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This week:

A director letter and an LBJ screening, all exclusive to Keep Watching.

Plus, reflecting on Anthony Bourdain's legacy.

Exclusive letter from the director of LBJ: Triumph & Tragedy

"Love him or hate him, we all live in LBJ’s America," writes Pat Kondelis, director of the new CNN Original Series LBJ: Triumph & Tragedy. The series takes viewers inside the LBJ White House with dramatic first-hand accounts from the last surviving members of LBJ’s inner circle, never-before-broadcast archival material and LBJ’s own voice from secretly recorded audio tapes.

We asked Kondelis to give us some insight into what it took to craft the series and why it's so important to take a closer look at one of the most consequential presidents in US history. Here's what he said: 

Few people throughout history have made an impact so great they are simply known by an acronym. Such is the case for LBJ.

We jumped at the chance to make a documentary about a historical figure that looms as large and polarizing as LBJ. My team and I did exhaustive research and discovered many surprises.

We were incredibly lucky that LBJ recorded so many of his conversations while in office. This allowed us to put LBJ’s voice front and center throughout the documentary, allowing the audience to essentially experience LBJ’s strategies and thought process on some of the most significant pieces of legislation in America’s history.

In addition to the trove of wonderful archival material we were able to source, we sought first hand accounts from the people who worked with LBJ, as well as against him. The fact that so many people agreed to be interviewed on camera in the summer of 2020, before a vaccine was available, is a testament to how consequential LBJ’s presidency is.

My team and I took extreme measures to make sure the cinematic visuals driven by interviews, oral histories, and archival, were historically accurate. My hope is that this combination of elements will serve to pull the audience deeper into the story and allow for a discussion on not only LBJ as a figure, but the legislation he worked to pass, and the war that is forever linked to him.

It has been my profound honor to capture such significant stories directly from the individuals who were present to, and who helped shape this momentous history. I learned a tremendous amount while making this documentary. Love him or hate him, we all live in LBJ’s America.

I hope this documentary introduces the audience to an LBJ they haven’t met before, while providing the much needed context to experience a vivid picture of LBJ I believe is yet unseen.

LBJ: Triumph & Tragedy will air on Sunday, February 20, and Monday, February 21, with back-to-back episodes at 9 and 10 p.m. ET.

Join us for a Keep Watching exclusive event

If you want to hear more from Pat Kondelis about LBJ's time in office, RSVP to join us on Wednesday, February 16, at 7 p.m. ET for a virtual screening in partnership with the LBJ Presidential Library.

You'll get the exclusive chance to watch the LBJ: Triumph & Tragedy episode "The Great Society" before its TV premiere. Then, stick around after the screening for the opportunity to submit your questions to a live panel moderated by CNN anchor and Senior Political Correspondent Abby Phillip.

The panel will include: 

• Pat Kondelis, Director and Executive Producer of LBJ: Triumph & Tragedy

• Bill Moyers, LBJ White House press secretary

• Mark Updegrove, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation 
• Melody Barnes, Executive Director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia

We want to hear from you: What's your favorite Parts Unknown episode?

The new CNN Film Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain takes a look at the complex life and extensive legacy of the late Anthony Bourdain through conversations with his friends and family. As we approach the CNN premiere of the documentary on March 6, we want to take a moment to reflect on Bourdain's impact on all of us.

It's nearly impossible to remember Bourdain without discussing one of his biggest legacies here at CNN: Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. The series took us around the world and exposed us to people and cultures that we might never have learned about otherwise, all under the expert guidance of Bourdain.

We want to highlight some of the best Parts Unknown episodes, but with 12 seasons there are just too many essential episodes to choose from, so, we want to hear from you! Send us an email with some of your favorite Parts Unknown episodes and why you love them, and we'll compile them just for Keep Watching. 

As some inspiration, you can see here what Bourdain himself listed as his favorite episodes when asked in April 2015. You can stream all 12 seasons of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown right now on HBO Max.