There’s this thing my grandfather used to say about people who basically don’t know when to shut up: “They just like to hear themselves talk.” That came to mind this past week as the big three networks, CNN, and Fox News let arrogance and punditry rule in “covering” the Democratic National Convention.
Yes, I know the networks’ argument in defending themselves: there isn’t any news being made. We already know who wins the nomination.
But I think that at this point, traditional networks are so entrenched in “format,” snazzy graphics, and letting their high-profile anchors and reporters out of the stable for some exercise in a bigger news paddock, they wound up missing the point.
Sure, we know who the nominees are going to be for the Democrats and the GOP, but let that pony run. Let the speechifying speak for itself. Interview delegates, not other reporters. Let speeches play, and let viewers decide. No, it won’t beat summer reruns, but remember that nutty old “in the public interest thing” you’re supposed to do?
That’s why several politics-watchers I talked to this week admitted they went to PBS channels or C-Span for no-frills coverage. Or if you veer toward the cynical, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart skewered not just the spectacle of a foregone conclusion, but the media coverage, as well.
The big boys forgot to just cover a news event; they let themselves be the focus of that event, and simply blew it.
Here’s hoping that WSOC-TV’s Gimme the Mike is a sign of more local shows outside the realm of news coming from the big three local affiliates. Catrina Pegues belted a Broadway tune to win the local singing contest, a la American Idol, garnering a two-year car lease (c’mon, just give her a car!) and a three-song recording session.
Make that two main anchors WBTV is searching for now. Morning co-anchor Jan Jeffcoat is leaving the station in October after just two years for a new gig in Houston. “I’ve gone as far as I can go here,” she said. “I’ve also lived in the Southeast my whole life, and it’s time I got out of my comfort zone.” Channel 3 also has to find a new 5pm anchor to replace Michael Scott, who left in May.
Stay tuned.
E-mail at Shannon.Reichley@cln.com
This article appears in Aug 4-10, 2004.
