How Caroline Kennedy, Maria Shriver Helped Kill 'Kennedys' Miniseries

Pressure from the Kennedy family played a big role in History's decision to yank the mini from its schedule, as first reported by THR.

(The Hollywood Reporter) - Pressure from the Kennedy family played a key role in the History channel's decision to pull the plug on its controversial miniseries 'The Kennedys'.

As 'The Hollywood Reporter' first reported, the eight-part miniseries, starring Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes and masterminded by conservative 24 co-creator Joel Surnow, was abruptly yanked from the History schedule Jan. 7 before a planned airdate in the spring. In a statement to 'THR', a rep for History parent A&E Television Networks said that "after viewing the final product in its totality, we have concluded this dramatic interpretation is not a fit for the History brand."

None of History's advertisers or sponsors complained about the miniseries. But behind the scenes, members of the Kennedy family strongly lobbied AETN to kill the project since it was announced in December 2009, according to a source close to the situation. In recent weeks, those efforts intensified.