Swimsuit Model Turned Anchorwoman Stirs Controversy

Photo of Noel Sheppard.

As if the world needs another reality television program, Fox will debut “Anchorwoman” – the chronicles of a swimsuit model named Lauren Jones trying to make it in television news – on August 21.

Apparently, Jones’ first scheduled appearance Monday on Tyler, Texas’ KYTX 5PM news -- also taped for later viewing on Fox -- has created quite a controversy.

According to Monday’s Hollywood Reporter (emphasis added throughout, h/t Lost Remote TV Blog, strap yourselves in for some chuckles):

"One of the last sacred grounds of integrity in local television is the local newsroom, so I guess I would say I'm disappointed to see a station, much less one in our own community, that has evidently sold its integrity," said Brad Streit, vp and GM for KLTV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Tyler.

Adds KETK-TV GM Mike DeLier of the NBC affiliate: "I see this as a stunt, and it's a self-admitted stunt and not a journalistic endeavor."

Al Tompkins, broadcast group leader for the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., is more blunt: "It devalues the work of real journalists who are trying to do real work. It doesn't do anything to help the reputation of journalists there and around the world."

Pretty funny, don’t you agree. Fortunately, the station’s General Manager Phil Hurley sees things our way, deliciously commenting:

Journalism credibility? I think that’s somewhat amusing when all I see today on the cable news is Paris Hilton, nonstop,”

Great point, Phil. Yet, maybe the best quote on this issue was the following:

Barbara Cochran, executive director of the Radio-TV News Directors Assn., said that among her concerns is viewers will get a distorted picture of what goes on in a newsroom.

"At a time when journalists are getting a lot of criticism, it's going to present a picture that doesn't show the hard work and deep thought that goes on in every newsroom," Cochran said.

Deep thought? In newsrooms?

Actually, what Barbara and others are probably most concerned about is the likelihood that Jones will be able to read those teleprompters and smile for the cameras with equal aplomb as those making millions doing the very same thing.

For those interested, here is video newscast regarding her first appearance on KYTX.

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.

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correct me if I am wrong

Wasn't there a Nude News web news site with streaming video?

"One of the last sacred grounds of integrity in local television is the local newsroom..."

Integrity and the MSM...that's laughable.

[Better check with Mikey Moore if this actually qualifies as a stunt or not.]

The UK has naked news - it's

The UK has naked news on tv - it's on Sky i think - Murdoch of course - who else...

journalist?

I didn't know newsreaders really considered themselves journalists.  This story is hilarious because it shows how easy it is to read a teleprompter.  Hopefully my local stations will catch on and see how to generate ratings.

Wasn't there a Nude News we

Wasn't there a Nude News web news site with streaming video?

