The Discovery Channel documentary/reality show "Red and Blue" was filmed last summer when a Topanga family–the Catteralls–and a Clinton, Louisiana family–the Cambres–changed homes and social circles for 10 days. In Topanga the Cambres were treated to a peace vigil, belly dancing lessons, dinner at the Inn of the Seventh Ray, a drama class at the Coyote Club, Topanga barbeques, and other events where political differences and human commonalities were engaged. Cameras followed each family for the 10 days documenting their experiences. A one- hour version of the show was aired in November and a two-hour version aired later.
The Topanga Democratic Club will air the two-hour version–88 minutes without commercials–on Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at Topanga Christian Fellowship, 269 Old Topanga Canyon Road. A $10 donation is requested and refreshments will be served. Copies of the show will also be available
Jacqueline Cutler of the Newark, New Jersey Star-Ledger wrote, "Gun ownership, smoking laws and the war are discussed in Discovery Channel's excellent political documentary, ‘Red and Blue.' The most intelligent of the swapping-lives reality genre, this special eases kids into thinking about politics."
Chicago Tribune writer Maureen Ryan described the show: "It doesn't unduly pump up the drama of the families' fish-out-of-water experiences; it just lets the small moments tell the story, which is such a relief. In ‘Red and Blue,' a liberal family, the Catteralls, who hail from ‘the heart of the beast,' a.k.a. the hippie enclave of Topanga, California, go to live in the small town in Louisiana that's home to the conservative Cambre family. The town has no red light, and the California dad brings his own supply of red wine." She goes on to say, "The show gets really interesting…." well, you'll just have to come and see for yourself.
For more information call Rebecca Catterall at (310) 455-2720.
