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July 7, 2009

Michael Jackson memorial: TV day starts with strain

From the Harlem Gospel Choir singing "We Are the World" in Times Square outside the ABC News studio, to CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker at Forest Lawn Cemetery quoting unnamed "sources" as to whether or not Michael Jackson was buried Monday night, the networks got up early Tuesday to kick off their national day of TV mourning.

Outside of weather and news at the "top of the hour," as the anchors says, the morning shows were jammed packed with Jackson coverage even if it was only 4 a.m. in Los Angeles when Today, Good Morning America and The Early Show hit the airwaves.

Morning shows can be embarrassing on regular days, but when it comes to big events for which they don't have any kind of particular news access or exclusives, they can be downright pathetic. Count Harry Smith, co-host of the CBS Early Show, in that category for fawning over Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart like she was Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein combined because Jackson invited her to some of his concerts and to dinner in his hotel suite and, in at least one case, gave her a "gift," according to Hart.

I am stretching the term, but Hart is, after all, part of the entertainment press corps, and we probably shouldn't be celebrating her for accepting gifts from the people she covers.

But Tuesday morning, anyone who knew or touched Jackson and was willing to get up in time to be on the morning shows, had a shot at network face time -- and being treated like a sage.

Like Bubbles, the chimp. Yes, NBC's Today offered a feature on Bubbles, the chimp whom once lived with Jackson.

Being an animal lover and wondering about Bubbles myself, I didn't criticize CNN's Anderson Cooper or any of the others on TV  who did the obligatory Bubbles story. But the one on Today Tuesday set a new record for loopiness.

The report showed Bubbles walking, and then, in voice over, compared his movements to Jackson's patented moonwalk. Then, a handler talked about Bubbles, who now lives in Florida, maybe knowing Michael was dead. The only thing they didn't do is have Bubbles move his lips and pipe in a voice singing one of Jackson's hits.

And then there was Micahel Okwu, the correspondent NBC News had at Forest Lawn, where Jackson is expected to be buried Tuesday. In describing the celebrities who are buried there, Okwu included actress Betty White.

Luckily, Meredith Vieira, a pro who kept her head throughout her coverage from the Staples Center, corrected Okwu, saying he probably meant Bette Davis -- since Betty White is still alive.

Posted by David Zurawik at 8:45 AM | | Comments (6)
Categories: Michael Jackson
        

Comments

Poor Betty White, I'm glad Meredith got that straighted out. Meredith seems to be a quick thinker. I love animals too, but do you really think Bubbles can do the moon walk?? Or that he realizes Michael Jackson is gone, or he cares? Did anyone see the video apparently of Michael Jackson's ghost on camera in Neverland as a shadowy figure (some have speculated a camera man - imagine that) moving across the room as the interview is being conducted. Come on people get a grip! I guess that video is all over the internet.

Michael Okwu is having a good month. He also made the famous "Michael Jackson will only die once" comment during his coverage of the announcement.

Bubbles now lives in a primate sanctuary (which is closed to the public) in Florida. I seriously doubt he has any inkling whatsoever that Michael is gone.

Typical of humans to underestimate the emotional tie an animal and their owner have. I think you'd be surprised to find Bubbles having some irregular behavior the next few weeks at least. But you don't know. And I don't know, so I suggest the same thing I've suggested to all the other haters....if you don't have any facts, keep your mouth shut. Ignorance is an epidemic in this country.

I cannot understand why anyone should think it is flattering to be compared to Bob Woodward.

The Bob Woodward Story, Part I,
or How to Make a Sharp U-Turn

Two young reporters, like all their kind,
yearned to escape their daily grind.
Keen they were, enthusiastic,
and prayed they’d clinch that scoop fantastic.

Little did they dream that fate
would lay before them Watergate,
and all the President’s men’s skullduggery
best described perhaps as thuggery.

Bob typified the dogged sleuth
who’d dig ‘til he unveiled the truth.
Investigation was his strength;
for a story he’d go any length.

He’d probe the White House fabrications,
delve into Nixon’s aberrations,
uncover every lie or prevarication
and expose a rotten administration.

So Bob and fellow newsman Carl
vowed Tricky Dicky to ensnarl.
Lucky for them a mole appeared
with a modus best described as weird.

He’d meet with Bob in a garage under ground
where his whispers did not make a sound.
He earned the nickname of Deep Throat
and he gave our Sherlock cause to gloat.

Bob and Carl gained widespread admiration
for what they did to save the nation.
They exemplified steadfast persistence
as they wore down editor Ben’s resistance.

So President Nixon was thrown out –
a mighty triumph without a doubt.
A task not easy to repeat
on a humble newsman’s normal beat.

New fields of effort they had to find
and leave their news desks far behind.
Carl’s modest ways stayed as of yore
while Bob’s huge ego was now a bore.

To young journalists he was quite the hero,
a role he took to like De Niro.
A real colossus he became,
a legend now of worldwide fame.

