Networks to Ignore Ann Romney RNC Speech
August 23rd, 2012 12:56 PM
After expanding their nightly coverage of the major political party conventions in 2008, the nation’s broadcast networks have decided to cut back this year. As a result, Ann Romney, wife of Republican candidate Mitt Romney, will be completely ignored when she speaks at the GOP convention next Monday in Tampa, Florida.
Between them, the broadcast nets still attract a significant plurality of…
Media Obsession With Akin Hits Overdrive: 96 Minutes in Just Three and
August 23rd, 2012 12:05 PM
The media obsession with a gaffe by Congressman Todd Akin continued on Wednesday and Thursday morning. The ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts and morning shows offered five additional segments, bringing the amount of coverage to a massive 96 minutes (and 45 segments) over three and a half days. The disparity between Akin and gaffe-prone Vice President Biden's "chains" controversy from last week…
NBC: 'Great Damage' to GOP 'Trapped in a National Debate About Abortio
August 23rd, 2012 11:41 AM
Eager to keep the Todd Akin controversy alive on Wednesday's NBC Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams declared the Missouri Republican's comments were "inflicting unforeseen and great damage on the national party." Correspondent Andrea Mitchell began her report by proclaiming: "...only days before their convention, Republicans remain trapped in a national debate about abortion and rape." [Listen…
ABC, CBS, NBC Ignore FRC Shooter Corkins's August 22 Indictment
August 23rd, 2012 11:16 AM
"A grand jury indicted Floyd Lee Corkins II, 28, of Herndon, Va., on a federal charge of interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition, and two District of Columbia offenses: assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a handgun during a crime of violence," reported CBS News and the Associated Press yesterday shortly after 5 p.m. Eastern. CBSNews.com carried the story in…
Katie Couric: 'We Have Not Heard Back From Palin's People' About Her C
August 23rd, 2012 10:13 AM
For those that have been sleeping or out of the country, Katie Couric has a new daytime talk show premiering next month.
Likely to no one's surprise, she told NBC Tonight Show host Jay Leno Wednesday, "We have extended an invitation to Governor Palin" to appear. "So far, we have not heard back from their people" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
Leno: Republicans Should 'Bring in Comcast' to 'Get Rid of Congressman
August 23rd, 2012 8:56 AM
NBC Tonight Show host Jay Leno had a suggestion Wednesday for how the Republicans can get Missouri Congressman Todd Akin out of the Senate race for comments he recently made concerning rape.
"Bring in Comcast - they'll get him out of there” (video follows with transcript and commentary):
NBC's Todd Blames 'Tea Party Effect' and GOP 'Infighting' for Akin Con
August 22nd, 2012 5:40 PM
On Tuesday's NBC Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams brought on political director Chuck Todd to give a "damage assessment" for Republicans in the wake of the Todd Akin controversy. Todd attempted to blame the conservative grassroots for the uproar: "...the Tea Party effect....will maybe cost Mitch McConnell a shot at controlling the United States Senate. Their own infighting has done this." […
Frenzied Media Give Four Times More Coverage to Akin Flap Than Biden's
August 22nd, 2012 1:23 PM
A week after giving relatively light coverage to Joe Biden's "chains" smear, the broadcast networks eagerly dove into the Todd Akin controversy, giving over four times more coverage to an uproar involving a statewide (conservative) politician than a controversy involving a national (liberal) politician. NBC, CBS and ABC's evening and morning shows have devoted an astonishing 88 minutes (or 40…
Leno Mocks Obama Controlling Media: Jake Tapper Reads Question From Cu
August 22nd, 2012 10:04 AM
NewsBusters reported Tuesday Barack Obama is now telling reporters what questions to ask of him.
NBC's Jay Leno must have seen this news for the Tonight Show aired a mock video of ABC's Jake Tapper reading a question at Monday's press conference from cue cards held by the President (video follows with transcribed highlights and commentary):
NBC 'Reality Check': 'Effective' Obama Ad Paints Romney as 'Mr. Burns
August 22nd, 2012 9:52 AM
In what co-host Matt Lauer billed as a campaign ad "reality check" on Tuesday's NBC Today, a Romney ad criticizing the Obama administration for gutting Welfare reform was dismissed as ineffective, "too complicated" and "Pants on Fire" false. Meanwhile, an Obama ad slamming Romney over taxes was praised for making Romney look like a cross between wealthy Simpson's villain "Mr. Burns" and an "evil…
‘Days of Our Lives’ To Add Drama with Gay Bullying Storyline
August 21st, 2012 5:01 PM
Fall 2012 TV premieres promise to be laden with gay themes, and daytime soap “Day of Our Lives,” will jump on the same bandwagon. The Huffington Post reported openly gay character Sonny Kiriakis will be part of an anti-gay bullying plotline and will suffer a violent attack.
The plot is in lock-step with other anti-conservative story arcs. Sonny’s assailant will be an old friend, Tad, who…
NBC Panel: If Akin Stays in Senate Race, Romney/Ryan Will Be 'Tarred
August 21st, 2012 2:59 PM
During the Today's Professionals panel segment on Tuesday's NBC Today, attorney Star Jones predicted that if Todd Akin continues his Senate run in Missouri, the entire Republican Party will be branded with his controversial remarks: "If he doesn't [get out], the Romney/Ryan ticket is going to be tarred with this feather for the entire campaign. They sponsored bills together that pretty much…
NBC Declares: 'Women's Issues Are Front and Center Again' and GOP is
August 21st, 2012 1:03 PM
At the top of Monday's NBC Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams proclaimed: "Firestorm. A Congressman's words about rape rocket across the country...women's issues are front and center again." Introducing the lead story moments later, Williams announced how "suddenly" Republican Todd Akin's comments "exploded well beyond the borders of Missouri."
Correspondent Andrea Mitchell began her report…
Jay Leno on Tonight Show Layoffs: 'We've Been Taken Over By Bain Capit
August 21st, 2012 10:18 AM
Jay Leno on Monday addressed the recent announcement that there have been numerous layoffs at NBC's Tonight Show forcing him to take a pay cut to save some of his staff.
Feeling the need to take a cheap shot at presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Leno quipped, “Turns out now we've been taken over by Bain Capital" (video follows with transcript and commentary):