In the intense race to see which network’s news divisions can be first to fully destroy their credibility and fully betray their vow to serve the public’s best interests, the pull-away leaders are now ABC and its local Disney relation, WABC-Ch. 7.
Legitimate news — even the pretense of presenting legitimate news — has been removed in order to serve the Disney Fatherland. In a perverse way, honesty is served. Punches are no longer pulled. The newscasts are Disney shopping catalogs.
On ABC’s “Good Morning America,” newsman and co-host George Stephanopoulos has become a pre-game host for ABC’s “Dancing with The Stars.” He leans in, absolutely fascinated, as he learns what the latest roster of contestants think about their dancing abilities and chances. Next!
On Ch. 7’s “Eyewitness News,” last week, these stories were prominently reported.
1) The buzz following Chaz Bono’s selection as a “Dancing With the Stars” contestant.
2) Regis Philbin’s announcement of his last day as co-host on his ABC morning show — more than two months away.
3) Eddie Murphy will host next year’s Oscars . . . on ABC!
The stench of Disney sells on all Disney TV and radio outlets — from ESPN’s many channels to ABC prime-time programming — has become nauseating, an aggravated assault on all the even slightly better senses.
Even an early Sunday night show on ABC such as “America’s Funniest Home Videos” is now predicated upon in-show sells of Disney resorts, Disney cruises, Disney characters.
Disney has turned Mickey into the oily, coin-flipping owner of a clip joint.
(Incidentally, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has become obscene. Last Sunday, it aired a clip of a kid on a sled slamming into a backyard deck. As the kid cried out in agony, the show added a laugh track. Nothing funnier! And, hey, kids, do try this at home! And send us the tape!)
The last thing any credible newscast should be willing to scrimp on, let alone sacrifice, is the public’s trust. Yet, we’re becoming conditioned to trust no one and nothing.
NBC’s “Today” last week reported live from Green Bay, Wis. Of course, it did. NBC’s opening NFL telecast would be played in Green Bay. Nearly everything that NBC’s TV entities presented in the days before that game — from Jay Leno to the Weather Channel — was programmed to sell that football telecast and NBC/NFL merchandise.
NBC’s “Today,” on Sept. 10, dispatched Matt Lauer to Ground Zero to tour the new World Trade Center. As he was escorted out, he stopped to show an on-site Subway sandwich shop. He explained that this establishment allowed workers to eat without having to return to the street. Neat stuff.
Lauer even offered to buy all the nearby workers Subway sandwiches. Nice touch.
When the piece ended, a commercial for Subway appeared.
At this point, how can we not be suspicious?
* * *
It’s 3:30 on a Wednesday afternoon and the Game Show Network is presenting “Lingo,” a normally tame word-puzzle contest.
Suddenly, up pops a question that’s clearly a vulgar double-entendre for the male genitals. The female contestants blush, the host slyly winks and the audience knowingly titters.
Down, down, down we go.