Huey P. Long

A Louisiana governor becomes a controversial political kingpin during the Depression.

Ken Burns' portrait of Louisiana governor and U.S. senator Huey Long.

Earl K. Long is the only sitting governor ever committed to a mental institution, not once, but twice. Long was far from the “crazy country bumpkin” some claimed him to be. He was a sharp, fearless politician and a champion of working-class Louisianans. His private life also made headlines, particularly his highly publicized affair with New Orleans burlesque star Blaze Starr.

The story of how the radical Huey P. Newton developed the Black Panther Party based on his 10-point program for social reform.

A hilarious, unorthodox look at the colorful, Byzantine political culture of Louisiana, home to Huey and Earl Long, David Duke, and Edwin Edwards, where politics is a long-running spectator sport. Winner of the duPont-Columbia Journalism Award.