A few weeks ago on the Audio Blend, we were discussing the news that Katie Couric had signed a lucrative contract to helm the CBS Nightly News, replacing Dan Rather who “retired” after a career mixed with honor and oddity. The consenus amongst the panel was “Who cares?” For years, the nightly news was an institution that people looked to for guidance on the stories that dominated the day. What has become of this venerable staple of television?
I remember as a child my father always watched the local news and then the network nightly news. I’m not sure which anchor was his favorite, but he’d watch it. He’d usually complain about what “slant” he perceived in the coverage or what story got more coverage than the other. His night was like clockwork. Eat. News. News. My grandfather was the same way and I’m sure millions of others have stories like this. Hell, I even watched it for awhile. At some point in the late 90s though, I stopped caring. If CNN didn’t kill the network news, then Internet and on-demand news sources did. With news on our wireless laptops, our cell phones, on numerous networks depending on your political bias, why would you need to rush home to watch Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, or Tom Brokaw in the early evening?
The media often has an inflated opinion of its importance, especially network news. They turn their noses up at Fox News now just as they did to CNN in the 80s. They feel they are better. As usual, they are wrong and out of touch. I won’t trust news from Katie Couric any more than I will from my headlines that stream to my cellphone. I’m a busy man. I have kids to take places. I have columns to write. I have naps to take! Do I personally feel that CNN or Fox News does a better job than the networks? No, but they are more convenient to me. I’ll flip the channel to one of them around 9 to catch up on anything I missed during the day while I browsed the internet. Ahh, there’s the real culprit.
Just as it did to newspapers, the Internet also hurts the nightly news. I know most of you work diligently 10 hours a day at your job, but let me tell you. I’m on the internet for a big portion of my day. Yes, it’s scandalous. How could I? I do so without shedding a tear, let me tell you. I visit a few sites with regularity. I visit Cinema Blend, The Clicker’s Myspace Page, my local newspaper’s page, and CNN.com. Before I go home at 5, I usually know the biggest stories of the day. Unless, something happens on my commute, I have no need for the news broadcasts.
Networks news is about to complete a total change in anchors. Brian Williams, Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff (if he returns from his serious injury.), and Couric are now “the most trusted source in news”. Will these anchor switches help bring back the viewers? I doubt it. In fact, I am inclined to believe it allows people to lose the connection they built with the old guard over the past few decades and simply move on. Network news shows will need serious changes to compete in the new multimedia marketplace. Whether anyone is around to notice or not is another thing.
Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery (History) 8:00 pm
I’ve always been fascinated by good magicians. I rarely watch the tricks. I watch for the distractions, the slight of hands. Lance Burton hosts a collection of Harry Houdini’s magical artifacts. You will get to see many of the props used in Houdini’s acts. Please don’t hurt me if this is two hours of boredom
Grey’s Anatomy: Under Pressure 10:00 pm (ABC)
The new fad over at ABC is to show a “recap” episode of a popular show. (1) It might get regulars to watch it since it isn’t a rerun, (2) newcomers might try to get caught up, (3) it’s pretty damn cheap. I’d also like to add that I’m pretty damn tired of them too.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 8:30 pm
Mary the Paralegal- Barney is such a good guy. He cares for his fellow man and his friend, Ted, especially. Without asking Ted, Barney hires a gorgeous escort to go with Ted to Robin’s award ceremony in hopes of making Robin jealous and getting them together. Damn I wish I had friends like Barney. None of my current friends would go to such lengths. Screw you, Don!
24 (FOX) 9:00 pm
Day 5: 1:00-2:00 am- Damn you, Heller. You might be the coolest guy alive not named Bauer, but you know Jack was right. Jeez. With help from Buchanan and Chloe, Jack heads after Henderson. Jack probably interrogates some people and runs out of time before getting the answers. You know the drill.
NBA Playoffs Double Header (TNT) 7:00 pm
Washington Wizards vs Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings vs San Antonio Spurs- Eh, I’m not even that big of a fan of basketball anymore. The game has turned into a one-on-one exhibition between guys who think dunking takes talent. For God’s sake, does anyone know how to hit a mid-range jumper anymore?
Amazing Race 9 (CBS) 8:00 pm
Do You Know How Much Running I Did Today, Phil?-Thank God for non-elimination weeks. Team Hippy survives! Did you know BJ graduated from Harvard? Five teams are left (I think, as if I’m going to research) and they head to Australia. Team Hippy is still my favorite. Other competitors are Team Metumucil, Team Frat Boys, Team Mojo, and Team Black Couple Who Argued Like Middle Schoolers Last Week. I’m sure that nickname will catch on now.
LOST: Reckoning (ABC) 9:00 pm (ABC)
Fracking ABC! *#&(@!!! Stupid freaking recap shows GAHHHH! This one has a theme though. OOOOOH. A theme! I’m gonna wet myself! The theme is personality and mine is definitely bitter at the moment.
Survivor (CBS) 8:00pm
BORING! Bruce was removed from the game last week due to a medical emergency so no one was voted off. The only way this season can be salvaged is if Aras or Terry wins. The rest of the cast is either psychotic or cling-ons.
My Name Is Earl (NBC) 9:00pm
Stole A Badge- Earl tries to make it up to a police officer who was demoted after Earl stole his badge. The plot of the show rarely makes you want to watch it. It’s the interaction between Randy, Earl, Joy, and Crabman that keeps me coming back each week.
The Office (NBC) 9:30pm
Drug Testing- I’m really late jumping on this bandwagon but the show could be the funniest show on TV nowadays. Drug testing is implemented after marijuana is found on company property. Dwight leads the investigation but Michael doesn’t want to take the test.
Deal or No Deal (NBC) 8:00 pm
At least SOMETHING is interesting on Fridays again. Lucky for me, I’ll be in Orlando on business for the weekend. I can at least, for once, say I have more important things than yelling “NO DEAL” at Howie Mandel. Honestly, he’s not a good date option. Let’s encourage all three of my readers to go on Friday night dates from now on. Save me some work already!
Grounded on 9/11 (History) 9:00 pm (2 Hours)
United 93 hits theatres tonight and I’m not sure what I feel about it. Nice to see History Channel taking advantage of that. Jeez. This special follows the tough job that air traffic controllers had on 9/11 re-routing and safely landing thousands of planes after the terrible tragedies of that day.
NHL Quarterfinal Matchups (OLN) 7:00 pm
There is absolutely nothing better in sports than the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I’m not sure who will be playing yet this night but I know it isn’t my Thrashers. Can we please make the playoffs next year? PLEASE? With my Thrashers out of contention, I’ll revert back to cheering for the Red Wings since I lived in Michigan for a year. Get Stevie Y one more Stanley Cup guys!
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