GBH’s New Special “Deadlock” Encourages Civil Discourse About Ethical Dilemmas

Deadlock, a dynamic new one-hour special from GBH, airing and streaming nationwide on PBS, aims to facilitate civil dialogue in an era dominated by polarizing debates. Moderated by Aaron Tang, a professor at UC Davis School of Law, the series will feature a diverse panel of influential figures from legal, political, and cultural spheres delving into complex, ethical dilemmas based on real-life scenarios. A host will begin the hour, setting the tone and topic. The special will premiere nationwide on Friday, September 20, 2024, 9PM ET (check local listings) and stream on PBS.org, YouTube, and the PBS app.

Over the hour, Tang will skillfully navigate panelists through thought-provoking hypothetical situations designed to challenge their beliefs and prompt deep introspection.

“The current climate of American discourse finds us deeply entrenched and overconfident in our own beliefs,” said moderator Aaron Tang, Professor of Law at UC Davis. “Deadlock aims to illuminate how, for many of the difficult challenges facing our nation, the honest answers are nuanced and complex. Our goal is to spark open-mindedness and help people find the middle ground instead of retreating to our usual corners.”

Deadlock will explore fundamental topics about community and responsibility, triggering legal, moral, and ethical responses. As the hypothetical scenarios follow intricate twists and turns, panelists and viewers alike will find themselves asking the soul-searching question, “What would I do?”

“As viewers grow weary of ‘winner/loser’ debates, Deadlock offers a refreshing alternative,” said Executive Producer Andrew Lack, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Pulitzer Prize-winning non-profit Mississippi Today. “We hope it will humanize the conversation on important topics, explore areas of common ground, and facilitate a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.”

Deadlock will be filmed before a live audience on Saturday, September 7 at historic Federal Hall in New York City, the site of America’s first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive branch offices – an apt setting for a compelling exploration of a hypothetical scenario. To facilitate honest and unfiltered opinions, panelists will learn of the program’s featured topic shortly before each live taping.

“Deadlock will bring together participants with a diverse range of viewpoints,” said Executive Producer John Bredar, GBH VP of National Programming. “The goal is to help audiences connect on all sides of a topic and to further the heartfelt dialogue Americans are seeking.”

About Deadlock

Deadlock is a groundbreaking public affairs series that confronts leaders with hypothetical ethical scenarios. Hosted by Aaron Tang of UC Davis School of Law, the show aims to foster constructive dialogue and critical thinking amidst today’s societal challenges.

Deadlock is a co-production of GBH, Andrew Lack, and Room 608. Produced by Jonathan Halperin and Mark Mannucci. Executive Producers John Bredar, Laurie Donnelly, Andrew Lack, and Nina Weinstein. Moderated by Aaron Tang. Funding for Deadlock is provided by Rick Burnes and PBS Viewers.

About Aaron Tang

Aaron Tang is Professor of Law at the University of California, Davis, and former law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Tang writes frequently about the Supreme Court in popular media including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Slate, The Atlantic, USA Today, and elsewhere. He is the author of Supreme Hubris: How Overconfidence is Destroying the Court – and How We Can Fix It, published in August 2023 by Yale University Press.

About GBH

GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories, and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH produces digital and broadcast programming that engages, illuminates, and inspires, through drama and science, history, arts, culture, and journalism. It is the creator of signature programs as MASTERPIECE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, Arthur and Molly of Denali, as well as WORLD Channel and a catalog of streaming series, podcasts, and on-demand video. With studios and a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7, Boston’s Local NPR®; CRB Classical 99.5; and CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® station. Dedicated to making media accessible to and inclusive of our diverse culture, GBH is a pioneer in delivering media to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and visually impaired. GBH creates curriculum-based digital content for educators nationwide with PBS LearningMedia and has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital, and journalism awards. Find more information at www.wgbh.org