President Bush, "The Today Show" co-anchor Katie Couric and a bevy of Hollywood stars will participate in the upcoming public TV series "Freedom: A History of US." The 16-part series, which will air in January, is based on the controversial textbooks written by amateur historian Joy Hakim. Published by Oxford University Press in the mid-'90s, the 10-book series reportedly sold more than 800,000 copies, but drew the ire of conservatives for the author's polemical take on Ronald Reagan. Using archival film, artwork and rare photographs, "Freedom" will feature actors such as Julia Roberts, Anthony Hopkins, Angela Bassett, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams reading from personal historical accounts. President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will give "Freedom" a hand with an on-air introduction when it bows. The show is being produced by New York's Thirteen/WNET and Kunhardt Prods.
Bureau Report