ONLY DAYS after CNN rudely dispensed with his anchor services in a move to turn his successor, young Anderson Cooper, into a media superstar, the veteran newsman Aaron Brown bounced in for lunch with me (Liz Smith) at Michael's. I was the one who asked him out, picking the literary-media restaurant as a "happening" place.
Aaron arrived looking younger and more handsome than he ever does on-air. With an Arizona suntan and flashing white teeth, the 50-odd-year-old looks about 39 or 40. He was very "upbeat" and vital in a blue V-neck sweater over an open-collared shirt. We got right down to it. What does he think of CNN's negative move on him?
"Of course, I think they made a mistake," laughed Aaron. "But . . . they're entitled."
He assured me that his long contract will be paid off while he and his wife finish building a house near Scottsdale, Ariz., and his daughter enters college. Also, he thinks he has many options in his future.
"I don't know exactly what I will do," he mused as a succession of media visitors came to interrupt us and ask where they might register their outrage at his "NewsNight" cancellation — among them ABC veteran visionary Av Westin and Fox TV's Roger Ailes. Aaron expressed admiration for the manner in which Fox beats the pants off its competitors. "They are the most on-target, disciplined bunch I've ever seen!" he told Roger. And we talked with one man who said he was a journalism teacher from the Midwest. He professed much admiration for Aaron, who has had a long career — at ABC under Roone Arledge in "the good old days." Then Aaron made his mark with the heartfelt emotional coverage he did for CNN during 9/11 from a Manhattan rooftop. "I will never forget your magnificent work in those terrible days," said the teacher.
Over beef stroganoff, our talk ranged from Dan Rather's problems at CBS to how much he admires Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters to working with the late Peter Jennings. We both expressed admiration for the lure of live TV news.
"Well, yes, there's nothing like it," said Aaron "and I would like to go on covering news every single day. I like to work. But I might write a book. I know it takes a lot of discipline." He glanced at the signature mountain of french fries the restaurant puts on the table, but he resisted them.
We were interrupted again by Roger Ailes, who visited, passing Michael Eisner at a nearby table. Roger made a lunch date with Aaron. I have already said how much I liked Aaron's unusual, informal presentation of news — both serious and seriocomic. He was doing a fresh kind of information and comment on "NewsNight."
Have you got a job for Aaron Brown? You can call his agent Carol Cooper.
Hm. Scottsdale. Sounds like a dream come true. Golf and authorship. What could be better? You are dearly missed, Aaron. I do agree. It's CNN's loss. Obviously.
Aaron arrived looking younger and more handsome than he ever does on-air. With an Arizona suntan and flashing white teeth, the 50-odd-year-old looks about 39 or 40. He was very "upbeat" and vital in a blue V-neck sweater over an open-collared shirt. We got right down to it. What does he think of CNN's negative move on him?
"Of course, I think they made a mistake," laughed Aaron. "But . . . they're entitled."
He assured me that his long contract will be paid off while he and his wife finish building a house near Scottsdale, Ariz., and his daughter enters college. Also, he thinks he has many options in his future.
"I don't know exactly what I will do," he mused as a succession of media visitors came to interrupt us and ask where they might register their outrage at his "NewsNight" cancellation — among them ABC veteran visionary Av Westin and Fox TV's Roger Ailes. Aaron expressed admiration for the manner in which Fox beats the pants off its competitors. "They are the most on-target, disciplined bunch I've ever seen!" he told Roger. And we talked with one man who said he was a journalism teacher from the Midwest. He professed much admiration for Aaron, who has had a long career — at ABC under Roone Arledge in "the good old days." Then Aaron made his mark with the heartfelt emotional coverage he did for CNN during 9/11 from a Manhattan rooftop. "I will never forget your magnificent work in those terrible days," said the teacher.
Over beef stroganoff, our talk ranged from Dan Rather's problems at CBS to how much he admires Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters to working with the late Peter Jennings. We both expressed admiration for the lure of live TV news.
"Well, yes, there's nothing like it," said Aaron "and I would like to go on covering news every single day. I like to work. But I might write a book. I know it takes a lot of discipline." He glanced at the signature mountain of french fries the restaurant puts on the table, but he resisted them.
We were interrupted again by Roger Ailes, who visited, passing Michael Eisner at a nearby table. Roger made a lunch date with Aaron. I have already said how much I liked Aaron's unusual, informal presentation of news — both serious and seriocomic. He was doing a fresh kind of information and comment on "NewsNight."
Have you got a job for Aaron Brown? You can call his agent Carol Cooper.
Hm. Scottsdale. Sounds like a dream come true. Golf and authorship. What could be better? You are dearly missed, Aaron. I do agree. It's CNN's loss. Obviously.