Yes indeed. It's called NakedNews.com, and, in fact, an old friend/coworker of mine is one of their main anchorwomen!

~~~

"The current tax code is harder to understand than Bob Dylan reading Finnegan's Wake in a wind tunnel."-- Dennis Miller

Cavuto

"It won't be that hard," said Cavuto.

...so how are we supposed to

...so how are we supposed to misconstrue that one:)?

Nope.  No  problem here…

Nope.  No  problem here…….  Wait…. Let me look again….

Nope.  No  problem here…….  Wait…. Let me look again….

Nope.  No  problem here…….  Wait…. Let me look again….

Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"

Now THAT is fair and balanc

Now THAT is fair and balanced.

Why this thread is not at lea

Why this thread is not at least 3 pages boggles my mind...

This would ADD to the MSM's integrity, it would be a step up...

Of course when you've hit bottom up is the only place you can go...

Once again, Fox blazes a ne

Once again, Fox blazes a new path to...something.

...blazing their way to anoth

...blazing their way to another ratings bonanza?

If the Amish wouldn't wouldn't watch it...you shouldn't either...

Hopefully BOR will do an in

Hopefully BOR will do an in-depth interview, chop-chop.

I'm sure olby's trying to boo

I'm sure olby's trying to book her for dinner...

Let's get it right this time olby...

If only they  had a sexy fem

If only they  had a sexy female right wing nazi to help mind control us on the radio better, then the Bushistas would have a better chance of taking over our minds! ;)

A free press is one of the first things to go in a totalitarian government. Montana Lyons

...just look what Helen Thoma

...just look what Helen Thomas has done for you...! She's going to sex you up...

Montana the nazi thrower

Montana.  Why do you have to come on to the only TNA thread we've had for about 2 months and f*ck it up with your stupid diatribe?  You sound like a certain flamer who was prefixing virtually everything with "NEO".  Get a life, you shmuck.

Islam should have it's religious status revoked until it can prove it's not a hate group.

You don't like women do you?

You don't like women do you?

Montana, I'm thinking of star

Montana, I'm thinking of starting a croquet blog.  Can I count on you to stop by regularly and make completely off topic anti-Bush comments? 

That whine from one who canno

That whine from one who cannot make a single decision in his life without considering what Gore would do.

Why is it, MT Lyons/rhayes/schmidt, that just because some of us just don't want a Nanny State as badly as you do, that means we are "brainwashed"?  Well?

FIFTEEN DOWN, ONE TO GO...(until the SPURS' FOURTH RING!!!)

TruthMonger...What are you lo

TruthMonger...

What are you looking for, a centerfold?

Prove you can secure our borders first. The only legislation that counts!

at my age i can't be too fuss

at my age i can't be too fussy...

plus my wife would have to approve - and she's VERY picky:)...

Least she is easy on the eyes

Least she is easy on the eyes, she cant be any worst then the educated ones on the alphabet channels

Katie: Some would say she may

Katie: Some would say she may sneak in her own opinions by disguising it by saying 'some would say.'

Rather: She may 'push bra' up the news.

Candy Crowley: Darn it! I guess we're all going to have to raise our skirts a little higher to compete with this b**ch.

"Abbah wawa ditta wawa potata wawa."  - -  Barbara Walters talking with a cookie in her mouth

...let's see how perky Katie

...let's see how perky Katie really is? I'm going to hell for this thread...

"I'm going to hell for t

"I'm going to hell for this thread"

Enjoy this on your way...

Thanks! I think I'll stop int

Thanks! I think I'll stop into Vegas too - what the hell...

We can no longer question t

We can no longer question the integrity of Fox, that's for sure. ;-)

TruthMonger damn straight

Right on, buddy!   It is depressing to see Katie all fem-nazied out..  she has some talent, and it isn't with her 'journalism'. 

PS.  My Wife agrees

Just Spiffy!

Better show us the goods quick - before the ratings hit zero...

Time for the hail mary pass...!

Nude tap-dancing

LOL!  My father always said there should tap-dancing in the nude for news.  Seems as he is right on target.

If your nude you cant tap dan

If your nude you cant tap dance. Your wearing shoes, is should be simi-nude tap dancing. 

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

What i do is nail some metal

What i do is nail some metal plates to the bottom of my foot...it only hurts for a second - like a tattoo...

Fox does a good job of having

Fox does a good job of having babes tell us the news too, It actually helps hypnotize the unsuspecting stepford children.

A free press is one of the first things to go in a totalitarian government. Montana Lyons

Montana: If you feel hypnotiz

Montana: If you feel hypnotized, turn away!

doubt Monty has ever watched FOX

I doubt that Monty has ever watched FOX News or any of the other programming. I am sure he is just regurgitating liberal TP's about FNC.

I know, LionKing. Montana has

I know, LionKing. Montana has to realize that just because he's a hit on Senselessopinion.org, doesn't mean he can transfer that success here.

We have a floater in the bowl

We have a floater in the bowl...

I repeat we have a floater in the bowl...

Darn 1.8 Gallon-per-flush g

Darn 1.8 Gallon-per-flush gov't toilets!

But, then again, I doubt that a 5 gallon-a-flush toilet could handle all the s*** that Monty spews.

Tim,Actually, for that kind o

Tim,

Actually, for that kind of a load, you'll be needing this.  :-)

Build the damn fence, George!

Satisfaction guaranteed, or d

Satisfaction guaranteed, or double your load back!

Hey Montana, been to Venezuel

Hey Montana, been to Venezuela lately?

It's your precious socialists who restrict the free press...just so you know...

I'll put ten bucks on it that

I'll put ten bucks on it that she'll gain more credibility than Dan Blather and the entire CBS news division.

