NBC Universal's Zucker: Katie Couric Among 'Most Talented Journalists
Interviewed for the "View from the Top" feature in the May 9 Financial Times, NBC Universal chief executive Jeff Zucker praised CBS "Evening News" anchor Katie Couric, formerly with NBC's "Today" show. Zucker also dismissed any notion that he regretted not buying the Wall Street Journal. Here's an excerpt (portion in italics to denote questions by Financial Times):You worked with Katie Couric […
Meredith Vieira: Does Hillary Worry She Could Be Obama 'Spoiler
NBC's "Today" show added its voice to the chorus of "Get Out Hillary!" chants as its co-host Meredith Vieira asked Clinton's campaign chairman if the New York senator worried that "she could become a spoiler, the longer she stays in the race?"Vieira attempted different variations of the "When will Hillary get out?" line with Terry McAuliffe on Thursday's "Today" show as she pressed: VIEIRA: "Is…
‘Nightly News’ Praises ‘Goliath’ Home Depot’s Demise
How could job loss for 80 small-town residents be a "great story?" When it means the defeat of a "big box" "Goliath" said NBC.On May 7, NBC "Nightly News" gleefully reported the closing of a Home Depot in Brattleboro, Vt. The closure is part of the company's plan to close 15 of its roughly 2,200 stores due to underperformance. NBC portrayed it as "David versus Goliath," and praised the little…
NBC's Ann Curry: John McCain is Old, He's 71. Did I Mention He's
The "Today" show's Ann Curry interviewed Cindy McCain on Thursday morning and got her to promise that the McCain campaign won't go negative. However Curry, herself, repeatedly pressed a point that is sure to be part of a, not-so-quiet, whisper campaign against the Arizona Senator this fall--that he's too old to be President. [audio available here]ANN CURRY: And she laughed when asked if she has…
HuffPo Slams NBC for Not Sensationalizing Eight Belles' Derby Death
On the heels of accusations that the media exploited the death of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, now there are cries that NBC didn't spend enough time on Eight Belles' death. After her second-place finish in Saturday's Derby, the three-year-old filly snapped both ankles and was euthanized by a vet on the track. Ruth Hochberger is one of the voices criticizing NBC for their “abysmal” coverage…
'Newsweek' Editor Declares Era of 'American Exceptionalism is Over
NBC's "Today" show invited on "Newsweek International" editor Fareed Zakaria to promote his book "The Post-American World," on Monday's show and during his segment the author depicted the United States as a nation in decline as he declared the "era" of "'American exceptionalism' is over." As examples of America's declining standing in the world the "Newsweek" editor cited such facts as China now…
Rosie O'Donnell: Rev. Wright 'Made Sense to Me'; People 'Confuse Passi
Rosie O'Donnell appeared on the May 5 "Today" show in its fourth hour, claiming that many have confused her "passion for rage" much in the same way as they've misunderstood Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Indeed, claimed the former "The View" co-host, Obama's former pastor "made sense to me." [Audio available here.] O'Donnell also defended Wright's conspiracy theory view on AIDS, chalking that up to Wright…
Hedgehog Hillary Hatin' on Oil Companies
The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.—Archilochus (7th-century BC)Mark Penn might not be appearing before the cameras on Hillary's behalf nowadays, but bet that he is beavering away behind the scenes on his polling. And judging from Hillary's dogged [to mix an animal metaphor] performance on this morning's Today, it's obvious the pollster's turned up one big thing: Dem…
Stumped: Hillary Can't Name One Economist Who Supports Her Gas-Tax Hol
My two cents say George Stephanopoulos gave Hillary a harder time than Tim Russert did Obama during their respective appearances on This Week and Meet the Press today. Russert never pinned Obama down on exactly what he knew of Rev. Wright's most controversial assertions and when he knew it.Over on ABC, Stephanopoulos twice challenged Hillary to name a single economist who supported her proposal…
Shameful: 'Today' Plays Heart-Rending 911 Tape of DC Madam's Mother
What legitimate journalistic purpose did this serve? In a segment narrated by Pete Williams on the apparent suicide of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the so-called DC Madam, this morning's Today played the tape of the 911 phone call made by Pelfrey's 76-year old mother, who had discovered her daughter's body. Of all the 911 calls I've heard, this was the most anguished and heart-rending.
Matt Lauer Tours Amsterdam with America-Belittling Dutch TV Host
On Tuesday's installment of the "Today" show's "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" viewers were treated to Lauer strolling by an Amsterdam canal as he talked Dutch politics with a Netherlands' TV host who looked down on America's health care system and the views of "hardcore Republicans" about Holland's legalized prostitution and drugs.The following exchange occurred on the April 29, "Today" show…
