Chicagoland (TV series)
A documentary series on Chicago's efforts to unite.
A documentary series, Chicagoland debuted its pilot at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2014. CNN aired eight weekly episodes from March 6 to April 24, 2014. Robert Redford and Laura Michalchyshyn served as executive producers, with Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin as creators. Production assistance came from the office of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Quick Facts
- Creator
- Mark Benjamin; Marc Levin
- Narrator
- Mark Konkol
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Network
- CNN
- First aired
- 6 March 2014
- Last aired
- 24 April 2014
- Seasons
- 1
Facts from the source article.
Background
Chicagoland was part of CNN President Jeff Zucker's strategy to reduce the network's reliance on the unpredictable 24-hour news cycle by introducing documentary series to attract viewers during slow news periods. The show was executively produced by Robert Redford and created by filmmakers Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, who had previously made the similarly themed Brick City about Newark, New Jersey. Mark Konkol narrated the series, which CNN described as a riveting, real-life drama of a city seeking unity at a critical moment in its history.
Production
Three camera crews filmed over 1000 hours of footage over eight months in 2013. Principal subjects included Mayor Rahm Emanuel, South Side high school principal Elizabeth Dozier, and Chicago Police Department superintendent Garry McCarthy. The Chicago Tribune obtained over 700 e-mails between Emanuel, Benjamin, Levin, and CNN; CNN stated the mayor's office had no editorial control or approval over content or promotional material. A Chicago Tribune reporter characterized the emails as showing normal scheduling and schmoozing. Benjamin and Levin, clients of William Morris Endeavor, requested that agency not represent them on this production to avoid a conflict of interest because WME co-CEO Ari Emanuel is Rahm's brother.
Reception
Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times called the show commendable with compelling characters. Allison Keene of The Hollywood Reporter noted both positive and negative elements but generally approved, though she felt later episodes did not match the premiere. Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times found Mayor Emanuel's energy entertaining and charming before the right audience, and principal Dozier compelling. Brian Lowry of Variety questioned the show's worth as a constructive use of time. Crain's ChicagoBusiness described it as often disturbing yet hope-inspiring. Tim Molloy of The Wrap said Chicagoland was good but did not compare to Brick City. Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune, reviewing near the series' end, considered it contrived. Viewership dropped 48% over the eight-week run.
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