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A media critique... and then some! Banned in Beijing, Kabul, and at KCAL TV.
Happy Labor Day! Tuesday Letters are UP - NOW condemned, a complaint about reporter mispronunciations, a former cop on the Friday shootout, and more. Inside LA TV - A well known anchor praises Nancy Bauer Gonzales and blasts Paula Madison, and a former KCALer comments on their interim news director. Links to Recent Issues 08-27-01 Monday's OTR 08-29-01 Wednesday's OTR 08-31-01 Friday's OTR If you'd like to send a contribution to help keep OTR going, you can send ten dollars to Ron Fineman, PO Box 42364, Bakersfield, CA 93384 Or you can send $ on-line. Just click on the PayPal Logo. Thanks to our latest contributors....Pete Demetriou, Don Barrett, Chris Carrera, Chuck Siversten*, Patrick Shannon, and four people who've asked to stay anonymous. Your help is appreciated! *Given more than $10 |
To get on the OTR email reminder list, email me at BRUIN74@aol.com. |
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER STATION PROMOTION
Of all the place KCBS weatherman Jim Castillo could've done a live shot a week ago Wednesday, there was really only one choice. CBS was holding tryouts for a new TV show, so I guess I don't have to tell you where Castillo ended up. And within his live shot was a pre-recorded story about this new show. At the end of the newscast, they also had their obligatory story about another prime time show, Big Brother. Suppose CBS were to run this new show, Big Brother and Survivor on the same night? Would KCBS even have time to report the news?
Unrelated to the never ending problem of station promotion in newscasts, was a seemingly strange reaction during Castillo's live shot. The tryouts for this new show were at the Key Club in Hollywood, and he was live outside with a large group of mostly women who were in line to get in. He asked them a question. I don't recall what it was now, but I remember it was a question which required an answer, not a reaction. Nevertheless, their answer was a big yell of "WHOOO." It was as if these people had been conditioned that when a TV camera was in their presence, no thinking of deliberation is required. I'm not sure all of them even could hear what the question was. But when asked a question, if you're part of a crowd and maybe you're not sure what the question is, the automatic reaction seems to be to cheer. Suppose he'd asked "Would you like to spend the rest of your life in Alaska?" WHOO! "Why don't we eliminate the 19th Amendment?" WHOO! Very strange.
HOODLUMS, HUH?
There was trouble in West Hollywood recently. City leaders were upset when some people were chopping of the tops of trees. Apparently the goal was to make the billboards they were covering more visible. On KCOP, Neki Mohan referred to the tree cutters as "hatchet wielding hoodlums." Isn't that a little strong? It seems like people who commit drive-by shootings get by with less name calling on the news than that.
And in a great example of forsaking accuracy in the hopes of trying to sound clever, she said "they're going out on a limb putting up a 500 dollar reward for anyone who catches them in the act." Since when is offering a reward, especially a very small one, 'going out on a limb?" Because it's a story about trees, apparently any tree metaphor will do.
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GETTING THE RIGHT ANN(E)
There were a few celebrity soundbites last week during one of Sam Rubin's reports last week on The KTLA Morning News. There was a woman who looked a lot like Ann Miller to me, but the name on screen said Anne Francis. I know mistakes happen, and I'm pretty sure Sam would know one from the other. So I'm guessing some youngin who didn't know any better was responsible.. Still, I'm sure Sam would agree the buck stops with him. And for those who may be in doubt, you can always tell Anne Francis from the birth mark by her lip. And as all Twilight Zone fans will recall, she made a great looking mannequin.
WHO IS EDITING THIS STUFF?
That is the question that Mr KABC emailed to me after catching a pretty stupid error on the KTLA Website. I've also highlighted another error. Have a look for yourself:
Questions Raised about Santa Clarita Bun Battle
Lynne HosteinKTLA-TV Newswriter
Published September 3 2001, 9:31 AM PDT
------------------------
We all know I've made my share of typos in OTR. But "Bun Battle?" That is bad.
HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN?
The LA Times reported that the Sheriff's Department admitted that in the shootout last Friday, their deputies fired at the houses on both sides of their target James Beck. They quoted one neighbor saying that he yelled to a deputy that he was firing into the wrong house. After that he heard that deputy ask another one which house they were supposed to be firing at. The second deputy let the first one know that he had been shooting at the wrong house.
