I was prepared to write about a totally different topic, but after sitting down for two minutes in front of The Today Show this morning while I wolfed down my breakfast, I decided I just had to make a comment about the stories that the media elite find press-worthy.
Who would have thought that a young man proposing to his girlfriend a few months ago, who put her engagement ring in a Wendy’s Frostie – which was then duly swallowed – would have gained the fame that he and his now wife are enjoying? Cute couple, cute story, but national news with Matt Lauer? Come on, what is the country coming to? I remember this news story when the big gulp actually happened, and of course The Today Show had to break this most noteworthy news story. This morning’s broadcast was their 3rd appearance on The Today Show – it was obviously important for The Today Show to close the loop since the couple was recently married. The lead in to the story made it sound like their relationship may have fizzled – given the poor judgement of the young man. I was caught waiting with baited breath during the commercial while I cooked my scrambled eggs, dying to find out the conclusion of this most press-worthy story. Phew, they ended up getting married after all.
And to tell you the truth, corporate America isn’t much better. Following the proposal, the bride to be had to subsist on a diet of prunes and Fiber One for a number of days, so she could actually get that ring on her finger. So the brilliant marketers at General Mill’s called her up and put her face on their cereal box. What? Unbelievable! Doing a brief google search to figure out who else picked up this story besides MSNBC – the NY Daily News came up, and even the conservative Republican republicanoperative.com ran the story. The most appropo? i-am-bored.com.
And another thing that irks me? Who cares that Jim Bob Walton, I mean Duggar, is having his 19th child? These are both examples of fun, light stories that I wouldn’t mind reading in my local newspaper or People magazine. But when they hit the Today Show as one of the top promoted stories of the first hour in the morning, it gives me pause – and honestly really bothers me. Instead I wish they would put their resources on educating us on more substantive issues, like the healthcare debate.
Okay, I’ll step off my soapbox now. Have a great weekend! I’m going to spend mine figuring out how to get on The Today Show.
9-11-2009 09:30:40
Great post, Anne. There aren’t many benefits to losing all the network channels with the switch to digital, but this is one of them. I don’t even know these stories are being reported! Have a good week-end.
9-11-2009 12:24:36
I happened to see the same segment this morning, and I too wondered why they would choose to spend time on such a silly topic. NBC must think that this is what the public wants to watch. I think it is time to find a new show to watch while I get ready for work.
9-14-2009 23:57:54
I’ve been thinking the exact thing lately. I usually watch the Today show and can tell by the pithiness (is that a word?) of their stories if it’s a slow news day or…a real news day. It’s a shame they can’t fill the space with real news. Maybe international news if they can’t find anything domestically?