Original story by AP Wire, 3 May 2006
The White House Project is a US, nonpartisan, non-for-profit organization, aiming to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency. Last night Commander in Chief, represented by Geena and creator Rod Lurie, was honored by the organization, receiving the EPIC (Enhancing Perceptions In Culture) Award for “their contribution to the enhancement of the perception of women as leaders through pop culture”. Also honored was the production company behind the feature film “North Country”; Participant Productions.
To the strains of “Hail to the Chief,” actress Geena Davis accepted an award last night for her television portrayal of the first woman president of the United States from an organization which is seeking to turn fiction into reality. When she got to the podium, she was given a red, white and blue sash to put on over her gown, similar to one worn by Chile’s first woman president, Michelle Bachelet. “This is the coolest thing I ever got! Wow I love it!,” she said.
“So many countries have had a female head of state before us,” she told the 500 guests at a dinner in the U.N. Delegates Dining Room. “So it is certainly time. Every interviewer eventually says, ‘Do you think we will see a female president in our lifetime?‘ I think it‘s appalling that we haven‘t yet. The crime is not that it‘s taken so long, but why haven‘t we done it yet?” she said to loud applause from the predominantly female audience that included Martha Stewart and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
“Year in and year out there are real-life gains being made by women, but there is still a huge gender disparity,” she said. “It really shows up in my industry. For every president Allen, there are a hundred never-rans. There are fewer (women) victors than victims. There are fewer (women) leaders than followers, fewer women than men, and fewer girls than boys. But if elected to another season _ uh, term,” Davis joked, “whatever I can do to make change happen quicker in the fake world, I promise to do.”
CinC creator Rod Lurie also received an award, and called the question of whether the United States is ready for a female president “insulting.”
“Females represent 51 percent of the country and it‘s absurd that they‘re not represented in the highest level of power, and not even given that opportunity,” Lurie said. “There‘s a lot of firepower in the world, ladies and gentlemen. There‘s lots of it, but there‘s no weapon as powerful as an idea whose time has come.”
Marie Wilson, president of the White House Project, said the EPIC Awards acknowledge the power of media and popular culture, and she thanked Davis and Lurie “for bringing the concept of a female president to life, and doing it so well.”
If only the President we have, was as eloquent and intelligent as Geena Davis’ character, the world may be a better and safer place.
Thank you for the acting and the show. I am sorry ABC canceled it. May the awards and our comments are of some consolation.
CiC was short lived but I hope you will be doing more projects in the future.
I remain sincerely
Gdf.
Hey, I was there at the Epic awards. It was quite beautiful If I must say myself. Me and the group I am in filmed the Epic Awards…We also had an interview with Geena Davis. It thihnk she is just a great woman to be around and she is a postive role model. Also my two freinds Amelia and Hannah actually presented the award to Geena.
This weekend we actually talked to her at the Minneapolis Go Run Training in Chaska. Well, her and Marie had a kind of talk show converstation. We also filmed that.
You know I am just so mad that the show was cancelled I think a lot of people watched that show and it was excellent..
-Jasmin
What is the REAL reason ABC is pulling the show?!?!?!?!!!! I am highly upset. We finally some good programming on TV and it gets pulled so that programmers can replace it with more of mindly drivel that’s dumbing down America? How absurd! Geena Davis’ character on “Commander and Chief” has shown us what what we’re missing in the White House. She probably played the part so well Republicans are afraid it will impact the outcome of the next presidential election.
Geena, you are an excellent actress. I’m sorry the network pulled the rug out from under you and the rest of the marvelous cast.
I totally agree!
ABC need to be straight with the loyal fans of CIC and tell us the real reason show was taken off. They have far more shows with not have as much of audience as CIC and I do not see them pulling them of the air. This show was never really given a fair chance and that is a crying shame.
I am a Republican and I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! PLease rethink your decision to pull this show.
