The 2016 presidential race has consumed the country for over a year—and our nominees have only just been selected. Last month we reported what several Viacom brands were doing to spread our universal goal of social justice and voter engagement through the pre-convention hype. Now, here’s a look at what a few of our brands did to represent these principles during the Democratic National Convention.
The Democratic National Convention. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Comedy Central: The Daily Show reacts to Hillary Clinton’s her-storic nomination.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah broadcast live from the DNC in Philadelphia beginning Tuesday, July 26 and ending Friday, July 29. Here’s how they celebrated the first major party female presidential nominee in U.S. history.
The Daily Show explores a new kind of political party…
During a more lighthearted spot, The Daily Show reported that Philadelphia changed their liquor laws to extend last call until 4 a.m. Not everybody in the city of Brotherly Love got to celebrate democracy over drinks—the special law was just for DNC delegates.
Wood Jr., interviewed delegates at Philadelphia hotspots. “I’ve got two extra beers,” exclaimed one nameless delegate. “Double up on the privilege,” responded Wood Jr., enthusiastically. The drunken delegate didn’t seem to catch on to his sarcasm, and raised a glass (or two) for a toast.
The Daily Show will continue keeping us updated with campaign commentary throughout the 2016 presidential election. Don’t miss new episodes weeknights at 11 p.m. on Comedy Central, and watch full episodes here.
BET: A round-table discussion tackles unity and diversity at the DNC
On Sunday, July 31, the network capped off the convention with a one-hour special hosted by BET News correspondents Marc Lamont Hill and Melissa Harris-Perry, along with Republican consultant Paris Dennard, and Democratic analyst Angela Rye.
The panelists debated whether or not the convention unified the Democratic Party after such a polarizing primary season. They also discussed the diverse convention, which included speakers such as the Mothers of the Movement—nine women who lost their children to acts of police brutality
Watch the panelists delve into the DNC drama in this clip.
“Black Girl Magic” prevails at the DNC
In a think-piece published by BET News, reporter Ernest Owens concluded that the convention may have been saved by the presence of valiant, shrewd black women—including the Mothers of the Movement and our first lady, Michelle Obama.
“In a time when the nation is ideologically divided between both political parties now more than ever,” wrote Owens, “It took a village of black women to remind us that true democracy can still win during this election cycle.”
Watch Michelle Obama’s full speech below.
BET kept its audience engaged during the DNC with the hashtag #BETxDNC. Visit BET News for more campaign coverage.
Spike: Alongside the action, Spike takes DNC attendees back in history to learn about a storied American icon.
During a special panel, Spike TV and POLITICO screened their documentary I AM JFK JR.
John F. Kennedy, Jr. grew up in the White House for the first three years of his life until his father’s assassination. He was a lawyer, journalist, magazine publisher, and a mainstay of New York’s social elite—until 1999, when he passed away in a plane crash.
Despite intense media scrutiny, not much is known about the man behind the legacy. But Spike’s intimate documentary explores the human side of JFK Jr., through the lens of interviews from Kennedy, Jr.’s close celebrity friends—including Robert De Niro, Cindy Crawford, and Mike Tyson.
After the screening, Spike held a panel discussion featuring CNN Contributing Editor Paul Begala, Director and Executive Producer of I AM JFK JR Derik Murray, and Executive Producer of I AM JFK JR Rosemarie Terenzio.