EV to Appear on History Channel

Fine reporting from Two Feet Thick:

The Boston Herald reports that Howard Zinn’s film “The People Speak” will air on U.S. cable TV channel The History Channel. Why do we care? Well first, Howard Zinn is a brilliant human…but the Pearl Jam connection is our man Ed Vedder who performed a musical number or three during the filmed performance. Fabulous actor David Straithairn (insert dreamy sigh from Kath here) is on a mini-college tour with Howard Zinn to screen the film, and here is the Boston Herald article:

“Good Night and Good Luck” star David Strathairn, (Boston University professor) Howard Zinn and Hollywood producer Chris Moore kicked off a college tour for their star-studded documentary “The People Speak” at Boston University last night.Executive produced by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Anthony Arnove, Moore and Zinn, the film features dramatic readings by a galaxy of Hollywood stars and a lefty look at the history of this country.

“I like to be involved in material that means something to me and my time,” Strathairn said. “And this is a project that means a lot to a long period of time and gives a voice to those who you wouldn’t necessarily hear.”

Strathairn, Damon, Brolin, Viggo Mortensen, Kerry Washington, Marisa Tomei, Don Cheadle, Jasmine Guy, Michael Ely and more came to Boston in 2008 to film the documentary, based on Zinn’s acclaimed “A People’s History of the United States.” Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder and John Legend contributed musical performances. The flick will air Dec. 13 on the History Channel .

The History Channel People Speak site can be found here, and here is the direct link to the channel’s ad about it (Ed has a line or two!).

Moore said he had been attempting to make a flick from “A People’s History” since getting Zinn’s book from his pals Damon and Ben Affleck back in 1997.

Strathairn said he doesn’t believe the documentary will cement the impression that Tinseltown is lousy with left-wingers.

“In my opinion, Hollywood embraces the commercial side which this isn’t,” he said. “It’s completely the opposite.”