'Ted Turner: A Journey Through Life and Career'
As Ted Turner approaches his 86th birthday, his impactful legacy is being commemorated through a fresh docuseries. "Call Me Ted" delves into the life of the media magnate across six episodes, covering his formative years, the inception of his cable enterprises and CNN, and his subsequent endeavors in philanthropy.
On Tuesday evening, an audience assembled at the Atlanta History Center for an exclusive preview. Among the distinguished guests were civil rights luminary and former UN Ambassador Andrew Young, as well as CNN's chairman and CEO, Mark Thompson.
David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, which now holds ownership of the networks Turner established, led the attendees in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Turner. He made a brief appearance via Zoom, accompanied by members of his family.
In his address, Zaslav lauded Turner as "a figure to whom many of us, if not all in this industry, owe our careers." He reminisced about Turner's visionary aim to unite the globe, highlighting CNN's groundbreaking 24-hour coverage of the 1991 Gulf War, a first in the realm of news broadcasting.
"He truly transformed the world," Zaslav remarked. "He altered the trajectories of countless individuals who joined him on this remarkable journey in the cable and media sphere."
Crafted and directed by Keith Clarke, with production by Joni Levin, "Call Me Ted" is a cinematic exploration of Turner's life.
Levin shared with the audience how she realized, seven years prior, the absence of a thorough exploration of Turner's life and contributions. She, too, extolled Turner’s virtues and expressed gratitude for "having faith in me and trusting me to narrate his tale."
"This narrative is a lesson for all of us," she articulated, "for Ted consistently believed that we, the citizens of the globe, the spectators in the stands, could shift the dynamics of any game—be it climate, environmental preservation, nuclear issues, or the safeguarding of democracy—as he has done and continues to do."
Clarke, visibly moved, spoke of Turner and referenced Andra Day's song "Rise Up," featured in the series.
"The concluding lines are 'Yes, we’ll rise up in spite of the ache/We’ll rise/And we’ll do it a thousand times again/We’ll rise up,'" Clarke stated. "That embodies Ted Turner—a phoenix. He emerges anew, inspiring us daily."
Turner disclosed in 2018 his battle with Lewy body dementia and currently resides on his Montana ranch.
The event also saw the presence of legendary broadcaster and civil rights advocate Xernona Clayton. She commended Turner, who in the 1980s appointed her as the first Black female corporate executive at TBS, assigning her the roles of director and vice president of public affairs.
Reflecting on Turner's support when she founded the Trumpet Awards in 1993, which he broadcasted on TBS, Clayton remarked, "I adore him. He was always there for those in need, and he was candid with his responses. When approached with inquiries, he would offer a truthful reply, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear."
Viewers of the docuseries will witness Turner's candidness, as he not only serves as the focal point but also lends his voice as a narrator. His children and actress Jane Fonda, Turner's former spouse, also make appearances.
The series premieres Wednesday on Max, which, along with CNN, is part of Warner Bros. Discovery.
