Commentary on Television Programming the week of June 4 thru 10

by Dan Perkins

I like to keep a television on in my office so I can stay up on news that develops during the day.  Unlike most of my friends and colleagues, I’m not a pay for TV kind of guy, so I don’t see much of CNN or MSNBC.  I grew up in an era when television was free, and I like it that way.

But the television industry has undergone dramatic changes in the last 20 year; and as you probably know, the network news anchors just completed a major round of musical chairs.  Recently, Katie Couric left NBC’s TODAY SHOW to fill the post vacated by Dan Rather at CBS.  When she comes off of her summer vacation, Katie will be the first woman to anchor a network prime time news show, although other women who have held co-anchor posts.

Elizabeth Vargus at ABC did an outstanding job co-anchoring and then anchoring WORLD NEWS TONIGHT after Bob Woodward was injured in Iraq.

While the evening news shows are still the flag ship broadcasts for the three networks, it is the morning news shows that allow the networks to comfortably blend coverage of important news events with entertainment-oriented information.  Last year, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, went on the high seas in support of Disney’s cruise line venture.  Disney, which owns ABC, frequently uses the ABC network and its news programs to support Disney-related businesses.

Over the past ten years, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between real news and entertainment news on American television.

On Friday, June 7th, ABC said goodbye to Meredith Vieira, who left THE VIEW to join the cast of the TODAY show later in the fall.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with THE VIEW, it is a daily, mid-morning, hour-long show that features four women of different backgrounds who gather together to talk about news, events, entertainment and just about anything else that crosses their minds.  The show is the brain-child of Barbara Walters, who has long been celebrated as one of America’s leading female journalists.

At one point in time, being America’s leading female journalist was a prestigious point of distinction, but the distinction no longer carries much weight.  In recent years, journalists have become almost as reviled as lawyers.  Many Americans see journalists as exploitive, manipulative and down-right untrustworthy.  Dan Rather’s gaff in reporting an incident allegedly involving the administration last year not only ended his career, but also reinforced the public’s growing disdain for the media, especially journalists.

Somehow, the public’s contempt for reporters has eluded the "B's" - the “Big Boys” who run the networks.  If you want proof, just look at ABC's farewell show for Vieira.  The show was nothing short of embarrassing - both for the network and for the women of THE VIEW.

The concept was to have a Friar’s Club-style roast for Vieira, and the show began with an introduction of the “roasters.”

When the announcer introduced Joan Rivers as a celebrity roaster, it seemed like an omen that had hung over from the release of the film, the Omen, on 06-06-06. (I know, it's not quite the same as 6-6-6, but it was a nice try.)

Moments after Rivers opened her mouth, a blue-hue fell over the broadcast, which took a decidedly ugly turn when Rivers began  referring to the women of THE VIEW as (a plural versio of “the B-word”). Rivers was immediately followed by another roaster, Mario Cantone, who then repeatedly and tastelessly used “the B-word.”

The low moment of the show came when co-host Joy Behar began suggesting lesbian affection towards Vieira.  She not only kissed Vieira on the mouth, she also groped her.  While the exchange between the two women might have been intended as innocent fun, the cut away to Vieira’s husband and children who were seated in the front row revealed the bit’s unintended effect.  The embarrassed, bewildered and uncomfortable expressions on the faces of Vieira’s immediate family made it clear that the roast was not appropriate for the family, or, might I add, a midday television audience.

The moment was so uncomfortable that Vieira turned to her children and assured them that Joy was just playing and that their mother was not a lesbian.

Talk about an ugly moment, ouch!

Vieira, on the other had, dished back as hard as she received. Over her nine years with THE VIEW, Vieira has had little qualms about showing her raunchy side to television audiences.

I recall one broadcast where she declared she didn’t wear panties.  It was a memorable but unfortunate comment, one that I would have preferred missing.

I must confess that I will have difficulty exorcising that piece of information from my mind when I see Vieira interviewing dignitaries and other news makers on the TODAY show.

Yes, the “B’s” just don’t get it, and I’m not referring to the Women of THE VIEW, I referring to the Broadcasters at ABC and other networks who don’t seem to understand that the demographics of America and television audiences consist of more than ignorant, lazy, over-sexed 18 to 25 year olds.

I’m certainly not the only person in America who wants to receive news and information from people of integrity and people who are worthy of respect.

While everyone loves to have fun, there is an time and place for everything.  Locker room humor belongs in the locker room, and not at the breakfast table.

Women want and deserve respect, but the women of THE VIEW, or any other broadcast, cannot expect to be respected if they conduct themselves in a manner that is unworthy of respect.

After watching THE VIEW sporadically over the past nine years, I find it extremely difficult hold Barbara Walters in high regard after seeing her numerous times on THE VIEW acting like someone who has little more than a junior high school education.

Walters is entitled to act up as much as she wants when she is off camera and with a close circle of friends, but when she is in the public’s eye, the public has the right to make an assessment of her – both as a person and a professional.

While I’m not the biggest fan of Ellen Degeneres, I like the fact that her daily talk show reflects who she is as a person, and I appreciate her ability to engage in zany conversation with a wide range of guests.  But I am not going to look to Ellen to conduct an interview with a head of state.  Ellen is an entertainer, not a journalist.

The women of THE VIEW, Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones Reynolds and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, have all entertained their audiences with their lively commentaries and performances, but Star Jones Reynolds might be the only host to consistently conduct herself in a manner befitting a real journalist.

Interestingly, Jones Reynolds and Elisabeth Hasselbeck were the only two cast members who did not engage in the roast of Vieira.

When Vieira’s son spoke about his experiences on the set of THE VIEW, he recalled times the he spent with “Auntie Star,” and others on the show.  Star responded with a tear and then with kind and loving words for the parting Vieira.

If the “B’s,” (the Boys in Broadcasting) truly got it, they would know that in business, service providers must have the respect of their clients.  News anchors are service providers and unless they conduct themselves in ways that are worthy of respect, they will not be able to deliver their product and service effectively. 

It seems that a lot of “Bs,” (Boys in Broadcasting), are interested in the dumbing down of America; and sadly, it seems as though they’re succeeding.

All I can do is thank Star Jones Reynolds for adding a little dignity to THE VIEW’s Friday broadcast.

While I wish Meredith success in her new venture, I wish I didn’t have any knowledge of her preferences in under garments, or lack their of.  It’s a little piece of information I hate having in my head as I enjoy my morning coffee.

THE END