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: "I don't know if this is attributable to Rick, but it seems to me that in the last week the show has a little bit of a harder edge, a little bit of a faster pace."
That set Imus off on an anti-Couric tirade: "It's unwatchable. And it's unwatchable because she's unwatchable. I'm sure she's a nice lady, but I mean . . ."
View video here.
KURTZ: "She certainly wasn't deemed to be unwatchable when she was #1 at the "Today" show for over ten years."
IMUS: "That's a completely different deal. Doing little stupid chit-chat stuff on an idiotic morning show on NBC has nothing to do with sitting down and doing the news. That's big-boy television."
KURTZ: "Katie Couric, like Charlie Gibson during all the years when he was on 'Good Morning America,' also interviewed presidential candidates, heads of state and all that as well as cooking and . . . "
IMUS: "This is pathetic. This is unbelievable."
A bit later, Kurtz passed along a bit of condescension toward Middle America from Rick Kaplan: "He told me . . . he thinks that there is a chunk of the audience that, for whatever reason, is not comfortable getting their news from a woman at 6:30 and this is one of the attitudes they have to change."
The MSM: bringing cultural enlightenment to the benighted reaches of flyover America. Kaplan might want to start in Imus' neck of the woods.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Mark, I just absolutely love Kaplan's unabashed arrogance.
March 19, 2007 - 08:49 ET by acaiguanaMark, I just absolutely love Kaplan's unabashed arrogance.
Krutz: ". . . he thinks that there is a chunk of the audience that, for whatever reason, is not comfortable getting their news from a woman at 6:30 and this is one of the attitudes they have to change."
If Kaplan really said that and believes it the mess at CBS is not going to go away.
What an arrogant condescending fool.
ACA
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Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
We knew going in that Couric
March 19, 2007 - 09:27 ET by GalvanicWe knew going in that Couric was in a no-lose situation. If CBS's ratings went up, it would be attributed to her. And when ratings continued to slide, it was attributed to some unsubstantiated accusation of anti-woman bias in Middle America.
They just don't want to consider the possiblility that they picked the wrong woman. After all, they invested over $10 million/year on this horse, haven't they? How could they be wrong?
Not surprisingly, that's the same strategy Hillary Clinton's campaign is banking on. Her critics will be slammed with charges of sexism.
You hit the nail on the head
March 19, 2007 - 13:46 ET by Darth DutchYou hit the nail on the head Galvanic.
Let's also remember that Bill O'Reilly went from "Inside Edition" to Fox News, so it's not as if people outside the "news" industry cannot break into it and make it.
Dutch
Maybe they should get their n
March 19, 2007 - 10:21 ET by FastEdMaybe they should get their news from this guy!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
I've got a young one that is prettier that this one. FastEd
March 19, 2007 - 10:55 ET by acaiguanaI've got a young one that is prettier that this one. FastEd
I'm a little worried about his lifespan. He keeps eating the flowers that the rest of the household like. But so far, with a little lettuce and yelling, he's been able to curb that habit.
ACA
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Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
That youngster is this one is
March 19, 2007 - 13:31 ET by FastEdThat youngster is this one is it?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
You keep 'em coming FastEd. I'm really enjoying the photos.
March 19, 2007 - 14:10 ET by acaiguanaYou keep 'em coming FastEd. I'm really enjoying the photos.
Actually, that's the next door neighbor. We are quite ecclectic here.
ACA
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Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Actually, wating for an "
March 19, 2007 - 14:14 ET by FastEdActually, wating for an "I" report so's I can post the others, where appropriate. - Maybe tomorrow, after the ShrubReport?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
I think you guys have fallen
March 19, 2007 - 11:14 ET by dscottI think you guys have fallen for Imus's slight of hand. By focusing on her style and not the substance, Imus basically has framed the criticism away from the Network and it's liberal message to Katie's style and the non-acceptance of the public. The fact that someone actually accuses the public of not being comfortable with a woman presenting the news is total tripe, a red herring from the real issue. What Imus and the liberal Networks don't want to address and confront is their failure to be responsible and truthful with the American Public. The fact that Fox News is dominating the airwaves speaks volumes of the public's disgust with bias reporting. The American Public has voted with the clicker, the libs are a minority in their opinions and outlook, and the libs can't accept it.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
dscott - the Libs are under the illusion they are ahead due to
March 19, 2007 - 11:19 ET by acaiguanadscott - the Libs are under the illusion they are ahead due to 2006.
They don't realize that the conservatives stayed home for the most part.
But I agree with you.
ACA
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Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Turnout is what determines an
March 19, 2007 - 12:13 ET by dscottTurnout is what determines any race. Midterms are notorious for having low turnout and is the principle reason why Karl Rove's strategy failed. We the stalwarts (and the uber left) will always show up on election day, the moderates who are less committed and understand even less of their importance pretend voting is like only going to church on the holidays. When it comes down to it, the only difference between the beliefs of moderates in this country and that of we the right is the committment to vote. We believe mostly the same things, which is another thing which libs are want to address much less acknowledge. America is a conservative nation in it's views, however, committment to act is what distinquishes a person on the Right from a Moderate (fence sitter). This is why we heard the libs trying to discourage people from voting in 2006 and saying the race was already decided.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
The comment would be accura
March 19, 2007 - 13:14 ET by Tim the EnchanterThe comment would be accurate if he (Krutz) had said: ". . . he thinks that there is a chunk of the audience that,
for whatever reason, is not comfortable getting their news from THAT woman
at 6:30, or at any other time, and this is one of the attitudes they have to change."