I totally agree
Geena you are a great actress. I enjoy each adventure I have been on with you, I look forward to many more. I really enjoyed CIC, anticipating each show. I do not know why the show was cancelled? I fugure it must have something to do with the king in the White House and all of his brothers in arms. They cancel your show to provide us with much greater show, several more seasons of ????? I cant wait to see what new adventure you bring to the screen next… Thank you. Mark
Mrs. Davis, I am only a 14 years of and a male, but the positive amount of impact that you have made for the world should not go unspoken. I am HIGHLY outraged that ABC would cancel a show like this! I think you should ask and opposing network to let you put “Commander In Chief” back on the air. Because as you know they have some amazing shows. One of them “House” which is a former co-star. If it is at all possible could you talk to FOX. Im highly dissapointed. ABC will lose a tremendous amount of viewers.
femfem
I agree with you that was the only decent show on ABC. I hope they loose a lot of audience and hope some other network is smart enough to pick up this wonderful show. Hats off to Geena for an excellent job
Geena, this was a blow…the only good show that we waited to see on Thursdays. We stayed home especially to watch. We liked it on Tuesdays also. I think it was the best since Dynasty. It was so realistic and so well written. Most shows have to have sex or vilolence to take over the show with such poor writers. Sorry! We will miss you. There are too many alternative life styles showing up to watch tv anymore. Guess we will go back to reading. Love it! Betty
BOYCOTT ABC AND THEIR ADVERTISERS. While going through the MDE program at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, CiC was one of two shows I had to squeeze in because it is so good.
My plan is to contact the people within my personal and professional networks and ask them to boycott ABC. Examples are: the alumni from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), countmein.org (Make Mine a Million aka M3), WLE (Women’s Leadership Exchange) and various regional organizations.
There is so much junk on TV and ABC pulled a show that I loved having my daughter watch because I knew the possibilities were unlimited with the message of CiC. I am reaching out to fellow fans to ask for your support in showing that CiC requires the attention that a boycott will generate.
Very respectfully,
Julie Fogg
To: Julie Fogg
Sign me up in your movement to BOYCOTT ABC.
Dumping CIC has all the earmarks of the notorious dirty
tricks that the GOP has long been famous for.
Aside from BOYCOTTING ABC- REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU GO TO VOTE !!!
We need free-thinking reasonable and INTELLIGENT leaders if we are to survive.
ghmeyer
Geena should go for the real presidency!!! Make life imitate art… with a MENSA IQ, I know she can pull it off and she certainly has the money to finance her campaign…
I totally agree, I would vote for Geena for president. Maybe Geena should think about running for president, after all actors /actresses can be president Ie..Ronald Reagan for example.. I think Geena should go for it , I think she would get it.. ABC is a big letdown in canceling this excellent program. I am boycotting them and not watching them at all.. unless they put CIC back on soon.
ghmeyer,
I am happy that CiC is back on the air. However, I agree with your comment and WILL keep these events in mind every time I vote.
Best regards,
Julie Fogg
Sign me up as a boycott fan of ABC I will not watch another show on ABC until they bring back this show. They did not even air the final three episodes which I think will probably be the best episodes. All Cic fans need to ban together and boycott ABC until they return CIC
Geena,
I am so dissappointed in ABC. I going to sell my stock and take the channel off of my TV and VCR. I felt that your portrayal of president was positive and hopeful in a time where there is little to positive and hopeful about. To replace you with 20/20 or PrimetimeLive or whatever drivel it was is insulting. Keep up the good work and know that your work on this show was important for many people out there
sw
Hey, I’m a guy and I’m p-o’d too. It was a great show. I thought it was a great one-two punch w/ Boston Legal.
Geena,
You, your cast, and your writers were performing a great service for this country. Showing us what it looks like to reach the kind of government we all aspire to. To have a CIC who does the right thing for the country. One who is not weighted down by favors owed or political debts. One who is not afraid to try things that have not been done before if she thinks it will work for the good of the many. One who is willing to dance with the Russian president.
I hope you find a venue and sponsors that have the courage to continue to show what is possible.
Let us know how we can help.
Evangelina
I agree with you and hope another smart network pick this show up. Didn’t ABC cancel Jag and then CBS picked it up and it was a hit for ten seasons. Maybe CBS might consider doing the same thing. Why don’t we email all the networks and see if one would pick this show up for the new season
Banishing ABC from your TV would be s step in the rigbt direction. Follow this with Boycotting ALL ABC advertisers.
Finally, VOTE in all elections for the kind of people who oppose politicians who use their power to crush shows like CIC and Public TV.
ghmeyer
DON’T CANCEL THE SHOW! It’s terrific, my favorite show! Geena Davis is a wonderful actress and a perfect president. President Bush can take lessons from President Allen.