I'll raise you twenty. She

I'll raise you twenty. She can give me the news anytime she wants.

Integrity of MSM

Look out talk radio.  TV news may have something to offer again.

Scary thought!!!!!!What if He

Scary thought!!!!!!

What if Helen Thomas did her reporting sitting on a desk like the above anchor-babe?

Prove you can secure our borders first. The only legislation that counts!

D*mn, ct!  I didn't need tha

D*mn, ct!  I didn't need that visual this late in the evening. Just D*mn!

"A communist is someone who reads Marx.  An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx."  Ronald Reagan

News Babes

Actually CNN paved this road.  Has anyone turned on CNN Headline news during the afternoons lately?  Sex sells and I love capitalism.

Who in particular are you tal

Who in particular are you talking about?

Ok, I admit, I have SUCH a crush on Betty Nguyen. But then I have a weakness for cute anchors.

Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!

News Anchors

What about Nancy Hicks-Gribble?

And even as they
did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over
to a reprobate mind,
Then they will be
called liberals!

Of course, how could I forget

Of course, how could I forget. I've always liked her charm over Luanne. (nothing against luanne)

Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!

Swimsuit Model

While I HATE 'reality' television, this could be interesting.  It should be looked at as a stunt.  Which is exactly what it is.  Newsreaders are air-heads anyway.  So, who cares if they read lies clothed or not?  IMO this country is too prudish anyway.  You can't say "shit" on television, but I can turn the channel and watch somebody get their head blown off...?  And heaven FORBID a nipple be visable anywhere.  I better be careful, my libertarian is showing..   

After further analysis, those anti-gravity boobs don't look real.  Bummer.

Her website also promotes "Haterwear"  what..?

Spiff,LMAO-What, you mean bo

*

Yes! More nipples!She'll re

Yes! More nipples!

She'll report. You decide.

Where's a CBS "wardrobe

Where's a CBS "wardrobe malfunction" when you need it?

Didn't you hear? That's a n

Didn't you hear? That's a new series on Fox this fall: "When Wardrobes Malfunction."

Sounds heartwarming...maybe l

Sounds heartwarming...maybe like fear factor...

Oh, i thought it was about th

Oh, i thought it was about the time the Pensive children were sent to middle-earth by accident.

(sorry if i just geeked anyone out there)

Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!

Noel, One thing you missed. T

Noel, One thing you missed. The News Anchor woman that introduced her in the story is herself the 2002 Miss Texas, Lisa Spooner.  Don't get me wrong, the few times I have watched this news channel Spooner seems to have her head on straight. The weather man on this station also has a dog that regularly appears as well.  Its kinda quirky. Having a Weather Dog that is.

"...The Democrats love chaos. The Republicans love order and discipline and waiting your turn."  Chris Matthews on "Gregory Live"  as reported by Scott Whitlock 16MAY2007 blog "Matthews Rips..."<

Human nature strikes again

The people who run these stations aren't stupid.  They know that if they pick the right news hottie...er...anchorwoman...there ratings can go up by locking up the 48% or so of the audience that is male. 

Back in the day, I shamelessly admitted that I selected my local news channels on such criteria.  But then, as a single heterosexual male, I can get away with that.  :-)

FIFTEEN DOWN, ONE TO GO...(until the SPURS' FOURTH RING!!!)

She looks like the maid I wan

She looks like the maid I wanted to hire so the wife wouldent have so much to do at home, wife vetoed tho. My eyes are still black.

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

Deep thought? In newsrooms? T

Deep thought? In newsrooms?

The deepest thought that has occurred in a newsroom in this country over the last thirty years is which toppings to order on the pizza.

BTW-I can't believe Debra hasn't swerved in here and informed us that we are all going straight to Hell.  :-O

Build the damn fence, George!

Well it's about time they s

Well it's about time they started to put some "class" into the News! Long over due if you ask me. Anyhooo.. why didn't you jerks email me about this thread? I guess I know who my real buddies are!

"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...

MM, you ain't got a friend in

MM, you ain't got a friend in the world.

Just kidding, guy.  Most of us guys are just selfish when it comes to eye candy.

"A communist is someone who reads Marx.  An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx."  Ronald Reagan

:-) BTW Mike, Happy Newsbu

:-) BTW Mike, Happy Newsbuster Birthday to ya!!

"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...

Hey Noel,&quot;At a time when

Hey Noel,

"At a time when journalists are getting a lot of criticism, it's going to present a picture that doesn't show the hard work and deep thought that goes on in every newsroom," Cochran said.

Of course, it’s neither the work viewers will want hard nor the thought they contemplate as deep, although the latter comes quite close.

That said -- what’s wrong with a news-show wherein even a high body-count tsunami can have a happy ending?

Punching Out!

Give a Liberal a thought and he'll repeat it mindlessly all day.  Teach a Liberal to think for himself and he'll vote Republican (or, preferably, Libertarian) for the rest of his life.

SpinyNorman

Spiny,

I've been waiting several hours for someone to make that marvelous observation. :-)   ns

They hate when their lack of

They hate when their lack of journalistic credentials is revealed!

Her commentary might not be

Her commentary might not be much worse than Katie C's or Baba Wawa's on any given evening. There are very few distaff anchorettes worthy of attention---except maybe in the glam dept.