I've got a few things I want to discuss tonight so here's a quick overview of Tuesday's AC360 then I'll launch the discussion.The program opened with a lengthy segment on North Korea and its nuclear threats, border polices and the latest American detainees. Jim Butterworth (documentary director/producer) spoke with Anderson Cooper about the bleakness of the North Korean border and the NK military who cross the border to arrest foreigners so as to be paid a bounty by the NK government. Mike Kim (author) also joined the conversation and said, from his experience, that North Korea will probably ask for a large ransom for the journalists release.
Erica Hill's 360 Bulletin:
•Suicide bombing in Pakistan near a 5 star hotel
•Slim Jim factory explosion in North Carolina killed 2
•Chrysler/Fiat deal is OK'd by the Supreme Court
•10 of the largest banks in the US will repay $68 billion of TARP money
•Tony Braxton impersonator is arrested in South American
•POTUS urges Congress to adopt a 'pay as you go' policy, similar to that used in the 90's
•Gitmo detainee is in a NY jail awaiting trail
•72 year old great grandmother was tasered by an Austin cop
•Sarah Palin doesn't like Letterman calling her a 'slutty fight attendant'
•Darren the waving goat (so very cute) 
Ted Rollins had a face to face interview with Dr. George Tiller's alleged killer. I'm not going to spend much time on this because it gives attention to Scott Roeder, a totally despicable lowlife.
I would much rather focus on Dr. Leroy Carhart's defense of a woman's right to choose. It was heartening to hear him say the Dr. Tiller's death has become a catalyst for people to reach out with support and offers of help.
Anderson and Tom Foreman caught us up on the latest news on Air France flight 447. The speed sensors are now considered a possible reason for the crash. Also include in this segment was a passenger's testimony before the NSTB about the crash landing in the Hudson of flight #1549.
Scary stuff happening in Acapulco over the weekend. There were reports here in Phoenix of nearby hotels packed with American tourists. Bet that won't be the case for long. Ed Lavendera reported on the deaths of over 2 dozen in the drug war.
The follow up discussion was with Fred Burton (counterterrorism expert) who worried that the Mexican government can't take many more hits to their economy. And this latest development will definitely impact tourism. Anderson mentioned a recent weekend trip he made to Baja, saying he stayed in a guarded compound. I don't think even a guarded compound would make me feel safe in Mexico. I wonder what all this violence has done to the senior citizen's who cross the border for affordable prescriptions and medical treatment? It's not just the citizen's of Mexico that are suffering, it affects many more on this side of the border.
Onto some lighter stuff. Anderson got in one more dig about Erica Hill's first concert being Peter, Paul and Mary. He then read a few reader's comments about their first concerts. I didn't know the 360 blog had asked for readers to send in their first concerts, so I'll share mine here. I went to Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh to see the Divine Miss M, aka Bette Midler. I will never forget when she introduced her piano player/musical director. This tall, skinny, unattractive guy wearing a long flowing scarf (I swear it was pink) floated across the stage to take a bow. It was Barry Manilow, before he WAS Barry Manilow. The concert was amazing....still ranks in my top 10. I'd love to hear about who was your first....concert that is.
Such a tease, those 360 producers. When I saw this background tonight it made me think we were back in the good old days of red 360. But if you've seen BA's latest ratings post at ATC you know the only thing in the 'red' is CNN's ratings.
Have you noticed that CNN is trying to slip talk of 2012 into the mix recently? A host of Newsroom (who shall remain nameless to avoid reader's wrath) tweeted asking who viewers wanted to run on the Republican ticket. And I've noticed the topic coming up more and more on panels on various CNN programs. Does CNN seriously think that beating a dead horse will bring the network back to life? I'd expect a serious shake up in the Fall if things continue on their present course. And one could only hope that said shake up would restore AC360 to it's previous glory.
A reader sent us a link to the entire video that was Monday night's 'The Shot'. It's brilliant, if you missed it take a look:
That's it for me tonight. Have a good Wednesday and I hope to see you back here soon. ~Phebe
All Things Anderson is a blog dedicated to CNN's AC360 and its host Anderson Cooper.
25 comments:
First of all, CNN is really lagging. I too have noticed the unnecessary attention and spotlight on the presidential race four years from now. It's kind of pathetic, and I'd hate to call CNN that because I love the network. Hopefully they can start pulling themselves out of this rut. Especially in the case of AC360. Sometimes there will be stories where you catch a glimmer of the "glory days" and then as suddenly as it appears, it disappears, and we're back to scheduled programming. New producers may help the process?
And I grew up in the nineties, when boy bands and pop princesses reigned supreme. So, of course my first concert was N'sync.
