Posted on 07/10/2006 6:40:34 PM PDT by keat
He may deny it, but Dan Rather is still hotter than a Laredo parking lot about CBS.
Sharp-eyed viewers may have noticed that Rather was not identified on screen with his network of 44 years when he appeared on Anderson Cooper's 360 Wednesday to discuss his recent trip to North Korea.
CNN didn't drop the ball, graphically speaking. Rather, ol' Dan didn't want CBS in the picture.
Literally.
In an in-house memo sent from a 360 staffer Thursday to CNN producers, they were told to "please feel free" to use taped snippets from Cooper's interview with Rather the previous night, but with one glaring caveat:
"Mr. Rather requests that his font not associate him with CBS News. So no 'Former CBS Anchor.' We thank you and Dan thanks you."
A CNN rep confirms the authenticity of the e-mail. Rather had no issue with being verbally identified on the show, she adds.
Rather was fishing in Upstate New York and couldn't be reached for comment Friday.
Rather, 74, left CBS in a rage June 20, saying the network had not lived up to its obligation to allow him to do "substantive work." His contract runs until late November.
Rather anchored CBS Evening News for an unprecedented 24 years before being forced to step down in March '05 due to the Memogate scandal. He became a full-time correspondent for 60 Minutes.
Look for Rather to crackle like a hickory fire Wednesday on Larry King's CNN confessional when he discusses his life after CBS and takes viewer calls. (Think Les Moonves will dial in?)
Rather will be on set with Father King in L.A. No word whether CBS will appear anywhere near his name on the screen this time.
Not to get too Oliver Stone-y, but could Rather be in L.A. for other reasons - like announcing that he's joining HDNet, Mark Cuban's high-definition TV network based in Dallas?
It's been rumored for weeks that Rather will develop and host a weekly documentary series for HDNet, which reaches an estimated three million homes.
HDNet is scheduled to present a Q & A session tomorrow to TV critics gathered in L.A. Thus far, the network has not confirmed the content of the session or who will be there.
From a publicity point of view, HDNet would get a major bang for its buck by announcing Rather to critics, followed the next day by an hour-long wet kiss on CNN's most popular show.
Dan Rather and HDNet. Turn the lights down, the party just got wilder.
I saw that interview. Dan got all misty-eyed recanting his trip to North Korea for a 60 Minutes piece.
He really didn't say font, did he? I would think that has to go down as one of Danny boy's least favorite words now. LOL
So CNN takes requests regarding what they labels they put on people?
Maybe we can get them to stop labelling our people "anti-abortion" and the other side as "pro-choice."
OK, then how about "Disgraceful Former CBS Anchor Dan Rather"?
Would that be Wingdings, Rage Italic, or Comic Sans?
Rather's lack of proportion shows a dearth of character.
Pretty immature for a bigshot zillionaire self-important newsreader.
Ol' Dan's as clueless as Colonel Mustard caught up in a game of Monopoly.
Ha! ...or perhaps Professor Plum in Candyland.
Doug, that was a classic!!!
What a hoot ...I'd missed that one.
"Would that be Wingdings, Rage Italic, or Comic Sans?"
Hobo Bold
Much ado about nothing. Since ratherlied is no longer afilliated with CBS, it's logical it would not be acceptable to have the CBS logo on any report he might give.
Other than Madonna, Pee Wee Herman and the Irish Republican Army, is there ANYONE more over than Dan Rather?
LOL...FReepers worked for yrs and yrs to expose Dan, and get him fired. FReepers finally did just that!!! ***smiling***
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