Vieira to McCain About War Opponents: 'What Are We Missing
From the moment she participated in an anti-war march in NYC at the time of the 2004 GOP convention, there's been little doubt as to where Meredith Vieira stands on Iraq. Even so, it was something of a shock to hear the "Today" co-host express her opposition in the first person plural this morning.Discussing the war with Sen. John McCain [R-AZ] at about 7:05 AM ET this morning, she said:"Six…
Attorney Firing Flap: Pete Williams Has Monica Lewinsky on His Mind
Paging Dr. Freud . . .On this morning's "Today," NBC's Pete Williams engaged in slip that would have made Sigmund proud, so let's bring in the father of modern psychotherapy to analyze it. After all, he's only been dead for 68 years, plenty fresh enough for purposes of punditry.Williams had scored quite a journalistic coup, an exclusive sit-down with embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.…
Lauer: Iraq Funding Cut Would Be 'Disaster
Matt Lauer said the right thing. Was it for the wrong reason?Discussing on this morning's "Today" with Tim Russert the current wrangling between the Bush administration and the Dem congress over a bill to fund the Iraq war and the Dems' attempt to include a "date certain" for troop withdrawal, Matt Lauer said:"Robert Gates, the Defense Secretary, has said that sometime next month that the…
Imus: 'Unwatchable' Couric Can't Do 'Big Boy' Evening News
After his comments this morning, if Don Imus ever gets invited to a party on the terrace of Katie Couric's midtown apartment overlooking Central Park, he would be well advised not to get too close to the ledge. Chatting with Imus on MSNBC at 8:45 ET this morning about the travails of the CBS Evening News and the advent of Rick Kaplan as its executive producer, media maven Howard Kurtz observed…
Dismissing Signs of Progress, ABC, NBC Paint Dismal Portrait of Iraq
Keying off the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war this Tuesday, the networks will be running overviews of the situation there all week. Judging by the opening salvos this morning on ABC and NBC, you might when tuning in want to hide the sharp objects and keep the Zoloft handy. The picture painted is ceaselessly dismal, with any bright spots ignored or explained away.Take the report by ABC's…
The NewsBusters Weekly Recap: March 10 to
The big three networks seem to have found religion. Bush-bashing religion, but faith nonetheless. ABC’s "Good Morning America" and "Nightline" highlighted Mayan "spiritual leaders" who protested a visit by President Bush to Guatemala.The two shows focused on the "evil spirits" that the President supposedly brought and worried that the Commander in Chief has "angered the gods." NBC’s "Today" noted…
