Comments on: It’s Dan Rather Versus Katie Couric And Les Moonves

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:01:12 +0000

Someone tell traditional network news that the real story was the hitting of the iceberg (24 hour cable, internet, changing lifestyles) awhile back, not a story about rearranging the deck chairs as the ship continues its inevitable sink.

By: kritter

kritter — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:43:13 +0000

Its more than that. Rather is complaining about CBS’ change of direction, making the news lite and bright. Couric’s perky personality was great for a morning show like “Today” but doesn’t fill the anchor bill.

Think back to the anchors that have made a mark on network news by their very presence- Cronkite, Jennings,Rather, Schieffer, David Brinkley. . . . Couric is a light-weight in comparison, and the direction to move towards the celebrity-gossip tabloid shows is regrettable.

CBS ratings are at a 20-year low which should tell them that they need to go back to a serious broadcast and cut the fluff. News does not need to be “fun”. It should inform us about serious issues. Rather is 100% correct.

By: domajot

domajot — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:14:47 +0000

I think some of the reaction to Couric is sexist.
This is still a sexist country in some ways.
I still remember all the attention Rice’s boots got on her trip to Europe. Has the attire of a male public figure ever been so scrutinized and analyzed? Women in the news are trivialized by references to their wardrobes and their physical attibutes.

Americans still want their father figures. With Couric, they just missed the low tones of a male voice to lull them into believing we are all okay, because ‘daddy’ is on watch.

I don’t think she’s been given a fair chance, and she may never get one. She’s just a woman, after all.

I’ll clap and shout when I hear a remark about a male anchor’s nice eyes or perfect teeth.

By: Robert Stein

Robert Stein — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 02:50:39 +0000

What we may be seeing here is Rather’s anger and guilt over his two major failings during the Bush era—before the war in Iraq and during the 2004 election when sloppy journalism let the Rove gang turn attention away from Bush’s evasion of service during Vietnam:
http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2007/06/rathers-remedial-journalism-for-couric.html

By: cosmoetica

cosmoetica — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 01:51:11 +0000

‘you need to work within THE FORM that has worked and THEN if youâ€™re successful, change the form.’

Herein the meat of your post.

Rather was distinct, if weird. Couric is a mannekin- with nice legs though.

But, her ‘niceness’ is what it’s all about these days. On my local Community College channel I saw an interview Couric did at the Museum of TV and Radio. In short, as a thinker she’s got nice legs. She’s everything that’s wrong with celebrity culture.

It’s as if Oprah Winfrey wanted to claim she was a serious philosopher. Couric needs to do cooking recipes and take over for Rosie on The View.

Bring Schieffer back, and groom a replacement in a few years. Yes, Brian Williams is a mannekin, but he doesn’t giggle on air.