CNN Hits Rock Bottom [ by Michael T] [Eye on the Media]
April 03, 2010There was a time when CNN was a respectable news organization. Then it became part of Time Warner and now it has completely lost its way.
Last week’s primetime ratings showed that such mediocre time wasters as Campbell Brown, Larry King and Anderson Cooper collectively lost nearly half their viewers in a year. These variations on a theme, middle-of-the-road lifestyle shows have proven to be unappealing to people accustomed to watching Olberman/Maddow or the trolls on Fox News. Bland and prone to focusing on inane pop culture over hard news, the CNN shows are unwatchable and I long ago gave up watching CNN at night. Some geniuses have suggested they get a personality or take a political side but I disagree. Just grow some balls and do hard news, not lifestyle fluff.
During the day, the situation is just as dire. In the last several months, CNN has gone in the direction of lifestyle news in the afternoon and away from much hard news. This is embarrassing for what was previously the only dependable news outlet in the country. Now, you’re just as likely to see the buffoonish hosts Tony Harris and Ali Velshi pontificate on health care as play with penguins (I can’t make this up, it happened last Thursday). Even worse, is when they play “What’s Hot” or look to see what’s popular on the Internet. Oh, and then the fake outrage - a kid killed herself after being harassed for a day. The phony outrage was nearly unbearable. Is this really the best the United States can do in terms of news reporting? Because it’s piss poor and embarrassing.
And when there is news, it’s constantly interrupted by inane banter and silly remarks. The hosts are more and more prone to chat with each other and when, say, the weather guy is on, forget it. It’s banter all the time, in between plugging some website like SeatGuru. Even worse, this banter is becoming pervasive on CNN International, the real last bastion of news.
If Ted Turner were dead, he’d be rolling over in his grave. As it is, he’s embarrassed by the network and regrets ever selling. What once was a strong news organization on par with the BBC has been reduced to mush. Yup, Ted Turner is the one left with his credibility. Who could have seen that coming?
(0) Comments •
Next entry: GM Not a Write-off?
Previous entry: Albert Snyder v Westboro Baptist Church
