4.04.2006

Television Time-Out #4


When Dan Rather announced his retirement following what many perceived as bias reporting on his behalf, there was a collective sigh of relief around the watercooler at his network. Well, I assume there was a sigh of relief. The CBS Evening News had been trailing NBC and ABC for what must have seemed like forever. In fact, with Rather gone, there began a series of statements by CBS Chairman Les Moonves about changing the traditional news format. This would involve bringing in a younger anchor, with the end goal of attracting a younger demographic. You know, the kids that supposedly buy everything.

Taking Rather's place on a temporary basis has been CBS correspondent Bob Schieffer. Mr. Schieffer has served with CBS since 1969, acting as the Washington moderator on Face The Nation since 1991. And while he is a familiar face to television viewers, I think he has surprised many of us with the degree of professionalism he has brought to the 6:30 newscast. Maybe we had all become so jaded with the lock and jowl mannerisms of Mr. Rather, that we had forgotten that CBS was once the home of the great Walter Cronkite. Or maybe Mr. Schieffer is just really good at what he does. You know. A professional?

The program now features unrehearsed, live discussions between Schieffer and the field correspondents. The anchor has an even approach to the news, but still gives the impression he a human guy and not a stuffed shirt. How unfortunate that the corporation that has so many hit programs under it's belt, as well as the NFL broadcasting contract, seems to fancy the notion Katie Couric is going to transform broadcast journalism as we know it. The rumors seem to be leaning towards booting Bob, and giving Couric the anchor desk. Let's hope this one stays a rumor.

9 comments:

bird said...

I think it is true...:(

I heard them blabbing about it on the radio today.

GetFlix said...
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GetFlix said...

Nooooooooo! I was hoping they forgot, bird. You know they're paying her 24 million or something like that.

Oh well, maybe I am wrong and she'll be a big hit.

Leo Tolstoy said...
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Leo Tolstoy said...

Mr. Scheiffer is the last of a dying breed, a professional journalist and worthy news anchor...so sad. :(

0000 said...

I think Katie Couric is a forgotton Osmond sibling.

v said...

They should've gotten Stephen Colbert!

M-M-M-Mishy said...

Hey, this is good news though. Now when I am flipping through the channels through blurry, sleepy eyes, I don't have to see Katie Couric's super-perky, super-chipper face at 6:00am. It usually makes me super-angry.

And you all just know Meridith Viera is crazy happy that she gets out from the insanity that is Star, Joy, Elisabeth (who I think wants to sleep with George W. Bush) and Mama Babs.

But from what I've seen of Bob Scheiffer (one interview on The Colbert Report) he seems like a really decent dude.

GetFlix said...

Jane, so true. He really wants the anchor job, but is still polite enough to with KC the best.

Idle, you may have something there!!

V, I'll take Colbert over Katie!!

Good point, Mish. Mornings will return to normal.