BREAKING THE DEADLOCK, a dynamic new series from GBH airing and streaming nationwide on PBS, is releasing a new episode focused on the topic of executive power in government. Designed to encourage civil dialogue, the series brings together a diverse panel of prominent voices from the legal, political and cultural arenas to explore ethical dilemmas. Moderated by Aaron Tang, professor at UC Davis School of Law, the latest episode, entitled BREAKING THE DEADLOCK: A Power Play will premiere nationwide on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) and stream on PBS.org, YouTube and the PBS app.
BREAKING THE DEADLOCK: A Power Play is a fast-paced one-hour journey where moderator Aaron Tang guides panel participants through complex hypothetical scenarios around the use of executive power by a pair of fictional U.S. Presidents from opposite parties. The program is introduced by journalist Katie Couric.
A politically diverse group of panelists was chosen to take part in the program, ensuring the topic would be explored from every possible perspective. The panel features Dr. Dave Brat, senior vice president of business relations at Liberty University and former U.S. representative from Virginia; Chris Christie, former New Jersey governor and managing partner at Christie 55 Solutions LLC; Hon. Allyson K. Duncan, retired U.S. circuit judge; Rep. Dan Goldman, U.S. representative from New York and former assistant U.S. attorney; Alberto R. Gonzales, former U.S. attorney general and dean of Belmont University College of Law; Sarah Isgur, senior editor at "The Dispatch" and co-host of the “Advisory Opinions” legal podcast; Scott Jennings, senior political contributor for CNN and partner at RunSwitch Public Relations; Tim Ryan, former US Representative and senior adviser for the Progressive Policy Institute’s Campaign for Working Americans; Roger Severino, vice president of domestic policy at The Heritage Foundation; Marc Short, former White House legislative affairs director under President Donald Trump; Lesley Stahl, correspondent for CBS’s “60 Minutes;”and Jon Tester, former U.S. senator and farmer.
The pilot episode, DEADLOCK: An Election Story, premiered on September 20, 2024, and is currently available to stream on PBS.org. The episode was recently honored with a nomination for the 46th Annual News and Documentary Emmy® Awards, in the category of Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis, as announced by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Additional episodes are in development and slated to launch this year.
"BREAKING THE DEADLOCK brings together people from across the political spectrum in a way that requires them to go beyond the usual talking points and speak to our core values as Americans,” said moderator Aaron Tang. “By using hypothetical scenarios that rhyme with reality, we create space for honest introspection and conversation—and even some surprising breakthroughs.”
Each episode of BREAKING THE DEADLOCK dives into essential questions of community, accountability and personal responsibility, sparking legal, moral and ethical reflections. As each hypothetical scenario unfolds with unexpected twists, both panelists and viewers are challenged to confront the thought-provoking question: “What would I do?”
“There’s nothing else like this on American television right now,” said Executive Producer Andrew Lack, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Pulitzer Prize-winning non-profit Mississippi Today. “BREAKING THE DEADLOCK examines today’s most pressing topics not with division, but with an open door to real dialogue. At a time when media is searching for ways to bring differing sides together, our panelists are doing more than just talking—they’re truly listening. This show is living proof that civil, respectful conversation is possible.”
BREAKING THE DEADLOCK was filmed before a live audience on Monday, April 14 at the New York Historical in New York City.
“What makes BREAKING THE DEADLOCK so compelling is the sheer unpredictability,” said Executive Producer John Bredar, GBH VP of National Programming. “Our panelists walk in knowing only the topic. They don’t know where the scenario will lead, they don’t know who else will be at the table, and yet they show up, willingly and often skeptically. The conversation unfolds in real time, in front of a live audience, and that leap of faith creates something raw, honest, and unlike anything else on television.”
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