World Broadcast Premiere of New KCET Documentary ‘THE FIRST ANGRY MAN’ Targets America’s Enduring Tax Revolt
CONTACT Chelsea Grosbeck
cgrosbeck@pbssocal.org
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A Critical Look Into Howard Jarvis’ “Anti-Government Crusade” that Put America on the Path Toward Historic Economic Inequality
Pictured from left to right: Images from THE FIRST ANGRY MAN Former Gov. of California Gray Davis, Politician Howard Jarvis and Former Speaker of the California State Assembly Willie Brown (Images courtesy of KCET).
Burbank, Calif. – September 16, 2020 – KCET, Southern California’s home for award-winning public media programming, announced today the Southern California premiere of the film THE FIRST ANGRY MAN. A new documentary by award-winning filmmakers Jason Cohn and Camille Servan-Schreiber and narrated by Pamela Adlon (Better Things King of the Hill), recounts Howard Jarvis’ 1978 tax-slashing ballot initiative, Proposition 13, that promised to end big government in California. The documentary unpacks the dramatic campaign that led to the collapse of great public ambitions of postwar America and launched an enduring nationwide tax revolt that continues today. The broadcast world premiere of THE FIRST ANGRY MAN premieres in Southern California on Tues., Oct. 13 at 8:00 p.m. on KCET and encores on Thurs., Oct. 15 at 8:00 p.m. PT on PBS SoCal, as well as Sun., Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV nationwide (Dish Network 9410 and DirecTV 375). As well as additional airdates on KQED the following Fri., Oct. 16 at 8:00 p.m. PT. In the 40 years since Prop. 13, the nation has witnessed a historic growth in economic inequality. THE FIRST ANGRY MAN outlines the historical context of a nation’s aversion to taxation and government --including the racial and demographic changes that spurred it— and the consequences for schools, health services, public safety and public infrastructure. Archival footage and first-hand accounts to the events feature interviews with notables that include former Governor of California Gray Davis, Author, Columbia University Professor, American economist and Nobel Memorial Prize recipient Joseph Stiglitz as well as American political activist, tax reduction advocate and founder/president of Americans for Tax Reform Grover Norquist.
The documentary THE FIRST ANGRY MAN is part of a programming lineup focused on this election cycle, where PBS SoCal and KCET explore the past, present and future of democracy. KCET and PBS SoCal are committed to bringing viewers a broad array of initiatives as part of a “VOTE 2020” campaign. With both national and locally-produced programming, online content (including the always popular “Props in a Minute”) and virtual local events focused on this election cycle. Programming includes NewsHour's unbiased coverage of the conventions and the debates, FRONTLINE's investigative reports on the candidates and Washington Week's analysis, as well as all-new KCET Original documentaries that spotlight California's changing population, values and social movements. Local election coverage both on-air and online deciphers the issues that viewers will find on the ballot and how they will impact the city and state. Finally, a partnership has been formed this year with the nonpartisan organization I Am A Voter to highlight the civic responsibility of voting. For more election-related content and news articles go to kcet.org/vote2020 and pbssocal.org/vote2020
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ABOUT KCET KCET is on-air, online and in the community, and plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 54-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon and Roku platforms. For more information please visit kcet.org/apps.