Not just President Bush but lots of others leaders also in various positions
It makes me mad that they took CinC off the air. However I noticed that on the list of “Catch Geena on TV” only the US times have been cancelled. I wonder if the last episodes will be shown in the UK and Australia.
Perhaps the networks have it in for Geena since her comedy a few years ago didn’t last either.
I will miss the show and agree with all the other comments I’ve read.
I would not know 100% certain, being that this site here is only a fan driven site, but from what I know the episodes are already made - so why not show them? I would think it’s more of a “well, we’ve spent the money on this, let’s air it” - and not “oh, the Americans have cancelled it, so must we, then”. Know what I mean? (After all, the Brits are airing the Geena Davis show).
We deserve to see the last three episodes ABC at least owe the loyal CIC fans that. Let’s wait and see what happens on the 13th when they give their final decision about the show
Its been cancelled here in Australia as well. Unfortunately we did not get to see the whole series. Our last episode was when the Vice President resigned. So we didnt get to see any other episodes which followed (I would really like to see them so if anyone out there has a copy of them please let me know)
great show, too bad we keep trash on primetime versus good shows like commander in chief.
Yea that tell us a lot when a decent picture is taken off and we do not have enough of them. We are constantly bombarded with trash tv. Shame on ABC
I cannot believe ABC is taking the show off. ARE they CRAZYY!!n THis show is the best thing that has happened to primetime is a really long time they are so DUMB. GOd cant we do something about it. I LOVE that SHow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please at least show the remaining episodes and have them in the boxed DVD set to be released next October.
Put the show on the air for next fall, get rid of some of those stupid real life shows
Why Why Why is a show like CIC pulled. Why is the public so interested in reality TV. With West Wing going off the air ABC had a chance to pick up many loyal viewers. It was a win win situation. I think the muckie mucks at ABC my be worried this would give Hilary a chance in 2008. ABCs mistake is a real shame.
Commander in Chief was a powerful program. I admired Geena Davis and her part as the President at how she negotiated for her country and the people without loosing her cool. In our times today of uncertainty the show gave me confidence as a woman. Hats off to the writers for bringing a positive example to the American People!
CIC is the only show on TV that has me glued to my seat every week. Its a mistake to cancel it.
I’m from South Africa, & we saw the last episode of the 1st series last night. To me, this series is about values, and the world can’t afford not having decent shows like these in ‘ Prime Time “!
I am outraged to learn that this thoughtful and well acted show has been torn off of the air. I too agree that we should be e-mailing other broadcasters and encouraging them to pick up this well-loved series.
I am really infuriated with the canceling of “Commander In Chief”. I only watch 2 shows on television regularly, The above my favorite, and “Boston Legal” is is next on the chopping block. How can we bring this show back on the schedule?
I just watched Geena and the gang on her birthday episode, 6/7/06. This show is so needed, please tell me ABC or someone is going to put CIC back on the air.
I loved the show tonight, Geena is a wonderful actor. She brings us hope, courage and restores some American pride in all of us. She was able to show us the compassionate side of putting our Armed Forces in harms way, the thrill of victory, the very personal tragedy of loosing young men and women overseas, and for me how hard those decisions are.
I didn’t vote in the last presidential election, but I will in the next. It is very important to elect the right leaders.
Thank you for bringing this wonderful show to us, the writers, the actors, and the financial supporters. Again, please find a way to put this show back on the air.
I just watched the 6/14/06 show. Wow! I counted 7 different story lines and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Will Dickey really go over to Nathan’s side? Will the ERA pass? Madam President, Mackenzie Allen, is not going to campaign the old fashioned way, but do her job to the best of her ability. Will she get re-elected? Rebecca finally meets her texting friend and he works for Nathan. How will that affect her and her Mother? Jim has agreed to add his name to the VP list. Will he be the next VP? Kelly’s ex-husband is back in town and married. Will she resolve her issues and find love?
How exciting! Please someone get this show back on the air!
Wasn’t there also something in a earlier episode about grandma dating a married guy also? I heard that they might make a movie to answer all those questions.
