
The Cold War is the first test for the new superpower. The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and the September 11 attacks are tragedies that challenge the nation. From the television to the credit card and the personal computer, technology drives America into the 21st Century. |
Commentators
The following are commentators who appear on the miniseries[10] (listed in alphabetical order):
- Buzz Aldrin – Former astronaut and second person to set foot on the Moon.
- David Baldacci – Bestselling American novelist.
- Tony Bennett – Singer.
- Michael Bloomberg – Former Mayor of New York City.
- William Bodette – Marine first sergeant.
- Anthony Bourdain – American chef and writer.
- Henry W. Brands – Historian and Professor of History at University of Texas at Austin.
- Tom Brokaw – Journalist and former anchor of NBC Nightly News.
- Albert Camarillo – History professor at Stanford University.
- Margaret Cho – Comedian, actress, and activist.
- Sean "Diddy" Combs – Record producer, rapper, actor, and men's fashion designer.
- Sheryl Crow – Singer-songwriter, musician, and actress.
- Michael Douglas – Actor and producer.
- Melissa Etheridge – Singer-songwriter.
- Henry Louis Gates Jr. – Harvard University professor.
- Newt Gingrich – Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
- Rudy Giuliani – Former Mayor of New York City.
- Annette Gordon-Reed – Pulitzer Prize-winning American historian and law professor.
- Tim Gunn – Creative director of Liz Claiborne and former mentor on Project Runway.
- Sean Hannity – American radio/television host and political commentator.
- Rick Harrison – Co-owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
- Bruce Jenner – American Olympic Gold Medalist and reality TV figure.
- Steven Berlin Johnson – American popular science author.
- David Kennedy – American historian.
- John Lasseter – American animator, former chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
- John Legend – Recording artist, musician, and actor.
- Richard Machowicz – Former Navy SEAL, weapons expert, and host of Future Weapons.
- Bill Maher – Political commentator and comedian, and the host of Real Time.
- Joseph Marinaccio – American business magnate, founder and CEO of Slam Content.
- Barack Obama – The then-President of the United States of America (introduces the series).
- Soledad O'Brien – American journalist and CNN figure.
- I. M. Pei – Chinese-born American architect.
- David Petraeus – United States Army general and Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
- Colin Powell – former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Al Sharpton – Baptist minister and civil rights activist.
- Richard Slotkin – Olin Professor of English and American studies at Wesleyan University.
- Richard Norton Smith – American historian and author specializing in US presidents.
- Martha Stewart – Business magnate, media figure, author, and magazine publisher.
- Michael Strahan – Former NFL football player and later media personality.
- Meryl Streep – Academy Award-winning actress.
- Donald Trump – Real estate tycoon, media figure, and later President of the United States.
- Jimmy Wales – Co-founder of Wikipedia.
- Vera Wang – American fashion designer.
- Brian Williams – Former anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News.
Reception
The documentary received a 60% approval rating from Metacritic.com. Many criticized the series for having too many "celebrities" express their opinions about the United States, rather than having historians provide more insight and data about particular periods and events.[11]
Critics praised the series' willingness to grapple with some of the difficult issues in US history, including African slavery, racial segregation and the genocide of the Native Americans.[12][13] Mary McNamara, of the Los Angeles Times, wrote that "'America: The Story of Us' seems to draw its inspiration from Fox's '24' and the E! Channel." She continues, "[I]n the first hour, producer Jane Root seems more enamored of her ability to conjure, in glorious CG, the lifecycle of a tobacco plant or the brick-by-brick construction of New Amsterdam than anything so dull as explaining the complexities of actual history."[14]
Critics generally commented that CGI effects were overused, as were clichéd soundbites and hyperbole that seemed intended to move the narrative along.[12][14] Tom Shales of The Washington Post found seven repetitions of the notion that "What happened next would change the course of US history forever" within the first episode, and remarked: "Maybe everything that happens changes the course of something. Or maybe nothing that happens changes the course of anything. Simply saying 'everything changed forever' is really a substitute for thinking, not an example of it, but then 'America: The Story of Us' is basically a poor excuse for a documentary—even if it succeeds on the superficial level of, say, a lava lamp."[12]
Surpassed by the series The Bible,[15] which garnered over 13 million viewers of its first episode,[16] America: The Story of US was watched by 5.7 million total viewers for its first episode and drew a 4.0 household rating.[17] In conjunction with the broadcast, the History channel launched its largest educational outreach initiative, offering a series DVD to every school and accredited college in the United States.
America: The Story of Us has been nominated for four Emmy Awards for the episode "Division", which traced the growing tensions between the North and South, as well as contrasts between plantation and urban economies. The nominations were in the categories for non-fiction programming of "Outstanding Cinematography", "Outstanding Picture Editing ", "Outstanding Sound Editing" and "Outstanding Writing".[18]
International edition
An Australian series based on the American series, titled Australia: The Story of Us, aired from February 25, 2015 on the Seven Network.[19]
A 10-episode Canadian series entitled Canada: The Story of Us, aired from March–May 2017 on the CBC.
References
- ^ "Nutopia | Humanity's Biggest Subjects". Nutopia.
- ^ "America The Story of the US". Retrieved July 18, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Shales, Tom (April 25, 2010). "Review of 'America: The Story of Us': TV miniseries has flash but not creativity". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
- ^ "America The Story of Us – About America The Story of Us". A&E Television Networks. 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ MacIntyre, April (May 12, 2009). "History announces 'America The Story of Us' 12 part series for 2010". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on 2010-05-01. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ a b Seidman, Robert (April 27, 2010). "Cable Top 25: NFL Draft, America The Story of US Top Weekly Cable Viewing". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ a b Seidman, Robert (May 4, 2010). "Cable Top 25: Lebron is the King (of Cable), Celtics vs. Cavs, WWE RAW, iCarly Top Weekly Cable Viewing". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
- ^ a b Seidman, Robert (May 11, 2010). "Sunday Cable: NBA, 'Army Wives' Tops With 18–49; 'The Pacific' Dives Below 2 Million". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
- ^ a b Gorman, Bill (May 25, 2010). "Sunday Cable: Lakers/Suns NBA Playoff, America: The Story Of US Tops With 18–49". TVbytheNumbers.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
- ^ "America: The Story of Us". IMDb.com. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
- ^ "Metacritic reviews". Archived from the original on February 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Tom Shales – Review of 'America: The Story of Us': TV miniseries has flash but not creativity". Washingtonpost.com. April 25, 2010. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
- ^ "America: The Story of Us : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". Dvdtalk.com. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
- ^ a b MARY McNAMARA (1993-02-27). "Television review: 'America: The Story of Us' summarizes hundreds of years in 12 hours". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (March 1, 2013). "'The Bible' Mini-Series on the History Channel – NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-03-11.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (March 4, 2013). "History's 'The Bible' is the Number 1 Cable Entertainment Telecast of the Year". TV by the Numbers. A+E press release. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- ^ Jason J. Hughes (April 29, 2010). "America: The Story Of Us Breaks Ratings Records". Television Blend. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
- ^ "America Story Of Us up for 4 Emmy Awards". Nutopia. July 12, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-11-04. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
- ^ Knox, David (9 February 2015). "Airdate: Australia: The Story of Us". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
External links
- America: The Story of Us at IMDb
- "Obama Introduces 'America The Story Of Us'"
- "'America: The Story of Us' breaks ratings records" Archived 2019-08-24 at the Wayback Machine, Cinema Blend
- Emmy Nominations