Here in full, the Barack Obama 30 minute informercial that screened across three national broadcast channels last night. It features the stories of four middle-class Americans and is almost entirely focused on the economic challenges that face the US. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, of ‘Inconvenient Truth’ fame, it uses a combination of a sentimental narratives and hard hitting political documentary.
Running an advert this long during prime viewing time is not without risks: accusations of hubris, boring the electorate, interfering with regular programming, amongst others. Overall, I think the programme was successful in its’ aim to show the electorate exactly who Barack Obama is and what he stands for.