Thursday, June 14, 2007

But at least we have Paris


The only television show I watch with regularity is Keith Olbermann's Countdown on MSNBC. While it makes an invigorating examination of topics most "news" shows would rather not consider, I'm afraid it piddles away its credibility by focusing huge hunks of airtime on gossip topics like Paris Hilton and American Idol. The show often spins the gossip ironically with an angle that says: "We don't like reporting this stupid stuff, but look what everyone else is paying attention too." Still the time and attention given these topics reveals a network's obsession with pleasing an audience, and achieving ratings, at whatever cost.

Jettison the junk news Keith, and your fitting homage to Edward R. Murrow will mean so much more.

Good night and good luck.

No comments: