Who Killed The Kennedys? Caroline, Maria Shriver

The cousins lobbied strongly for its demise, sources say
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 10, 2011 8:39 AM CST
Who Killed The Kennedys ? Caroline, Maria Shriver
In this July 19, 1986, file photo, bride Caroline Kennedy, right, chats with her cousin and matron of honor, Maria Shriver, center, during her wedding in Centerville, Mass., July 19, 1986.   (AP Photo)

The Kennedys themselves were behind the History Channel’s eleventh-hour yanking of The Kennedys, sources tell the Hollywood Reporter. No advertisers or sponsors complained about the controversial miniseries, which was called "vindictive" and "malicious" by a former JFK aide, but both Caroline Kennedy and Maria Shriver have close ties to A&E Television Networks (AETN) and lobbied for the project to be killed.

AETN is owned by, among other companies, the Walt Disney Co. and NBC Universal. Kennedy has a book deal with Disney’s publishing division—she'll be editing and promoting a collection of never-before released interviews with Jackie Kennedy—and would likely not have cooperated to that level had The Kennedys aired, notes the Reporter. Shriver, meanwhile, worked for NBC Universal for years, and reportedly complained to former execs Jeff Zucker and Jeff Gaspin. The miniseries will likely live on regardless of their efforts; producers are currently looking at Showtime as an alternate network.
(More The Kennedys stories.)

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