"Teetotaly moteetaly!"
Posted on 12/01/2004 9:22:16 PM PST by NYTexan
CBS News executives, facing the prospect of a Rather-less evening news program for the first time in two decades, may experiment with a so-called "reality TV" newscast format, according to one unnamed network insider.
"Anchors and personalities cost big bucks," said the source. "Instead of trying to find the next Dan Rather or Ted Baxter, we're thinking of getting back to basics. You know...just the facts. We're dead last now, so how bad could it get?"
Indeed a notesheet obtained from a top-level CBS programming meeting seems to confirm that the network may be ready to shake things up. Here's a partial excerpt of the brainstorming session notes: -- "What if the news itself were the star of the show, rather than the newscasters? -- What if reporters and anchors were chosen for their ability to accurately recount the day's events? -- What if we skipped the flashy graphics and fancy sets, and used the extra cash to hire more reporters? -- What if the length of the newscast were determined daily by the volume and significance of the news? -- What if we reported on the important stuff even if we didn't have any b-roll video to illustrate it? -- What if reporters spent the first 20 seconds of every story admitting their preconceived ideas, biases and opinions on the subject? -- What if we superimposed an elephant or donkey graphic next to a reporter's name to indicate his political affiliation? -- What if we didn't care about who wins the ratings war, but only about the accuracy, fairness and relevance of our reporting? -- What if we ran a separate audio track allowing viewers to hear our news sources commenting about the accuracy of the stories we do about them? -- What if viewers could download all of the raw videotape and transcripts from our interviews immediately after the show? -- What if viewers could talk back to producers during the show on our blog? -- What if we had a real blog? -- What if we weren't too smart to try some of these ideas?"
CBS has launched an internal investigation to assess the authenticity of the notesheet and to determine who leaked it to the so-called "mainstream media."
Dang, you had me going there for a moment:
"What if," indeed.
No kidding. I thought "this is brilliant!" I'll check it out. Should have known better. I've worked for three newspapers and one magazine. I've never known an honest newsman.
What if it wasn't so obvious that they were out stumbling around trying to discredit Bush, while giving Kerry a totally free pass?
Their bias could not have been more blatently exposed, and we watched them dig their own graves in the process.
What the heck: Brokaw and Rather have been voted off the set. I think Koppel is next... which tribe will prevail?
They want an anchoe person their because "What if" someone is watching? Who watches these liars anymore!! There so anti- american, they should lose their licenses to be on our airways. Stop watching them, and protest their sponsors!!
They should hire the person who wrote this at CBS as an advisor.
SOUNDS INTERESTING.
But I don't believe all the puppet masters in bed with CBS have suddenly rolled over dead.
FOX
Reality would be a considerable departure from what they now purvey.
(I do think they should look for the next Ted Baxter, though.)
Once the idiots at MSNBC and CNN go away for good, the only player left will be FOX News.
I hear all the threads, talk radio, etc., that Dan Rather going. He is not going within 30 days?
How about re-runs of Gilligans Island???...I'm sure it would get higher ratings than Dan Blather did......
BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Jeez Louise...What would it be???...some tropical island with two half naked news anchors swatting flies as big as hummingbirds??...Now for the latest from Iraq......
"Teetotaly moteetaly!"
I agree! It sounded like a great idea to me. If they did that I would actually watch it.
What if..... ?
The long journey begins with the first step. Contemplation of that step resembles progress.
Fear is the mindkiller.
"What if we superimposed an elephant or donkey graphic next to a reporter's name to indicate his political affiliation? -- "
This may become a reality on news casts and so called financial nets. I'm to the point that if I watch CNBC, I mute it with about 90% of the CNBC talking heads and about 70% of their so called experts. They push the gloom and doom and dark side predictions/warnings all the time.
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