Sens. Kick HBO’s K Street to the Curb

When Home Box Office’s ambitious political series, K Street, bows this
Sunday, it will not feature the halls of Congress as a backdrop thanks to
several prominent U.S. senators who filibustered the pay network’s plan to tape
inside the Capitol.

The George Clooney-produced vehicle -- which combines fictional political
consultants with real and current political bigwigs and issues -- had planned
beginning this week to tape each weekly show on location in and around the
Capitol building.

However, several congressmen -- including Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration chairman Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Select Committee on Ethics vice
chairman Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) -- squashed HBO’s plans, citing exiting policy
that says the space may not be used for "any … commercial, promotional or
profit-making" purpose.

"It is the position of the Select Committee on Ethics and the Committee on
Rules and Administration that the use of Senate and Capitol space for the
filming of K Street is strictly prohibited by … Senate policy," stated
the letter, also signed by Select Committee on Ethics chairman George Voinovich
(R-Ohio) and ranking committee member on Rules and Administration Christopher
Dodd (D-Conn.).

Undaunted, an HBO spokesman said K Street will debut this Sunday as
planned, and any necessary politician interviews will be conducted
"elsewhere."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.