I am totally shock just now revisiting this site again hoping to scan new updates about Geena Davis this is my first post but I have been always her fan since “The League of their Own” and I am so upset to know that “Commander in Chief” will be off the air? ? ? Oh my God, it really break my heart. I always watch that show and if I can’t or I like to go over it again I visit the http://www.abc.com just to watch all the episodes of “Commander in Chief” I felt so terrible. I think I have an idea why they take it off the Big Screen. The show is great and it is full of enlightenment and energy for women. It inspires us to be more than what we are, to be a woman is beauty and the “Commander in Chief” shows that. But in reality, some old folks don’t want this show to inspire women to excel on top of the hill. Somebody’s afraid that what we are watching in the show will make us expect or give us women ideas to exercise our “Being a Woman” in the real world. It is not true that the rating of the show went down, they’re a lot of us watching it. They just use that a reason. Anyway, just a solution. If we really like the “Commander in Chief” maybe back on air and continue it’s fantastic show. We as watchers who loves the show very dearly need to let the ABC and the World know how we feel about the Show and how we still want it on air. We e-mail the abc, fox and any other networks about our wanting the “Commander in Chief” be back on air. We can even e-mail our friends so they too can do the same and make a loud sound. Caught the attention of the world and become one in saying ” We stand and Watch the Commander in Chief” This supposedly a free world the show did not offend anyone some people are just afraid this show makes a loud estatement and it is starting to affect the real world. For me it is better, it help us strive to be much more better.
If we all come together we can make the “Commander in Chief” alive again or maybe making “them” know that we care and love the show. There’s a lot of free forums, blogs and free classified ads in the internet where we can post / type our thought and let the world know how we feel about this lost. There’s a lot of viewers and followers of the show that will be enlighten.
I am not raising a rebellion here I am just saying, Geena Davis makes us felt so unique as a woman, give us a wonderful entertainment and a sensible show. She portrayed a huge personality in the show. For me she inspires me, makes me feel good about myself after I watch the show. I always go crazy (excited, energetic and always intrigue every week, what’s new challenges/problems/troubles she faces/handle/solve) every episode. That is what I always feel about the show and I true am gonna miss that feeling for myself.
Hey everyone! Don’t forget to catch Geena on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on 6-22-06. The show airs at 12:05 am on ABC (so I guess it’s really early morning the next day). The website for the show is http://www.jimmykimmellive.net, and it has a link on it for tickets if you want to go to the taping. Check it out!
Geena,
As a gay man your show gave me and my partner tremendous hope and allowed us to escape to a better world for an hour every week.You are a fine actress.Don’t stand down Geena, we are right behind you!
If we had a Prsident so inteligent as Geena and Mac…
the world would be defitnely better!
People just nee to open their eyes and their mind! We don’t leave in a world lead by men anymore… the society is in completely enchaneged…
A Female President in nowadasy would be better for everyone around this globe!
Keep Commander In Chief on the air!!!
Best since West Wing!
I am very dissappointed at ABC for their decision t0 cancel CiC. THe show was excellent and gave me a reason to return to network television. Every episode gave me hope, just like the Ellen show did before ABC cancelled it in 1998. What a coincidence, ABC. Geena you are awesome!
It appears the real politicians got a hold of this dynamic show that offered hope and inspiration. You got my vote Geena! Many of us will go to battle for you.
Commander in Chief an absolutely excellent series.
What! ABC are cancelling it.
If they do a thing like that then the powers that be should immediately sack the Managing Director since he has no sense of loyality to the viewers.
It was excellent acting by ALL concerned and it was very much appreciated this side of the Atlantic (Sweden).
“Madam President” Thank you for the intrigue during the past few months and I hope to be seeing you “running another term” in the months ahead.
Of course if ABC does not continue this series then it goes to show all concerned what B’s they really are to the viewers. Right!
Good luck. Robert Munt.
I live in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and CiC just started showing here, we are glued to our screens and cannot wait for thursday at 22hoo. There were articles everywhere in magazines and newspapers about CiC and also a poll in this one daily newspaper. The poll was if readers would like to see a female president in the USA. 73% SAID YES!!! We love the show Geena!!!
You did an extraordinary job as mackenzie allen in commander in chief and for me you are the best actress in hollywood and very nice and very sweet.
I hope I can see you again on tv or in the movie very very soon
Take care……
Don´t be sad geena you have a lot of fans ( including me) and if ABC didn´t value your work that are their problem but we do
Geena is a perfect choise to president.
She is SO beautiful, best thing, she even look intelligent! Perfect! Thank you. 
T; Geena’s new fan.
[...] year, Geena, along with Rod Lurie, was the proud receiver of an EPIC Award for the contribution to the enhancement of the perception of women as leaders through pop culture, [...]