The Icons That Built America

Like many of the History shows on titans, brands, products and now icons, characters are typically seen clutching a glass of hard liquor as they conduct business, contemplate ideas or close a deal. This is not only historically inaccurate, it's lazy, cliche/ ridden writing and may in fact reflect that the filmmakers are the real ones with drinking issues C'mon show runners, please quit leaning on the Madmen stereotype.

On the other hand, in the Evel Knievel pilot, one could argue the boozerama is appropriate. Knievel was no stranger to chemical dependency, eventually becoming addicted to pain killers to treat his many injuries. There's not a re-enactment scene in this hour that he doesn't have a drink in his hand. But is it necessary to also have the executives he meets with also cradled a glass of scotch or bourbon?