Amerika (TV miniseries)
"Amerika" is a seven-part television miniseries that aired on ABC in the spring of 1987. Set in a dystopian 1997, the narrative unfolds ten years after a peaceful Soviet takeover of the United States. The miniseries generated significant controversy during its production, particularly due to threats of censorship from the Soviet government, which sought to limit the portrayal of its influence in the U.S. This led to debates about freedom of speech in America when the situation became public.
In addition, the United Nations expressed concerns over the series’ depiction of its peacekeeping forces and the use of recognizable U.N. symbols, resulting in ABC agreeing to include disclaimers while retaining those symbols. The show faced backlash from both conservative and liberal groups; conservatives criticized its portrayal of American apathy and the sympathetic depiction of Soviet characters, while liberals denounced it as a manifestation of "red-scare paranoia." Amidst this controversy, sponsorship challenges arose, including the Chrysler Corporation withdrawing advertisements before the show aired. "Amerika" remains a notable example of media's role in reflecting and influencing political sentiments during the Cold War era.
Amerika (TV miniseries)
Type of work: Television miniseries
Broadcast: February 15-22, 1987
Writer and director: Donald Wrye
Subject matter: A fictional look at the lives of ordinary Americans ten years after the Soviet Union occupies the United States
Significance: Airing during the last years of the Cold War, this production drew strong protests from the Soviet Union, the United Nations, and both the Left and the Right
This seven-part miniseries aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the spring of 1987. The drama was set in 1997, ten years after a bloodless Soviet takeover of the United States.
The miniseries faced a barrage of potential censorship starting with the government of the Soviet Union in late 1985. The ABC News Desk in Moscow was implicitly threatened with denial of access if the production continued. When publicly revealed in the United States, this threat was condemned by daily newspapers as a violation of freedom of speech. Later, the Soviets reversed their position and eventually bargained with ABC for rights to air Amerika in their own country.
The United Nations was disturbed by the series’ portrayal of its peacekeeping forces and the use of recognizable portions of U.N. symbols. In the fall of 1986 the United Nations sent a list of requests to the network, including free air time to promote their organization. ABC agreed to air disclaimers during the show but retained the use of the symbols.
Citizen groups aimed letter writing campaigns threatening boycotts at sponsors; shortly before Amerika aired, Chrysler Corporation withdrew about seven million dollars in advertisements. Conservatives denounced the miniseries because it portrayed Americans as apathetic and the Soviets as too sympathetic. Liberals protested the show as “red-scare paranoia.” In response, some ABC affiliates allowed critics air time after the broadcast to offer opposing views.