Election news is heavy on video clips. Go deeper with these 10 docs, series and specials

As a lifelong student of politics and a voracious consumer of media, I find myself deeply moved by the PBS docuseries “Citizen Nation.” The journey of these young students and their dedicated teachers is truly inspiring, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of civic engagement.

As Election Day approaches, social media platforms are brimming with videos from political rallies hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and ex-President Trump, along with their latest appearances on television shows and interviews with popular podcasters such as Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed the intense media campaign by both presidential candidates this year. They’re smartly using every platform to share their visions and messages, hoping to persuade voters. But are these strategies effective? According to Brian Stelter, CNN’s media analyst, video editors have become significant players in this election cycle. In the past, they played a crucial role, but this year, they seem more influential due to the surge of online media consumption. The rapid pace at which they create content makes it instantly relevant to our cultural discussions.

Case in point: The clip circulating of comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who made disparaging comments about Puerto Rico, calling it “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.” The Trump campaign has since distanced itself from his comments, but the Harris campaign was able to capitalize on the outcry, having just released an economic plan to help Puerto Rico alongside a video of Harris explaining it. The video was shared on the social media channels of Puerto Rican entertainers, including Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, who each have millions of followers.

Clips serve as valuable pieces in our informational arsenal, undeniably packing a punch. However, they may lean towards one side or lack comprehensive context due to the concise nature of social media platforms. Preliminary polls suggest that the upcoming presidential election will be closely contested. If you’re seeking more in-depth election information, there are numerous programs available to help you understand the facts or at least engage in informed debates about our current situation.

This resource offers information on documentaries, special programs, and series which can assist you in gaining deeper insights into the candidates, facilitate conversations with children regarding the election process, or provide some laughter amidst the political turmoil.

Two PBS documentaries about the candidates

Election news is heavy on video clips. Go deeper with these 10 docs, series and specials

Since 1988, the group responsible for PBS’s “Frontline” series has annually created a documentary titled “The Choice,” focusing on presidential candidates. This year, however, the production took an unexpected turn: President Biden withdrew from the race. Filmmakers Michael Kirk and Mike Wiser recently discussed with The Times their last-minute effort to create a film showcasing Harris alongside Trump instead. As Kirk stated, “What normally would have taken us four or five months we managed to accomplish in about nine weeks.

The result is “The Choice 2024: Harris vs. Trump,” a two-hour documentary available to stream now on PBS. It takes a look at both candidates by speaking to their friends and advisors, as well as critics, writers and political insiders. As a companion, the filmmakers also created a documentary about the vice presidential candidates, “The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz,” which similarly tells the stories of Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Discuss the election (and politics) with kids

Could children accurately guess who the upcoming president will be? Over time, Nickelodeon has come quite close to this prediction. The kid-focused channel is bringing back its “Kids Pick the President” special, which premiered on Monday and can be streamed on Nick.com, YouTube, Pluto TV, and Paramount+. Since the special began in 1988, it has correctly predicted the winner of the U.S. presidential election every year except for 2004 and 2016. In this year’s poll, Harris received 52% of the vote, while Trump garnered 48%.

For those of you who are older millennials like me, you might recall Linda Ellerbee as the host of these special programs aimed at children. She discussed matters that mattered to them seriously and presented diverse viewpoints from various backgrounds and political standpoints. In a similar vein, the 2024 special features tweens and teens representing a wide range of political opinions, with Nate Burleson, co-host of “CBS Mornings” and “The NFL Today,” moderating the discussion together with his daughter, Mia.

In this special program, the main focus was on economic matters – maybe indicative of how concerns about daily expenses are frequently at the forefront of family discussions. However, the conversation also delved into more troubling topics such as school shootings and mental health, with a child expressing, “Every day I’m at school, I worry, ‘What if there’s a shooting now?'” (It’s significant enough to warrant its own dedicated discussion.) The fact that children are engaging in discussions about school safety and other issues with such maturity serves as a powerful reminder of the importance for adults to truly listen to their perspectives.

The experiences we often encounter daily underscore the significance of our early years in shaping our comprehension of the American political system and our perspectives, a theme emphasized in PBS’ four-part series titled “Citizen Nation.” This documentary series features teenagers and educators from Wyoming, Nevada, and Virginia as they embark on the civics competition We the People. In this competition, students present testimony before mock congressional hearings with a panel of judges. However, the contest is merely one aspect of the narrative; we also delve into the personal histories of the teachers, students, and their families, revealing how these factors shape — or fail to impact, in certain instances — their views. The final episode airs on PBS stations on Tuesday and can be streamed in its entirety on PBS.org and the PBS app. The series shares similarities with both “Boys State” (2021 Oscar documentary shortlist) and “Girls State” (directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, available on Apple TV+), serving as compelling conversation starters for teenagers navigating political matters.

Laugh until election day

Shows like “The Daily Show” and “Last Week Tonight,” known for their satirical approach, have been shedding light on the twists and turns of the presidential election, all while providing laughter and critiquing candidates. John Oliver, on his HBO late-night series, continues to delve into matters that matter to voters, with recent topics including immigration, school lunch programs, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an episode about whom aired just a couple of weeks before he withdrew from the race.

And it’s hard to believe it’s been only eight months since Stewart made his once-a-week return to Comedy Central’s late-night show, which began by highlighting the age of the candidates — particularly Biden’s — something that he was roundly criticized for. Well, now we’re here with a new Democratic presidential candidate in Harris, with Tim Walz as her running mate, who Stewart recently interviewed about the campaign. The rest of the week, the show has rotated between Jordan Klepper, Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta and Dulcé Sloan as hosts, holding their own in interviews with politicians and experts. Klepper also leads a new special titled “Jordan Klepper Fingers The Pulse: Rally Together,” where he interviews Trump supporters. He’s joined by actor Thomas Lennon as Lt. Jim Dangle, his character from “Reno 911.”

The latest entry to the late-night scene is CNN’s “Have I Got News For You,” hosted by Roy Wood Jr., a “Daily Show” alum. It is a news quiz format that features comedians Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black as team captains who are joined by guest contestants, typically a politician or insider and a comedian — former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Larry Wilmore were the most recently on the show. The series, which airs on Saturdays and streams on Max, is starting to find its footing: For moments like the one that found Ruffin and Wood singing TLC’s “Unpretty” after joking about an edited photo of JD Vance that made his face look slimmer, it‘s worth adding to your queue.

2024-10-29 13:34

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