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."
