Posted on 08/11/2005 5:40:26 AM PDT by piperpilot
Has anyone noticed how Fox News Channel has oscillated wildly out of control this summer with their Fox News Alerts? It seems that the alerts are being used for everything from legitimate breaking news events (shuttle landing safely) to events that no one in their right mind would classify as breaking news (President Bush signs the Energy Bill--what a shocker that is!). Not only that, but they are now being used over and over again during a two-hour period to announce the same news event and it seems like every prime time show is started with a Fox News Alert whether the story deserves such treatment or not. And don't even get me started about the Fox News Alerts about every ridiculous car chase in California! We have been saturated with Fox News Alerts to the point that I often no longer pay attention to them because more often than not they are not important or are merely a repeat of previous news alerts. To me, FNC has become the boy who cried wolf and risks being ignored when there is truly a breaking news event. News alerts should be used sparingly and only once per news event.
Another gripe: Since when did Hannity and Colmes stop being a debate show and start being Greta-lite? It seems that 2/3 of the show is devoted to stories like Natalee Hollaway, the missing groom and the run-away bride. If I really wanted to follow those stories in depth, I would tune in to Greta. I want H&C to get back to politics and dispense with all the true crime stories.
A cat caught in a tree triggers a FOX NEWS ALERT!
I don't understand how anyone can watch H&C. There are always 4 people trying to out-shout eachother. If I wan that, I'll just sit at my dinnertable with my 4 kids.
It is getting laughable. FNA! the sun has risen!
I feel the same way. I don't know why they can't just use "FOX News Update" or "Brief" or something, and keep the "Alert" in reserve for the BIG stories.
And yes, H&C used to be a lot better.
Can we relax your rules for car chases?.... please... please...
Oh and BTW:
FOX NEWS Alert: Fire is Hot
I'm actually giving Rita Cosby a chance. H&C are getting stale.
Yes and I believe they do it at least 3 times an hour on the Aruba story despite the fact the biggest user of the Alert system, Rita "my sauces" Cosby is long gone.
The only shows I watch on Fox anymore is Special Report with Brit Hume, and the Beltway Boys on the weekend.
Those "News Alerts" have driven me nuts for years, and I stopped watching Hannity and Colmes after the election when it turned into primarily a human interest show.
Like you said, if I wanted to know about all that crap, I'd watch Greta.
Yessss, more car chases!
LOL, sounds like home to me.
I think the whole left vs. right debate show has gotten stale.
Oh yeah, they interrupt their Fox News Alerts with Fox News Alerts, it's comical.
Amen to that. I thought I was the only one thinking that. That show is a complete waste of time. The first year it was different, but can't stand Colmbs and his type spouting nonsense. Although they have the right to speak what ever they like, I have the right to change the channel. I refuse to watch that show under that format.
BTW, I will also watch Neil Cavuto if I happen to be at home when he is on.
I've noticed those "Breaking News" alerts too. Alas, it seems Fox has decided to fall into the mainstream media practice of making every man bites dog story a major news event.
These go on at the local level here, especially around ratings times. But August is not a big ratings month, so I don't understand why these are going on now.
I have a kind of opposite problem locally -- my local newspaper put the shuttle landing on the front page all right, but at the bottom left hand corner...just a couple of paragraphs. The big headline -- another local soldier killed in Iraq, complete with photo of grieving widow holding an infant. Oh...and he was killed by "insurgents." My local paper also can't bring itself to call these terrorists what they really are.
Grrrr!
Now I feel better too. :)
Special Report is the only show I watch regularly on FNC. I'll flip it on in the middle of the afternoon sometimes just to see what's going on. It's usually a car chase in California.
Reminds me of a funny.. When I was young, there was a cat "stuck" in a tree. The owwner called the fire department, a big production ensued to get the cat down. A man from the neighborhood walked up and calmly asked: "Anyone ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?" There was a long silence while everyone came to the realiztion of how silly the whole scene was.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.