I have it set up so that every morning I receive, via text message, the world news headlines. It's usually a grim way to start my day '24 killed in Iraq, massive quake rocks Pakistan, air plane crashes in Nigeria.' I like to think that reading those headlines makes me more thankful for my life. In reality the headlines usually make me think that the world is ending, but maybe now I will start to be more thankful. Anyway, so this morning I woke up and checked out the headlines. I wanted to know more about the clashes in Cairo. My good friend Dahlia lives in Cairo I want to make sure that everything is OK there. I got ready for work and whilst eating my cereal I pop on the telly to CNN and hope that they mention the story.
Boy was I wrong.
I am not sure if any of you have ever caught the CNN Headline News morning show, Robin & Company. From today's viewing I can tell you that Robin & Co are more about showing off how the guys there have mastered some motion graphics program than how good they are at reporting news. I am not bashing Ted and his lovely network, their international website is great. But in the morning when I don't have enough time to turn on my computer and read the news I would like to be able to get some decent international news via the telly. What's going on in Hollywood is not something that CNN should have segments dedicated to. I do believe you can get all your Hollywood gossip on E! for those who can't go a day without knowing who is screwing who in the CF we call Hollywood.
The more I watch the news the more I want to smack the person in charge. Where is the actual news? I don't care what the anchor looks like as long as they can give me some high quality news. That's all I ask. I once watched a video in Mass Comm class about how consulting firms are making major fundage because wanna be news anchors are going to them and asking advise on what they can do to be #1. According to them being a size 2 and having puffy hair was the key. The sad thing was that she did get the job after her makeover. Seriously . . .
I always thought that journalism was supposed to be about bringing the common man news from beyond his neighborhood. I watch the news to know what is going on in the world, not to see 2 people chat about New Year's Eve plans. Robin is almost scary with all of her makeup on. She is not fooling me with her trendy hair and laptop. Sadly our country is not alone in having the cheesy morning news shows. On BBC1 they have something similar to Robin & Co. What is the deal with this? Do the masses not want the real news in the morning? Do that many people want to start their day with fluff human interest pieces about a boy who saved a cat from the tree? There has to be more people out there who demand more from their news media outlets. I mean major things are happening all over right now and all that Robin can tell me are specs on the Time Square Ball?
Ohh I can't wait till I am president. That or a millionaire so I can start my own 24 hour news network. (And national mag-lev train company called Vite.)
Have a good one kids. Be safe.
See you in 2006.
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2 comments:
I try to time my morning routine so that I can watch the BBC World News that KETC (pbs) airs at 5am and at 6:30 am. That, unfortunately for me, does not often work out - so I do end up on CNN Headline News. Robin seems very gifted at talking about the latest entertainment news or flirting with a co-anchor. Michael Jackson? Natalee Holloway? Interviewing Dr. Phil? She's on it, leaving any semblance of real news to the ticker running at the bottom of the screen. Three or four word snippets like "bird flu rampant" or "oil prices skyrocket" are all you really need to know about the top stories, right?
I think the last time I stopped ironing to watch what Robin & Co had to offer I ended up vomiting a little in my mouth. It was great.
The 5 and 6:30 showings are just a little too early for my liking. I am more likely to catch the 5 or 11 pm showings. I found though, as far as a source for morning information, that one is better off watching the Catoon Network. It's just like Robin and Co only is doesn't leave vomit in your mouth.
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