CNN Promised to Make Chicago Mayor Look Good

The Chicago Tribune writes that if it seemed as though some scenes of CNN's documentary series "Chicagoland" were coordinated by Mayor Rahm Emanuel's City Hall and the show's producers, that's because they were.

More than 700 emails reviewed by the Tribune reveal that the production team worked hand in hand with the mayor's advisers to develop storylines, arrange specific camera shots and review news releases officially announcing the show.

Producers asked the mayor's office to help them set up key interactions in what the cable network has billed as a nonscripted eight-part series, including Emanuel's visits with the school principal who emerged as a star of the show, emails show. 

CNN has yet to comment on the Tribune's report, but it appears that this another black eye for CNN head Jeff Zucker.

Even worse news for CNN, Chicagoland was a ratings flop for the cable net. The show's season finale finale drew 325,000 total viewers — a series low — and 132,000 adults 25-54 in its 10 PM slot.

he show got trounced by both Fox News and MSNBC.