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A media critique... and then some!
Tuesday Letters are Up Inside LA TV - KCAL anchor shake up, and the response from Cheryl Carson's lawyer. Links to Recent Issues 10-22-01 Monday's OTR 10-24-01 Wednesday's OTR 10-26-01 Friday's OTR If you'd like to send a contribution to help keep OTR going, you can send 10 dollars to Ron Fineman, PO Box 42364, Bakersfield, CA 93384 Or you can send $ on-line. Just click on the PayPal Logo. My thanks to Ed Pyle, Steve Harvey and Lauren Tobin* for contributing. Your help is appreciated! * given more than 10 dollars |
To get on the OTR email reminder list, email me at BRUIN74@aol.com. |
CHECKING OUT THAT VIDEO
This one goes back a couple of weeks. KNBC was doing a story about suspicious mail received at the New York Times. This was before the anthrax connections at ABC and CBS. Yet, after they showed video of the New York Times building, we saw video of both ABC and CBS, which were not part of that story. It appears as if some producer said 'get me some file video of the New York Times,' and then no one bothered to edit out ABC and CBS. Either that, or the tape editor has been consulting with Miss Cleo.
GOOD LUCK ON THAT
In a story on KCBS, they said that the city of West Hollywood is asking that people dress appropriately and not cross over the line at the annual West Hollywood Halloween Party. I think that may be asking a lot, based on what I've seen there in past years. I remember one "costume" a couple of years ago....it was a man who had an upside down mannequin strapped to him, with the face of the mannequin inside the man's pants. It is certainly not an event for the socially conservative. Given the current state of the world, maybe this year the guy with the mannequin will have it painted red, white and blue.
HOW YOU KNOW RUDY IS FEELING UPPITY
I've complained here before about that stale PR trick, in which public officials in opposing cities or states, will do some corny public bet on the Super Bowl or World Series. In every bet I can remember, the officials are always of equal level. Mayor versus mayor, or governor versus governor. But this time, Rudy Giuliani has placed a bet with Senator John McCain. Mayor versus Senator? Sounds like a mismatch to me. Just like the World Series seems to be.
SOMEONE SHOULD FACT-CHECK THE PROMO
On KABC radio, they've been running a promo for the Doug McIntyre show, in which Doug and a caller discuss why it would be silly for the US to stop attacking Afghanistan during Ramadan. The caller talks about the Iran-Iraq war, and Doug recalls how Washington attacked the Hessians on Christmas. Then the caller talks about Egypt attacking Israel in the "six-day war, AKA the Yom Kippur War." The Six-day War was in 1967, and the Yom Kippur War was in 1973, and it lasted longer than six days. Since Doug McIntyre does know a lot of history, it is ironic that that sort of mistake is running in a promo for his show. KABC certainly can't help it if callers get a fact wrong. But they should be more careful about what they turn into a promo. Especially when the station uses the slogan "The More You Know."
REINER AND HAQ
If they ever make a movie about the story Abdul Haq, the Afghan opposition leader who was just executed by the Taliban, it seems like Rob Reiner is the man for the job. In case you're not sure, that's Reiner on the left.
EXACTLY WHO FITS IN THERE?
This is a problem that is not unique to the news media, but it seems like broadcasters are the most frequent violators. In describing a list of singers, KCAL's Cary Berglund said "Everyone from Ricky Martin to Mariah." Now, what does that really mean? Who is between Ricky Martin and Mariah? How about Paul Simon? Michael Jackson? Clarence "Frogman" Henry? I don't even know what categories that Martin and Mariah would represent, which would give me an idea of who can be put between them. Might just as well say, "Ricky Martin, Mariah, and a bunch of others."
ONLY ON KCOP
Gina Silva was doing a story about sex drive. Can you imagine, a story about sex on KCOP? Of course they do so many stories related to sex, I wonder how they know when it's a rating period. Anyway, from the station which doesn't mind a little street talk, came this unusual euphemism for penis. Silva said ..."increase the blood flow to the little man downstairs." Granted, that's not street talk, nor is it exactly clinical. It is pure KCOP.
PULLING A SEINFELD EPISODE
Seinfeld's syndicator has lifted the episode in which George's fiancée dies from licking poisonous envelopes. They're just trying to be sensitive. But really, are there any Seinfeld fans who might think that episode in any way makes light of the Anthrax deaths? I think we've all seen most of the episodes so many times, that any one particular isn't going to be missed for a while. But in principle, the show and the country should be strong enough to keep it in rotation.
LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULTS
| How would you describe the amount of TV news coverage regarding Anthrax? | ||||
 |
votes | percent | ||
1.) About Right |
23 | 28% | ||
2.) Too Much |
59 | 72% | ||
3.) Not Enough |
0 | 0% | ||
Two questions for this week....1) Do you think the government has handled the anthrax situation well? 2) Are you satisfied with how well the war effort is going? Please head to the poll section on the menu.
IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE WEEKS
I'm working at KNX Tuesday through Friday this week, which may mean that this time I won't have time to have a Wednesday edition. I'm not sure yet. But if you don't see one Wednesday, we'll back on Friday. By the way.... I appreciate all the advice I had on the windshield. Now, I've got to figure out if I should get a new roof, or just have the leaks fixed. Tough call...especially since I'd have to get a loan for the new roof, but the roofing people say they can't guarantee that their roof repairs will work. Any roofing experts out there?
BROADCASTEZE VIOLATION OF THE WEEK
Who: Jaie Avila
Where: KABC-TV
What: ..a "mishap" at the plant
Put your hand on the monitor and count to three...one, two, three....HEAL!!
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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