Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes) Ken Burns
Nov 5, 2025
Renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joins Ted Danson for an engaging discussion. They explore how history informs our present, emphasizing the complexity of the American Revolution and the importance of including diverse voices. Ken shares his passionate views on the Declaration of Independence and advocates for public broadcasting's role in civic life. With personal anecdotes about ancestry and loss, he reflects on storytelling's power to connect us across generations. Expect rich insights and a call for compassion in today’s society.
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Discovering A Loyalist Relative
- Ken Burns discovered a Loyalist ancestor, Eldad Tupper, who moved to New Brunswick rather than swear an oath.
- That revelation complicated his genealogical pride but deepened his historical perspective.
Pursuit Of Happiness As Civic Education
- Jefferson's phrase 'pursuit of happiness' meant lifelong learning and civic virtue, not material gain.
- The Revolution aimed to replace subjects with citizens requiring education and virtue.
Revolution Was A Civil War
- The American Revolution was a violent civil war with neighbors on opposite sides, including loyalists and patriots.
- Recognizing that complexity helps us resist sentimental, sanitized national myths.