I realize this was an unexpected and scary situation. But shooting into the wrong house? Isn't there some procedure where deputies ask where their target is before firing? I know we have some members of law enforcement who read OTR. I would especially be interested in your take on all of this. And under the circumstances, if you'd like anonymity for this subject, I'll give it to you. You can reach me at BRUIN74@aol.com.
READERS SAY ALATORRE GOT OFF TOO EASY
| Do you believe Richard Alatorre got off too lightly? | ||||
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votes | percent | ||
1.) Yes |
55 | 95% | ||
2.) No |
3 | 5% | ||
3.) Undecided |
0 | 0% | ||
NEW POLL QUESTION
While listening to C-Span while writing OTR, I heard the issue come up about the playing of the National Anthem before sporting events. One person was suggesting that is a sort of false patriotism. I must admit, I agree. It's never made sense to me. Yet, I realize for baseball fans in particular, who love tradition, they might really miss the Star Spangled Banner less out of patriotism than a loss of that tradition. So, let's put it out there. Please head to the poll section and let us know what you think.
IT'S LIKE EVERYONE HAS THE SAME WRITER
If I had a dollar for every time some one in TV news called Aliyah a 'rising star', I could stop asked for your contributions. I don't question the accuracy, but like anything else, if you hear something said the same way over and over and over, it makes you wonder if there's another way to say it.
RE-EDITING THE VIDEO
A couple of weeks ago, police were looking for a man who had kidnapped his girlfriend at gun point. While the search was on, KABC was among the TV stations which put a graphic on the screen showing his license plate. Later the woman was found safely, and the guy turned himself in. Yet, when KABC updated the story, there was that full screen video of the license plate...something which was now irrelevant to the story. When a story changes, it is often necessary to re-edit the video. It's not the worst mistake in the world, but I believe it shows a certain amount of sloppiness that you shouldn't see in the #2 market in America.
THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE READING
On the CBS Network radio news, anchor Cami McCormick said that Janet Reno was considering whether to run for governor of California. I don't think you have to live in California to know that Reno is considering running in Florida.
INSIDE LA TV
A well known anchor comments on Nancy Bauer Gonzales, a former KCALer offers some thoughts about that station's interim news director...and more. Just head to the Inside LA TV section on the menu.
OTR JOB LIST
"I'm looking for a top-notch editor for KFWB, and thought there
might be some
qualified candidates from the world of television news, as well as from
radio. If you can help me get out the word through your web site, I'd
really appreciate it!
KFWB editors are responsible for selecting news stories, producing news
lineups, assigning reporters and writers -- basically acting as the "air
traffic controller" of the fast-paced all news format. Again, I'm looking
for a dynamic, experienced broadcast journalist to start right away!
Interested parties may call me at 323 871 4625 or email cquimby@kfwb.com."
Regards,
Crys Quimby
KFWB News 980
Director of Programming and News
BROADCASTEZE VIOLATION OF THE WEEK
Who: David Cruz and Gene Gleeson (and probably some others)
Where: KNBC and KABC
What : "slain" deputy
Put your hand on the monitor and count to three....one, two, three....HEAL!!
IT'S A HOLIDAY
History tells me that readership is light on holidays, and it usually doesn't completely recover during the week. I probably should take the day off, but I know some of you are expecting OTR. Besides, I already promoted today's issue, and...what else have I got to do today? Anyway, I did keep the main page on the light side today. Hope you had a nice weekend.
By the way, I checked out the Sweet and Hot Music Festival Saturday, which features jazz from the 20s, 30s and 40s. There were eight stages going at one time, including some performances by headliner Pete Fountain. For good swing, I was especially impressed by the Bill Elliot Swing Band. It's a yearly event...so if you like that sort of music, you may want to keep it in mind for next year.
YOUR OPINIONS
They are always welcome. You can reach me at BRUIN74@aol.com. Unless you say otherwise, I will assume your comments are for publication.
Ron's disclaimer: Like all reporters I have opinions. I do the best I can to make sure that nothing I say here has any effect on my objectivity in covering stories.
OTR's main page IS PUBLISHED MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. Letters are added Tuesday - Friday.
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