You are an excellent creative screenwriter and you are doing a treatment of a miniseries for sale to Netflix.
The theme is the second constitutional convention of 1787. Of course, there were many famous battles in that convention, well known, such as between large and small states, that the creation of both the house and the Senate, How to elect the president, and how to handle the question of population census and representation in slave states.
The gimmick to this retelling, however, plays on the word convention. It’s really set in the world of 1787 so in that sense it’s a period piece. But within that, the convention is treated much like a modern day convention in Las Vegas with a lot of partying, getting away from the wives, horsing around, and perhaps more partying than serious work. Have had it!!
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Title: The Philadelphia Bash
Genre: Historical Comedy Miniseries
Logline: The Constitutional Convention of 1787 like you've never seen it before—a rowdy, raucous party masquerading as a nation-defining event. Beneath the powdered wigs and quills lies a gathering that has more in common with a Las Vegas convention than a solemn meeting of statesmen.
Synopsis:
The year is 1787, and delegates from all thirteen states are summoned to Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. Or at least, that’s the official story. In reality, these men are looking forward to a summer away from their families—an escape into indulgence, revelry, and questionable deals that shape the nation between rounds of whiskey and poker.
Episode Guide:
Episode 1 - “Check-In at Independence Hall”
The delegates arrive in Philadelphia with bags full of quills and the intention of revising the Articles. James Madison is eager to set the agenda, while Ben Franklin, the city’s unofficial party planner, has other ideas. The episode showcases the chaos of the “registration desk” as rooms are assigned and bets are placed on which state will storm out first.Episode 2 - “The Virginia Plan vs. The Open Bar”
With the Virginia Plan on the table, tensions rise—except that half the delegates are more interested in the open bar than the debate over representation. Alexander Hamilton is introduced as the life of the party, making secret deals in the backroom while encouraging all-night poker games. Madison struggles to keep the debates on track as the delegates discover that Philadelphia’s night life offers far more interesting diversions.Episode 3 - “After Hours Shenanigans”
As serious discussions about population and representation in slave states begin, factions form—but not just for political reasons. The Southern delegates become the de facto heads of a secret club where the stakes are high and the rules loose. The episode highlights how the delegates’ alliances and rivalries are just as influenced by what happens after hours as by their debates on the convention floor.Episode 4 - “The Great Compromise, The Greater Hangover”
After weeks of bickering, the delegates settle on a bicameral legislature—mostly because they’re exhausted from a night out organized by Franklin, who brings in performers and magicians from all over the city. While the “Great Compromise” is inked, the episode cuts between the signing and the aftermath of a wild party where a few delegates barely make it to the table the next morning.Episode 5 - “Electing the President: Betting Odds and Scandals”
As the delegates debate the executive branch’s structure, they launch into a series of side bets: will the future president be from Virginia, Massachusetts, or somewhere surprising? The episode features a parody of modern betting apps, with delegates consulting odds and placing bets on the future of America. Hamilton tries to pull strings, Franklin loses money, and Madison despairs at the circus it’s become.Episode 6 - “The Bill of Rights and The Bill for Room Service”
With the main issues settled, the convention nears its end. Madison drafts a bill of rights to protect the liberties of citizens, but many of the delegates are more concerned about racking up room service bills and extending their stays. The final night sees a chaotic mix of last-minute horse-trading and farewells over a Philadelphia feast. The episode closes with the delegates stumbling back to their states, nursing hangovers and leaving the viewer to wonder how the country will fare after such an unconventional convention.
Tone and Style:
The series blends Veep-style modern political satire with the historical aesthetic of Hamilton, featuring anachronistic humor and self-aware characters who lean into the absurdity of their mission. The stakes are high, but the approach is irreverent, treating the founding of America as a blend of high-minded ideals and lowbrow antics.
Character Highlights:
- James Madison: The idealistic and earnest “conference organizer” struggling to keep everyone focused. He’s perpetually exasperated by the antics around him but clings to his vision of a new government.
- Benjamin Franklin: The city’s master of ceremonies and a shameless promoter of fun, Franklin organizes late-night events to keep morale high but inadvertently derails serious work.
- Alexander Hamilton: Charismatic, shrewd, and a bit of a schemer, Hamilton finds ways to cut deals in the backrooms while also emerging as the life of the party.
- George Washington: The respected but detached presence, Washington becomes a mythic figure in the series, only appearing in brief scenes to issue stern but vague advice before disappearing again, usually to enjoy the amenities Franklin has arranged.
Visual Style:
While keeping the 18th-century costumes and settings, the show incorporates modern elements like neon signs for taverns, poker tables, and snappy editing reminiscent of contemporary political dramas. Each episode features “sidebars” where the delegates break the fourth wall, providing modern commentary on their antics.
Conclusion:
The Philadelphia Bash is both a love letter to and a parody of America’s founding. It’s a chance to reimagine history as a blend of debauchery and destiny, offering a fresh take that merges the gravity of the nation's creation with the levity of a weekend getaway.