All of America
March 19, 2007 - 08:53 ET by dagdaThat "chunk of America" is all of America who is uncomfortable watching her. I am not sure where her numbers are strong, but she is surely not doing well enough in any demographic to justify her paycheck.
Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. Dwight Eisenhower
MSM
March 19, 2007 - 09:06 ET by iveseenitallThese people are in almost risible collapse. Imus and Kaplan are a joke. Couric is too. These overpaid jackasses truly believe what they say is important. Millions of people with decent vocabularies and some presence could do what they do ( probably much better). There's no such thing as talent in the field of "jounalism" today. It's nothing but shoddy research, political bias, and back yard gossip. Fact and opinion have melted together so that the difference is invisible. Americans deserve much better than what they are given by the MSM.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Pot Calling the Kettle Black
March 19, 2007 - 09:33 ET by dagdaPersonally I find Imus as unwatchable or unhearable as 'perky' Katie. BTW, why isn't he doing the "big boys" news at 6:30?
Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow. Dwight Eisenhower
You don't know what your talk
March 19, 2007 - 14:18 ET by Squalls BladeYou don't know what your talking about, Imus has the best morning show on T.V. period. Don't tell me you watch that crap that is Fox and Friends, that show has more political bias then anything Imus does. Imus kills everybody and is a great interviewer, try watching the show.
Democracy is not enough. If the culture dies, the country dies. - Pat Buchanan
You forgot
March 19, 2007 - 14:31 ET by RJYou forgot to say <sarc. off> ;^>
The answer here lies in Kat
March 19, 2007 - 09:08 ET by MightyMouthThe answer here lies in Katie's middle name: "Perky". Who wants perky after a long day of work?? I just want blood, guts and bad news to make me feel better about myself.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
All the dinner hour network n
March 19, 2007 - 10:36 ET by Chris NormanAll the dinner hour network news shows are like zombies - dead, but still walking. CBS, who tried to screw around with the formula, has just accelerated their show's permanent demise...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Visions of news anchors, but
March 19, 2007 - 10:44 ET by FastEdVisions of news anchors, but the left would never allow it - friends and professional courtesy. 'tis a shame.
Another thought - how news anchors SHOULD be treated, seen, but not heard!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Ed,Ah, the good old days... :
March 19, 2007 - 11:00 ET by Chris NormanEd,
Ah, the good old days... :)
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
The left puts "Perky&quo
March 19, 2007 - 10:46 ET by EdhenryThe left puts "Perky" on evening news so that how one "feeeels" is more important than facts. (maybe Rove is behind this). Shows how weak & co-dependent they are.
Mark, don't let Perky see you located her residence in mid-town, rather than "Upper" east or west side. She would be terrified/mad/insecure if she saw her address deteriorate to mid-town.
Maybe Katie needs to follow this example. :-) ACA
March 19, 2007 - 11:05 ET by acaiguanaMaybe Katie needs to follow this example. :-) ACA
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Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
aca, Katie is trying to IMP
March 19, 2007 - 11:33 ET by MightyMouthaca, Katie is trying to IMPROVE her ratings. IMPROVE, not run people off!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
CBS just cannot bring itself
March 19, 2007 - 11:48 ET by Dave RCBS just cannot bring itself to admit they have a dud on their hands-two if you count Kaplan
If Kaplan thinks he is going to shame us into watching The Perky One simply out of male guilt, he is sadly mistaken.
Bet Kaplan doesn't last a year, if even that.
This republic will not survive the continued neglect of its people.- Neal Boortz.
I realize I'm dating myself
March 19, 2007 - 16:35 ET by motherbeltdelete
I realize I'm dating myself
March 19, 2007 - 16:37 ET by motherbeltI realize I'm dating myself by mentioning this, but does anyone else remember Couric's interview with Bob Dole in 1996? She was haranguing him about something (tobacco companies, I think) , and he said something about her conduct amounting to campaigning for the other side, which was outside FCC rules. Anyway, you should have heard the uproar. Big bad Bob Dole was picking on sweel little Katie Couric!! What a bully! So way back then, she wanted to do the tough stuff, but when she got it dished back at her, everyone went ballistic.
This is the problem....everyone sees Katie Couric as the nice girl in the morning. They don't want her doing hard news. People don't really object to getting hard news from a woman, but people get used to seeing TV people in certain roles, and tend to freeze them there. I think the network was really rowing upstream with this one from the beginning. The same people that loved Katie in the morning, won't necessarily love her behind the big desk in the evening. Won't even matter if she wears her "smart glasses" for the entire newscast.
So people don't watch Katie C
March 19, 2007 - 19:40 ET by dahliatraversSo people don't watch Katie C. because they are troglodyte misogynists. Thank you for clearing that up, Rick.
I know I'm late, but: IMUS:
March 20, 2007 - 01:24 ET by old croI know I'm late, but:
IMUS: "That's a completely different deal. Doing little stupid chit-chat stuff on an idiotic morning show on NBC has nothing to do with sitting down and doing the news. That's big-boy television."
"Doing little stupid chit-chat stuff on an idiotic morning show" = Imus self portrait!
"If you aren't making any mistakes, it's a sure sign you're playing it too safe."
- John Maxwell