It's probably one of the most awkward things to do for any broadcaster, making that transition from a hard news story about war or a tragic plane crash into a lighter feature story about, say, the latest Hollywood gossip about Bradgelina. It's commonplace on the morning shows for a Meredith Vieira or Diane Sawyer to make that hard turn from a story on Iraq to a piece on the hottest fashion trends, the commonly heard phrase is: "On a lighter note." Well it seems David Gregory, substitute hosting for Matt Lauer on this morning's Today show, hasn't quite mastered that segue. After a Robert Bazell piece about military combat hospitals in Iraq that featured images of wounded soldiers in surgery it was up to Gregory to make that transition, except the story he was throwing to wasn't exactly an upbeat one.
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The following occurred in the 7am half-hour of the January 25th Today show:
Meredith Vieira: "Robert Bazell reporting. And by the way that woman, like all those seriously injured was moved to an Army hospital in Germany. From there the injured often go to the U.S. It is 7:16am and now here's David."
David Gregory: "Meredith thanks. Now switching gears to a lighter note it, it's a murder, rather, actually, not quite a lighter note. Still a difficult topic. It's a murder that sounds like something straight out of a James Bond film but this one's all too real. A Belgian woman is charged with killing a romantic rival by sabotaging her parachute while they were skydiving together. NBC's Keith Miller has more."
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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How about this segue, "H
January 25, 2007 - 11:33 ET by Chris NormanHow about this segue, "Here's a bad event that we haven't as yet found a way to blame President Bush for..."?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Just READ the teleprompter
January 25, 2007 - 11:36 ET by MightyMouthJust READ the teleprompter nitwit. These "journalists" couldn't wipe their own behinds without instructions.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
My Dad's favorite putdown was
January 25, 2007 - 16:33 ET by BufordMy Dad's favorite putdown was "They couldn't pour 'Pee' out of a boot with directions written on the heel". Kinda fits the issue doesn't it?
NBC: Ninnies Bumbling Courage
January 25, 2007 - 11:47 ET by JPR1NBC: Ninnies Bumbling Courageously
Gregory
January 25, 2007 - 12:01 ET by iveseenitallDavid Gregory - Matt Laur, what's the difference? Two liberal morons who haunt the halls of the MSM. Yes sir,true professionals! Just like the rest of our "esteemed journalists", they are incompetent fools. It's sad.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
I prefer No-Balled Commies,
January 25, 2007 - 14:37 ET by Uncle JohnI prefer No-Balled Commies, but yours is good too.
"It isn't that Liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
No Big Craniums. "The
January 25, 2007 - 14:43 ET by MightyMouthNo Big Craniums.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
NBC
January 25, 2007 - 15:57 ET by misterbillNo Ball Cowards
Reminds me of that famous a
January 25, 2007 - 11:55 ET by balboaReminds me of that famous audio of Casey Kasem throwing a hissy fit because he had to go from an upbeat song to a story about a dog dying. AWESOME audio.
Don't make us work for it A
January 25, 2007 - 12:05 ET by MightyMouthDon't make us work for it Amigo, how about a link?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Here it is. (Profanity aler
January 25, 2007 - 12:12 ET by mattmHere it is. (Profanity alert)
"effing" PONDEROUS,
January 25, 2007 - 12:12 ET by GregA"effing" PONDEROUS, man...
It's an honest mistake anyone
January 25, 2007 - 12:04 ET by mattmIt's an honest mistake anyone can make, but it is funny and it does show that these polished newsreaders aren't the superintelligent opinion-leaders they make themselves out as.
The network could avoid this segue' problem by leaving Hollywood gossip to ET, and by separating news categories with commercial breaks or by switching to another anchor...
yea, but will the press hound
January 25, 2007 - 13:00 ET by Conservative in the Artsyea, but will the press hound and hound him to publicly say that he made a mistake, and we need someone to ask him if he should appologize to the families?
Then, if he does appologize, will the press then hound him and hound him about his loosing credibility, and use this as a "sharp contrast to his normal arrogance?"
Obviously not... my point was
January 25, 2007 - 13:52 ET by mattmObviously not... my point was about how this incident reveals the lack of professionalism and journalistic standards of the MSM.
It would be nice if the press would police itself, but since they have been insulated from criticism for so long, they see no need to worry about losing credibility...
But thanks to NB et.al., talk-radio and FNC...they aren't getting away with it as easily anymore...