I really wasn't too impressed with 360 last nite. Monday nite was good, tuesday not so good. Anderson saying he felt safe in Mexico. This coming from a guy who reports from dangerous locations in the world.
CNN talking about 2012 is ridiculous. They need to focus on 2009 not 2012. That is so stupid.
I miss red 360! That's when 360 was its best. I think 2008 was when 360 started going downhill. It became all politics. Its never really been the same since. I think they need to move on. They need to re-format the show or something. If they keep it the way it is eventually it'll probably die a slow death. With that said. I will always watch 360 and will watch until the very end. Anderson is an amazing journalist and brings something to the show that no one else can.
I am so embarrassed to admit it but my first concert was Hanson. I was 14. It may have been my first, but the best concert I've ever been too was Rob Thomas. He's very energetic and all the songs were great!
I thought Tuesday's program was great. I was really interested in hearing the Doctor defend women's rights and the experts talk about the North Korean border.
The clips of "Seoul Train" were heart wrenching to say the least, when the guards attacked the woman and child trying to enter Japanese custody. Seeing pictures like that makes me proud to be a spoiled American. Granted this nation has its issues, however I can flee it's borders of my own volition and not be tried with treason, and shipped back against my will. It's really unfortunate that people in other countries do not have that same freedom.
And lastly, like Deborahmei, I was a nineties kid too--but my first concert wasn't until my senior year of high school, and it was Maroon 5 at the California State fair--September 2004--I WAS 16!
The lengthy reports about North Korea were well-done but not exactly new news. However, slow news days hit all the news guys equally and you gotta fill the airtime with something.
It's been ages since we've heard from Ed Lavendera and this is the first time I've heard about the Mexican drug wars hitting Acapulco.
Although I agree it's too soon to be talking about the 2012 election, there are several Republicans (especially Gingrich and Palin) who are making noises about running and laying the groundwork to do so.
Did Anderson ever say what his first concert was?
Jaanza
Didn't Anderson have a different producer for red 360? Sometimes that can make a big impact. Anderson really doesn't sound at all like a control freak or a really pushy guy who would throw his weight around, and really consistently good shows often seem to have a personality like that driving things, keeping them on track and pushing back against interference. The producer may also have been the source of a lot of story ideas.
I think Anderson was also expected to stick more to totally serious topics and standard topics after Katrina, so a lot of the fun bits and light pieces disappeared.
CNN has been 'beating a dead horse', so to speak, for so long now that it makes no difference anymore. They have a one track mind,and that is all. The rest of the world? Forget it. It is reduced to news bulletins.
CNN = POLITICS.THAT IS ALL IT EQUALS ANYMORE.
Some *heads need to roll* at that network, because this is beyond infuriating and pathetic. I have NO problems calling them that, they have been for so long now.
Yet they continue to live in oblivion, pretending nothing is wrong. May I suggest the first * head* to go is that idiot running the network, then go from there!
I have never seen *red 360* as people call it. Heck,I would be happy to see or even recognize a slight trace or glimpse of the 360 I first started viewing back in Fall 2005. Sometimes they are there, briefly. Then we go back to more b.s.
Why not just make the entire network 24/7 politics and be done with it- they are almost gone to that stage now! Call it PNN.
The good ol' days or glory days?Long since gone on this one.So are the viewers, folks!
This is not CNN anymore. I don't even know what it is.
I do not care what Anderson Cooper does on his time off and it is none of my business.
But again he lies to his viewers on the air. He told Kelly he was working so couldn't go to the wedding.
Last night on the air he said he was on vacation in Mexico.
Again, I don't care and it doesn't matter to the quality of the program, but lying does. maybe he should keep his mouth shut
I'd just like to say thanks for the recaps of 360. I'm not always home, so ATA always comes in handy. However, I was home on Monday, but caught 2 great movies on TCM. On the Town (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra), and Royal Wedding with the legendary Fred Astaire. And yesterday I was going Back-N-Forth between The Stanley Cup Finals, and the NBA Finals. So, thanks again for the recaps.
As far as my first concert it was Linkin Park back in '99 when I was 16 right before my 17th b-day. I use to be obsessed with that band. My last concert was one of my favorite Metal bands All That Remains about a 2 months back. And my next concert will be on 7/2 with my all time favorite Mr. Bob Dylan. I'm so excited for that I can't even tell you!
Have a great day everyone.
-Phil
I had to pull out the scrapbook and look through ticket stubs to see what my first concert was. The first one I kept was Crowded House with School of Fish, but I'm sure I went to at least one musicfest during high school. And I recall sitting on the bluff across from Mud Island during a number of concerts, though the only band I remember hearing is the B-52s.