Made managing editor at the Post
he seemed to vanish like a ghost.
Now his by-line seldom would appear
and co-workers soon began to sneer.

They asked wherever he could be found
and why he was never seen around.
Eager hacks set out to trace him
and it did not take them long to place him.

He was seen as he left in a rush
from an office occupied by Bush.
The guy who hated presidents’ men
had now become just one of them.

The White House was in disrepair
as leaks oozed out from everywhere.
All around were phone call buggers
when what they needed were good pluggers.

George W. considered him a chum
and how could poor Robert not succumb?
He was handed info cherry-picked
and it dawned not on him he’d been tricked.

He played his cards close to his chest
and his editor did not keep abreast,
He was gathering all that he could muster
for inclusion in his next blockbuster.

He had once reported all the news
but now felt he could pick and choose.
He would decide which well-cooked brownie
to feed to editor Len Downie.

He appeared with awe-struck Larry King
who allowed him his own praise to sing.
His methods, once investigative,
had now become accommodative.

When asked if he felt any blame
for keeping mum on Valerie Plame
he denigrated the prosecutor
though some others called him a straight shooter.

There are many who have grown quite leery
as every word of his they query.
Why some still pay to hear him lecture
is only open to conjecture.

He no longer can be called a model
when all he says is now just twaddle.
But remember this, you who would berate him.
Bob’s still a reporter, though now verbatim.

The Bob Woodward Story, Part II,
or Bob’s State of Denial

Quick, finish dinner! At the TV we must look
to hear Woodward plug his latest book.
It’s easy to learn Bob’s point of view
for he’s on the networks, and on cable too,

As we wait for his findings to be revealed
we hope that nothing will be concealed.
Will he throw any light on that odd love affair
between George Bush and Tony Blair?

When he sits face to face with 60 Minute’s Mike
it’s awesome how they are so alike.
It’s hard to decide whose demeanour is sternest
as they prepare to discuss the book in earnest

No levity here, no how are the folks?
But we are all aware it’s no time for jokes.
Have such austere expressions been seen before?
Indeed they have, on Mount Rushmore.

So we anxiously wait and with bated breath
for Bob’s disclosures, we hope in depth.
What will he tell us? What can we expect to learn?
What inside stories that might cause concern?

He addresses Wallace in ponderous tones
as on and on and on he drones
with that steady and unblinking gaze
and then pauses for Mike his words to praise.

As he gives all his phrases the self-same stress
it‘s not easy their importance for us to guess.
Could anyone ever consider terrific
a delivery best called soporific?

Once he decided his reporting role to abdicate,
Was when Woodward began to pontificate.
Now, should he find things get too hot at home,
he could always hop on a plane to Rome.

Newsweek says he knows how to excavate
but that claim leaves room for much debate.
We recall how he lauded Bush’s “moral determination”
leaving none in doubt of his open admiration.

But wait! What is reaching my disbelieving ears?
The sound of Bob as he again changes gears?
Can he really be saying that his erstwhile cronies
Are nothing more than a bunch of phonies?

He swears that Bush has been known to lie,
and says things in Iraq have gone awry.
So it’s obvious that he’s now jumping ship
and has learned how to do a pancake flip.

We’re mesmerised by his asseverations
and dumbstruck at his aberrations.
Is he telling us that he has seen the light
in the book that he took two years to write?

Alas! What he serves us is reheated hash
when what we expected was a hot news flash.
So what may we get when the Post’s straight shooter
again hits the keys of his laptop computer?

Will he tell us that tomorrow the sun will rise?
That Polaris is seen in Northern skies?
That Cheney’s is not the steadiest hand
when he picks up a gun while he’s still half canned?

Will he discover that Halliburton steals,
charging millions for non-existent meals?
Will he say Condi continues with her to’s and fro’s
the reason for which God only knows?

Will he warn us the CIA makes mistakes?
Or tell us Laura is good at baking cakes?
Will he say the Intelligence Service we cannot trust
or drop another such nugget to leave us nonplussed?

There is one question I feel I have to ask
and hope that I’ll not be taken to task.
While Rummy’s stuff may happen, or perhaps may not,
for how much longer must we endure Bob’s tommy rot?

As I wondered what became of the Bob I once admired,
and, like many, whose footsteps to follow had aspired,
I realized I’d overlooked a significant factor,
That the Bob I was thinking of -- is Redford, the actor!

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About David Zurawik
I've been The Baltimore Sun's TV critic since 1989. My writings on TV and media have appeared in such publications as TV Guide, Esquire magazine and American Journalism Review. I have a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.A. in specialized reporting (on popular culture) from the University of Wisconsin. I'm the author of The Jews of Prime Time (Brandeis University Press), a look at 50 years of Jewish characters and identity on network TV. I have also been with WYPR-FM (88.1) radio since 1994 and can be heard Thursday mornings at 7:30 doing a weekly "Take on Television" report.
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