"Meredeth thanks. Now
January 25, 2007 - 12:04 ET by NetizenCain"Meredeth thanks. Now switching gears to a lighter note it, it's a murder, rather, actually, not quite a lighter note. Hell folks, this really isn't news. This next story won't impact you, your family, friends or co-workers. In fact it has nothing to do with war, religion, policitcs, education, medicine, safety or anything else that you really give a damn about. Meredith, if you're still there, can you even tell me why I'm wasting air time on this stupid crap anyway? You know what? I've had it. I wanted to be a real journalist and instead I spead all day just recapping the same old stuff that half of you read on fark.com or on Drudge. Why do I even come to work? I could've just phone in the news from my bed! So what do you say Meredith... me, you, live cam from my bedroom! Let's get out of here babe! Peace Out!" (Obligatory peace sign, tap to the chest and a kiss)
While this story does appea
January 25, 2007 - 12:22 ET by Tom1969caWhile this story does appeal to our conservative schadenfreude, it's not really a post exposing liberal bias, is it?
We don't like it when the left picks on Bush's verbal missteps. Let this one go. There's bias to be exposed. (Olbermann's on in a few hours; there's something with schadenfreude and bias!)
~~~
VOTE DEMOCRAT!
(It's easier than thinking)
Valid point, but you kind of
January 25, 2007 - 14:31 ET by Hero SquadValid point, but you kind of answer the question why it deserves to be here. Will a verbal misstep like this get 1/10th the play of a Bush verbal misstep that's treated like a national disaster? I'd wager someone like Jimmy Kimmel will nail it, but beyond that, I'm anticipating crickets. The news media will not devour one of its own.
Now if Rush Limbaugh had said it...
I'm not sure even if Rush d
January 25, 2007 - 15:51 ET by balboaI'm not sure even if Rush did the exact same thing it would get this much play. I think people understand that transitions between stories aren't always smooth, and live broadcasts have goofs. Sean Salisbury is getting some heat right now for supposedly saying "Jew" in a derogatory fashion. It's ridiculous because it's obvious he simply garbled some words together.
Balbozo, you make a good apologist for the super-libs
January 25, 2007 - 15:54 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasBalbozo, one thing is for certain, you can be counted on for consistently providing excuses for libs and super-libs alike...anything but that they are guilty of the obvious.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
And the "obvious" t
January 25, 2007 - 16:18 ET by balboaAnd the "obvious" that I'm excusing with this Gregory incident is...?
Balbozo, it is obvious you are an excuse maker
January 25, 2007 - 16:24 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasWhat is obvious bal, is that you are consistently an excuse maker for libs and super-libs whatever the context and can't even bring yourself to accept the obvious with even the most mild faux pax.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
So, you have no answer for
January 25, 2007 - 16:25 ET by balboaSo, you have no answer for my question. Great. Thanks.
Remember balbozo...you deny the obvious
January 25, 2007 - 16:53 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasOh no balbozo, you got the question answered but you have perfected the art of denying the obvious and well...it just passed you by. Now take off the clown suit and sit down for dinner, lunch or breakfast...or whatever meal comes at the time of day you are convincing yourself it may be. You need to get used to your occupational hazzards.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
No, you didn't answer the que
January 25, 2007 - 18:13 ET by balboaNo, you didn't answer the question. Try. Answering. The. Question. What am I excusing Gregory from?
Gawd balbozo, take a bath
January 25, 2007 - 18:18 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasGawd balbozo, go take a bath and try scrubbing some of that stupid off yourself. Even the simple escapes you.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Bal...Rush is not a reporter,
January 25, 2007 - 16:07 ET by bassndudeBal...Rush is not a reporter, dosent do a news show
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I'm aware. Previous poster br
January 25, 2007 - 16:17 ET by balboaI'm aware. Previous poster brought his name up.
Or, as comedian, Bill Engval
January 25, 2007 - 15:24 ET by msh1973Or, as comedian, Bill Engvall said, "Good news for egg lovers". If you haven't heard this comedy piece, find it because it is really funny.
"Here's your sign"
January 25, 2007 - 15:26 ET by Carl Kolchak"Here's your sign" Bill Engvall
One of my favorites. I lov
January 25, 2007 - 15:29 ET by Uncle JohnOne of my favorites. I love when I get a chance to lay that one on someone.
"It isn't that Liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan
Truck driver wedges his 18
January 25, 2007 - 15:35 ET by MightyMouthTruck driver wedges his 18 wheeler under a low bridge. Officer comes up and says: "Stuck?"
Truck driver: "No officer, I was carrying this bridge to Seattle and ran out of gas"!
Here's your sign...
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
DAVID, TAKE 3 DRINKS AND CALL
January 25, 2007 - 15:47 ET by TOEDAVID, TAKE 3 DRINKS AND CALL IMUS IN THE MORNING!