Television

MEET THE PRESS

catpaw — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:07:35 GMT

Last Sunday I watched Brian Williams sit in for Tim Russert on Meet The Press. He interviewed two guests, Senators Lindsey Graham (R) and Joe Biden (D) as they debated and charged and counter-charged Obama vs. McCain. Brian Williams was a competent moderator. Next week Tom Brokaw will sit in the chair.

I've not heard any comments from critics about these anchors being compared to Tim Russert. I think such comparisons would be unfair. No, they are not like Tim Russert. Nobody is. Russert did, however, establish standards of journalism that are challenging to the best. In this respect his legacy continues.

While I miss Tim Russert, Meet The Press, I am confident, will continue to be the high-quality news it has always been.

This is news?

creepykat — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 17:59:16 GMT

Alot of you have probably seen Ellen Degenerous (sp?) weep over the dog she adopted and conveyed to a loving family. The dog adoption agency reclaimed the dog. Ellen did not comply with a clause in a contract that required her to return the dog to the agency if she couldn't keep it. Subsequently, a little girl was presented, weeping for the pet she loves. How could a dog adoption agency be so insensitive and cruel?

What the news did not disclose is the fact the agency told the family, and I assume the tearful child, that they need only submit an application, allow their home to be inspected, and no problem, the dog is theirs. The family refused to do this. Why the news did not disclose this pertinent fact is beyond me.

If TV networks are going to report the news, report the news. Omitted facts slanting the story is not news.

Children Are Illigetimate?

creepycat — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:25:32 GMT

On rare occassions when time is my own, I watch 17 News at noon. I turn the tube off after the news because it is followed by celebrity gossip that doesn't interest me. Today (Aug. 7) I got to the off button late and caught Pat O'brien on Insider announcing DNA tests proved the late James Brown "fathered two illigetimate children." He used "illigetimate children" twice. I thought that term was obsolete. As far as I know, courts and social services do not apply "illigetimate" to a child. If so, it shouldn't be allowed. This is not a simple matter of political correctness.

Babies, of course, have no choice of parentage, conception or birth. No baby warrants a scarlet letter as soon as it's born. Parents can be illigetimate, not a child.

If I sound like I am nit-picking Pat Obrien's choice of words, bear in mind that he is (presumably) a professional journalist communicating with millions of people. He has an obligation not to keep objectionable labels alive and well. He certainly has a responsibility not to use such terminology as a respectable means to report his facts.

NBC Loves Paris

creepycat — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:30:36 GMT

Last night I watched Jay Leno. He says NBC's Today morning show is paying Paris Hilton $1 million for an exclusive interview when she gets out of jail. He says Matt Lauer will not interview Paris because he "made fun of her."

Of all the people and personalities Today could interview--oil CEOs about gas prices, politicians, generals in charge of Iraq War, Justice Dept. about what going on with border control, NASA official about space station, doctors about medical research or breakthroughs--pay Paris a million for an exclusive interview about...what?

Which gives me an idea: if I get drunk and crash my car while driving, how much will channel 17 pay me for an exclusive interview when I get out of jail? E mail me, 17 News, and let's make a deal.

Instant Classic?

creepycat — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:44:35 GMT

Just venting:

Yesterday on the morning Today show I heard a broadcast journalist refer to the new movie "Knocked Up" as an "instant classic." Huh? If something is a classic (or classical), the work must meet certain conditions. The test of time is one of them. "Gone With the Wind" is a classic. "The Wizard of Oz" is a classic. Some movies, such as "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is qualified as a cult classic. None of these classics are "instant."

For Joe Blow in a bar to use the term "instant classic" to express his enthusiasm is understandable. For a professional journalist communicating to millions of people...no wonder kids are flunking English.

Memorial Day: just another day?

creepycat — Mon, 28 May 2007 22:23:51 GMT

With virtually every American taking time to remember our dedicated heros in uniform and especially our fallen, both present and past, network TV deems it appropriate to ignore any commoration.

Prime time on Memorial Day on channel 17 is an hour of practical jokes to ruin a wedding and a two-hour meat market special of Miss Universe.

Channel 23 is featuring two shows titled Wife Swap and Ex-Wives Club, respectively. But they're new shows, so what better day than Memorial Day to preimer this entertainment.

Channel 29 is re-running two hours of different 1/2 hour sitcoms.

Channel 45 is carrying the gala event of World Music Awards for 2 hours.

Channel 58 is showing 2 hours of The Lot, a contest of a gaggle of aspiring film directors vying for a million dollar contract (or something).

An hour devoted to our nation's war memorials, such as Arlington--we got these talented hotties to parade for two hours. A Memorial Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and maybe a concert--hey, we got two NEW shows about frustrated wives. A documentary covering the cemetary at Normandy--don't be stupid, the country wants to see who wins a contest. Any close-up documentary of our sons and daughters getting shot at in some arm pit of creation--too depressing, Americans don't want to know about that. But we got this yummy pablum of rerun sitcoms.

Network executives, you had a wonderful opportunity to capture the attention of your viewership and promptly flushed it down the toilet. Unless, of course, you think the American public shares your apathy for our history, traditiion, sacrifices and service of our military heros.