During her fawning one-hour show devoted to promoting Michelle Obama’s new memoir on Thursday, daytime host and Democratic activist Ellen DeGeneres put together a montage of liberal journalists showering the former First Lady with adoring coverage throughout Barack Obama’s administration. DeGeneres told Mrs. Obama that the purpose of the sycophantic video was to celebrate her “amazing impact.”
Returning from a commercial break, DeGeneres proclaimed: “We are back with my friend, Michelle Obama. And I hope you know what an amazing impact that you’ve had on this country and all over the world.” The liberal comedian continued to heap effusive praise on her guest as she teed up the video: “As First Lady, as just a human being that we all look up to, and you inspire all of us. So, we put together a little something for you to just show you how amazing you are.”
Much of the slickly produced mash-up featured soundbites from journalists, including Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Diane Sawyer, and Savannah Guthrie. Roberts declared Mrs. Obama to be a “force of nature.” Showing coverage of President Obama’s 2009 Inauguration, an unidentified reporter could be heard announcing: “When she is set foot on Pennsylvania Avenue, Michelle Obama captivated the country.”
A clip ran of Stephanopoulos eagerly asking: “And what does she have planned next?” Sawyer, his fellow ABC News journalist, gushed: “A lot of hearts pounding among a lot of young designers.” As the audio ran, news headlines flashed on screen crowing Obama “The First Lady of Style.”
Beyond the superficial topics, a clip was featured of NBC’s Guthrie interviewing Obama in 2010, fretting that the debate over ObamaCare had “turned ugly” due to conservative opposition. The First Lady could be seen responding: “That’s not what people need the First Lady and the President to be, is personally offended by criticism. They need people who are going to roll up their sleeves and work and get the job done.”
As the montage wrapped up, text appeared on screen touting the success of Obama’s initiatives as sound of her giving a speech ran in the background.
Following the taped segment, DeGeneres’ in-studio audience roared with cheers and applause as they gave Obama a standing ovation.
The only promotion of Obama’s memoir that could possibly rival DeGeneres was CBS This Morning host Gayle King and her Democratic pal Oprah Winfrey falling all over themselves to hawk the book on Wednesday.
ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today show also provided friendly forums over the past week for the former First Lady to sell her book.
Here are excerpts of the gooey montage featured on the November 16 Ellen DeGeneres Show:
3:47 PM ET
ELLEN DEGENERES: We are back with my friend, Michelle Obama. And I hope you know what an amazing impact that you’ve had on this country and all over the world. As First Lady, as just a human being that we all look up to, and you inspire all of us. So, we put together a little something for you to just show you how amazing you are.
(...)
ROBIN ROBERTS: She’s a force of nature.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN A [REPORTER]: The multi-faceted.
ROBERTS: On a mission.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN B [REPORTER]: Mom-in-chief.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN C [REPORTER]: When she is set foot on Pennsylvania Avenue, Michelle Obama captivated the country.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And what does she have planned next?
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN D [REPORTER]: She’s the cover girl.
DIANE SAWYER: A lot of hearts pounding among a lot of young designers.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN C [REPORTER]: With her signature sleeveless style.
(...)
ROBERTS: Her mission is pretty ambitious, launching a national campaign to get kids healthy.
(...)
3:51 PM ET
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Looking back on the year that was, Mrs. Obama said a heated health care debate, that at times turned ugly, didn’t get to her.
MICHELLE OBAMA: That’s not what people need the First Lady and the President to be, is personally offended by criticism. They need people who are going to roll up their sleeves and work and get the job done.
(...)
