On The Fox News Channel, one of the anchors said that their reporter Bill McCuddy was not able to air an interview he did with Martin Lawrence, because Lawrence refused to give McCuddy the tape.   Here is what McCuddy says on the FNC website:  "Finally Martin Lawrence still hasn't sent me the videotape of our interview. He got cranky when I asked about some of his famous run-ins with the law. His publicist refused to release the interview. Yes, sadly they can do that when it's their camera. The comedy concert movie is about letting him tell his side of what he calls misleading media stories. Martin, we can't tell the story if you don't give us the tape. Is that so crazy?"

Yes, unlike other TV reporters, those in entertainment routinely allow celebrities to control the tape of interviews which promote their movies.  As I've said here before, that is WRONG.  Those celebs need TV news a lot more than TV news needs them and their movie promoting interviews.  Entertainment reporters should get some courage, band together, and stop this ridiculous practice.

A LITTLE FORMALITY WOULD HELP

They've got this new weatherman at KNBC, and it seems like he's  been on all the time recently, filling in for one person or another. Anyway, he is NEW, but the anchors almost always just introduce him as John.  Shouldn't they give his last name until people get to know him?  I don't believe a viewer is going to feel more comfortable with someone based on some false informality. I've often felt that many stations make the mistake of jettisoning last names when it comes to their sports and weather anchors. After all, they may well know who they're stilling next to, but you can be a sure a lot of viewers don't.

KUDOS TO KNBC

I was doing a lot of channel switching last Thursday  (hard to believe it was less than a week ago) during the Lancaster kidnapping story.  They were the first station to get an interview (on the phone) with the Kern County Sheriff's Department, saying that the girls had been found safe.  Just before that, I was watching KCBS which had some emotional reaction from some people on cell phones, which seemed to indicate something was going on, but at that moment Marc Coogan couldn't be sure what it was.  I turned over to KCAL and saw a graphic which said the girls were found safe. Then over to KNBC which was in the middle of their interview with Kern County Sheriff's Commander Chris Davis. So I can't be sure if KNBC was first with the information, as well as first with an interview from the KCSO. Based on what I saw on all stations at that moment, it appeared to me that either KNBC or KCAL did have the breaking news first. Obviously it's news that everyone got within minutes. But when you're in that sort of competition, it's nice to be first, even if viewers don't know, or don't care.

HOWEVER, KABC WON THE DAY

5am
KABC        2.36
KCBS        .38
KNBC        2.06

5:30am
KABC        3.42
KCBS        .27
KNBC        2.09
KTTV        2.14
KTLA        .89

6-7am
KABC        3.63
KCBS        .44
KNBC        3.15
KTTV        2.68
KTLA        2.92

NOON-2PM 
KABC        5.10
KCBS        1.81
KNBC        3.59

4pm
KABC        5.46
KNBC        3.67
KCAL        2.2

5PM
KABC        6.82
KCBS        3.21
KNBC        5.24

6PM
KABC        6.49
KCBS        3.57
KNBC        5.19

11PM
KABC        5.9
KCBS        4.36
KNBC        4.77
KCOP        1.78

WHEN NOT TO USE 'SUSPECT'

I read a good explanation of this on NewsBlues a while back, but I'm afraid a lot of reporters still don't get it right.  If you've got the name of the guy who is suspected of doing a crime, then yes, he is a suspect. But last week while the search was on for the kidnapper, KCAL's Josh Rubenstein referred to him as a male suspect.  In that case, it would have been proper to say they're looking for a kidnapper or the kidnapper, not a suspect. Because the unknown guy who did this is more than a suspect, he is a criminal.  At least Rubenstein didn't say alleged suspect.

ADDING TO THE CONFUSION

As we all learned last week, the Amber Alert system had been activated the week before. But then KCAL's Michele Gile explained that the CARE Alert (an older Orange County version of  Amber Alert system) will soon be statewide. But everyone else was saying it started the week before.  But the way she kept referring to the CARE Alert, I almost had the feeling that there would be two statewide systems...CARE and Amber. I know that's not true. But when her story was over, anchor Mia Lee commented something like "CARE or Amber, whatever you call it"....it works, or it's important...I don't recall the second half of her comment.  But my point it, Gile could've been more clear.

PROMOTING ANNA NICOLE 

I guess everyone is having a certain amount of fun, mixed in with amazement, at the very high rating that Anna Nicole Smith got on her first show for the E Channel. I would not be surprised to see her end up like the XFL....a large first week audience out of curiosity, falling each week after that.  Anyway,  in promoting a story about her last week, The Fox New Channel referred to her "boob tube debut." I guess they're no more subtle than she is. Of course there are those who think Bill O'Reilly should be connected with the boob tube too, but for entirely different reasons.

TOO LOUD

It's bad enough when TV reporters feel they need to insert music to tell their  stories and theoretically manipulate the audience with that music. But recently, KNBC aired a story by outside reporters on trouble at San Pedro High School. I only saw part one, and it looked pretty well done, except for their background music. At one point it was so loud, I had trouble understanding what the speaker was saying.  I suppose I'm in the minority on this one, but I think if you can't tell a story well without music,  you need to take a second look at what you've got.  When was the last time 60 Minutes used background music to tell a story?  And who does better TV Journalism than they do?

GOOD TO SEE THE RESTRAINT

On KNBC, Conan Nolan was recently co-anchoring with Furnell Chatman. The live reporter, Marti Johnson, finished by saying "back to you in the studio Furnell." However it was Nolan's turn to read. The remarkable thing is that he did NOT say "I'll take it here." Gee...if anchors are going to stop saying that, there's no point in me copyrighting the phrase.

IS IT POSSIBLE?

Could we hear a story about Martha Stewart without her being called a domestic diva? 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Who:  Spokesman for the National Restaurant Association

What: (regarding the lawsuit against fast food restaurants) "This lawsuit gives frivolous a bad name."

BROADCASTEZE VIOLATION

Who: David Ono

Where:  KABC

What: "claimed the life...."

Put your hand on the monitor and count to three.....one, two, three....HEAL!!

YOUR OPINIONS

They are always welcome.  Please include your first and last name. 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.

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