Ep 171. Obama's Speechwriters; 'Blackbird'

In season 24, episode 171 of Charlie Rose, the show focuses on two topics - Obama's speechwriters and the film "Blackbird." In the first half of the episode, Charlie Rose interviews Jon Favreau, David Litt, and Cody Keenan, who all worked as speechwriters for former president Barack Obama. They discuss their experiences working in the White House and crafting speeches for the president on a variety of topics, including his famous eulogy for the victims of the Charleston shooting.

The speechwriters share insights into how they approached writing speeches for President Obama, who was known for his eloquence and powerful oratory skills. They reveal some behind-the-scenes moments from their time in the White House, including the process of writing and editing speeches, as well as the challenges of writing for a president who had such high expectations for his own speeches.

Later in the episode, Charlie Rose shifts the conversation to another topic - the film "Blackbird." He speaks with director Roger Michell and stars Susan Sarandon and Sam Neill about the movie, which tells the story of a terminally ill woman who gathers her family together for one last weekend before she chooses to end her own life.

The guests discuss the emotional weight of the film and the importance of starting a conversation about the right to die. They also talk about the challenges of creating such a complex and emotional story and how they approached the film's themes with sensitivity and respect.

Overall, this episode of Charlie Rose offers a fascinating look at both the world of political speechwriting and the art of filmmaking. With insightful interviews and thought-provoking discussions, it is sure to engage and enlighten viewers on these important topics.