Fake accent for 'voice' of Hussein?

LATimes ^ | 05MAR03 | Elizabeth Jensen

[MindBender26]

NEW YORK -- Steve Winfield is a listed member of the Screen Actors Guild and, according to the owner of the "Fabulous Voices" Web site on which he once appeared, a translator with a particular flair for foreign accents.

Last week, for 17 million TV viewers, he was also the voice of Saddam Hussein during Dan Rather's exclusive CBS News interview of the Iraqi leader. Apparently putting on an Arabic accent, Winfield -- who spoke with a seemingly everyday North American accent when he talked briefly to a reporter this week -- read Hussein's answers to Rather's questions.

[madrastex]

"..... go to Hell, (skip) ...go to Hell, (skip).....go to Hell."
Would look great on his tombstone. Some others could borrow the line,too.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

You will love this...... my Marine just told me that Rather used to claim to be a Marine - but the truth was that he washed out in Boot Camp! lol............

[BullDog108]

One of my ex wives use to fake it all the time...

How can you tell?......

[AndyJackson]

in complete compliance with CBS News Standards

CBS don't need no stinking standards.

[fight_truth_decay]

Who faked Rather?</>

Who facked Saddam?

Next, they will be telling us that was not really the real Saddam, but Saddam #1,#2,#3,#4,or #5.

Did they get DNA evidence? How can we be sure. ;)

[BunnySlippers]

•

[MJY1288]

"One of my ex wives use to fake it all the time"

That's why they're X wives

[OldFriend]

The question is whether Dan ever even left the US.

[fight_truth_decay]

(facked = faked) :( could have been worse! (just woke up)

[mewzilla]

This isn't surprising coming from an institution that fakes journalism in general on a daily basis.

[Redleg Duke]

Rather faked news from Viet Nam...so what else is new?

[apackof2]

That's why they're X wives

Did you ever think that the poor girl had to?!

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

But Richard Wald, a professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, and a former head of standards and practices for ABC News, said that as long as CBS didn't pretend the speaker was Hussein, "there's nothing wrong with having done it." "It would have been better if they had simply told" viewers, however, he said. "It's always nicer to be straight with the audience."

If accurately quoted, what additional evidence is required to support the contention that most journalists consider jadedness to be the mark of a true journeyman? Good grief, this guy is educating graduate students at the most prestigious school of journalism in the world!

[MindBender26]

In 'Nam, one evening at the 5:00 Follies, (actually the MACV Media Briefing at 1600 hrs, but what the heck....) A certain Noted Network Reporter announced that he was going down to IV Corps to be with the 9th ID the next day.

IV Corps (the Delta) was mostly swamp, canals, etc, so when the Noted Network Reporter ended up with some German "Humanitarian Nurses" that night and missed his lift into the Delta, he got into the shower the next evening, fully clothed, and wet himself from the thighs down, so it looked like he had been in the swamps with the troops all day.

Problem was, Vietnameese floor boy told Vietnameese bellman, who told Vietnameese briefers, who told us.... who told everyone over drinks that night........

[cyncooper]

Winfield, in a very brief telephone interview, confirmed that he was the voice of Hussein on the CBS program and described himself as the show's "on-air interpreter," before passing the phone to his wife, Judy.

What's with hiding behind the wife?

[Howlin]

The '60 Minutes II' report conveyed a fully accurate translation of the interview after Iraq let us have the tape after THEY edited it that was in complete compliance with CBS News Standards."

[mountaineer]

As if we needed any more convincing that journalism schools are a joke. Now being truthful in reporting the news is merely "nice," a far cry from absolutely essential.

I'm not really a translator, I just played one on a CBS news program.

[The_Victor]

Who faked Rather?

More importantly, has Dan Blather ever been real?

[randita]

This is absolutely despicable!

It was an unashamed and subliminal attempt to make Hussein appear more likable and human than he is. Rather than employ one of those monotone, nondescript translators used by the U.N., CBS chose an ACTOR.

I would like to know what this actor has pitched before. No doubt, he was the pitch person for such warm, fuzzy and non-threatening items like Campbell's soup or hot chocolate.

Rush and Hannity are going to have a grand old time with this news.

[MindBender26]

In the aftermath of Leanardo DiCaprio interviewing Slick on Earth Day for ABC News, (On-camera standup: "Way cool, Mr. President!") the new president of ABC News memoed everyone"

"In the future, the part of a journalist will always be played by a journalist!"

Right, Mr. Goldenson, It's all an act.........!