MSNBC is still a 'Safe to Watch' News Network

The Latest TV News Anchor Choices: Good Night and Good Luck, Indeed

... Now, we are seeing a generation of anchors get appointed who may be telegenic, but have earned their stripes doing lifestyle pieces, interviewing celebrities about their latest book or movie - and instead of attending and working sources during cocktail parties in foreign embassies, are far more likely to be seen attending and hugging fellow celebrities at cocktail parties thrown by the likes of non-newsworthy types such P Diddy and Martha Stewart.

Want names? OK:

CNN tosses out Aaron Brown for Anderson Cooper. Brown, a literate anchor with an offbeat sensibility, is pitched for a more youthful type who - despite being the son of Gloria Vanderbilt - is gaining his serious journalist chops. Still, Cooper's resume does not reflect many years at the top levels of news-gathering and/or news presentation.

ABC News replaces its late "World News Tonight" anchor with predominantly lifestyle and celebrity reporter Elizabeth Vargas and with Bob Woodruff, who does have serious broadcast journalist chops but like Anderson Cooper, lacks the lengthy resume of some alternatives.

ABC replaces its now-retired "Nightline" anchor Ted Koppel, not with a serious reporter-journalist such as Chris Bury or John Donvan, but with a triumverate that includes a reporter best known for getting Michael Jackson to talk about who he likes to share his bed with.

And now, we read that CBS News is drooling over Katie Couric as their ideal permanent replacement for Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News. Couric is a smart, possibly brilliant woman whohas lived a rich, full life full of life's gifts and tragedies, but I still think of her within the confines of the "Today" show - and the diet of self-promoting movie stars, authors, and advice experts that come to her table hoping to sell more books or movie tix.

At the same time these appointments were being made, I went to see "Good Night, and Good Luck," a picture mostly about legendary CBS News anchor Edward R. Murrow's battle with Joe McCarthy. I wonder how many of these new focus-tested, impeccably groomed, celebrity-interviewing news anchors would have the chops and the guts to take on some of today's more noxious political figures?

It's almost a "duh" to note that these choices were made because of calculations that network news ratings are sliding largely because younger folks are not watching these broadcasts. So maybe if these younger folks see one of their own, someone who doesn't look like their grandparent, they will tune in again, and we'll get more viewers and sell more ads. This is what happens when formerly autonomous networks become a division of entertainment oriented conglomerates responsible for churning out hit movies, theme park promotions, and swimsuit magazine covers. And of pleasing shareholders.

I have no problem with lifestyle pieces at the end of news broadcasts that tell us what matters. But let lifestyle reporters do those segments. Just don't let these puff piece promoters in the anchor chair where so many greats have told us and helped bring into perspective the important news of the last 50 years.

I'd like to see a rule: you attend one party with P Diddy or Martha Stewart, and you don't get to be prime time news anchor at my network.

May as well just watch FOX

1000

Breaking News is what the anchor of the flagship does. It used to be Aaron. Anderson stole the place from him. I don't find his commentary adequate. The television coverage on the ground is from FOX.

Breaking News with a plane crash as Midway Airport in Chicago. There are people on the ground involved in severe injuries. All the people in the plane are safe. This was a landing incident whereby the plane slid on ice/snow, accelerated and broke through a barrier into local traffic.

1005

Children 3 adults 2 two cars one critical injury one serious injury.

1012

This is another coverage like that in Canada. I am still waiting for the word miracle.

1018

I've heard enough of this repetitive stuff. I haven't got any varied information for 13 minutes now. I miss Aaron.

Enough.