CNN tried at least two branding efforts: CNN=politics and CNN=money. I think they took it too far for too long, and some shows have lost their identity. We ocassionally see glimmers of the old AC360; I wonder if there isn't a power struggle going on behind the scenes.
@Anon 9:57am: When some people say "couple of", they mean literally "two", but others use it to denote "a few" -- it may be a regionalism, but both usages are common.
My first concert was Michael Jackson (his "Bad" days) and Sheryl Crow was his backup singer! Seems like it's a whole world away.
Just an observation - as I have gotten older and my life much more complicated, time seems to fly by. I will often say a few weeks ago only to stop and realize 6 months have gone by. That is how I took Anderson's comment last night. I know he told us he went to Mexico back around the time of the Oscar's. Last night I assumed he was referring to the same trip not that he was referring to the week he couldn't attend the wedding. Then again, it doesn't seem any of us are privy to what Anderson really does on his own time so for all I know he went back to Mexico when he was off over Memorial Day. In either case, I don't understand the leap to calling him a liar. Seems to me Anderson can't win. One week people want him to bring his personality and opinions to the program the next they wan't him to keep his mouth shut.
At the risk of giving the ubernegative the spotlight they seem to crave, I would again like to suggest that we can dissect, discuss, and heartily agree or disagree without impuning the honesty, integrity, or motivations of Anderson and the AC360 team.
Personally, I mostly wonder is going on behind the scenes. Does Anderson have things in the hopper we've yet to discover? Will there be a full CNN or 60 Minutes report on Euna and Laura? Will Anderson travel to China or possibly find time to visit our troops this year? After all, he already has the haircut! Are they going to do a new PIP? Basically, what's up and where are they going with this program? My hope is they will get AC out in the field and also find a way to reinject some of the great features of "red" AC360. And most importantly that they they will not start the run up to the new election 4 years ahead of schedule! LOL!
Almost forgot, my first concert...The Bee Gee's. They were all dressed in white (polyester possibly ;) and all the instruments, piano etc where white. They sang all their songs from the late 60's and early 70's then moved into their Disco hits. When the disco segment began, the floor of the stage lit up like the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever and a mirror ball was lowered from the ceiling. During the song "Tragedy" fireworks shot from the top of the mirror ball...it was RAD! The best part, Barry's hair. Flock of Seagulls had nothing on Barry and his majestic mane!
CNN definitely has been trying to raise the issue of 2012 a lot on their programs. Campbell Brown's show is like a GOP love fest - they spend a lot of time talking about Republicans and there's a lot of negative reports on President Obama. CNN should read some of the comments on The Huffington Post and they might get an idea why they've lost a large portion of their audience to MSNBC. CNN will not be winning over Fox viewers simply by cramming their programs with Republican talking points. It certainly hasn't worked so far.
I went to a "Toys For Tots" concert around Thanksgiving or early December of 1972. My aunt took my sister and I to see Rare Earth later that month, I was 16. We went to the new mall and at the bookstore I got a copy of the first book of the Tolkein trilogy The Lord of the Rings. Read that so many times I lost count. Grand Funk Railroad was a heck of a show, too. Was privileged to see Elvis Presley before he died and also Elton John in 1976. He was still in the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" phase of his career.
The best times of all were the Grateful Dead shows I saw in 1990, 1992 and 1994. What an atmosphere! I was the only sober one in my group and had to keep the playlists!
And seeing the red background last night was quite a shock, Huh! are we back to the red 360? So today he is back in Los Angeles doing some stories about marijuana. I hope he pays some attention to the upcoming Iran elections, which is far more important than pot smuggling!
Stephen Colbert, not my favorite, is tearing them up in Irag. The driver over the shoulder (shout out to Bob Hope!) is just too fun. Doubt he's had a haircut like that since his childhood.
let us just enjoy Anderson while we have him. Who knows how much longer we will?
First concert Tony Orlando and Dawn, followed by Chicago then the Bee Gees.
My first time and it was with my ex husband...and we saw yes, Shirley Bassey at Radio City. Bet you didn't know where I was going with that...if she's considered a concert or just a live performance and I'm assuming she's stil alive.
I wouldn't say AC lies because he can't remember exactly why he didn't attend a wedding at his house. It was a nice gesture on his part.,,and he probably was working and then went to Mexico but is it really all that important?
Telling us he doesn't like sports and then showing up at a ball game with celebrites, who he says he can't relate to, is well a "tall tall tale." Part of 360's problem and we all can admit it/he does have a problem, is AC has lost his humble beginnings. Folks, he's NOT one of us and that's sad.
Phebe, you are so lucky to have seen the Divine Ms M. I'd love to see her!
Anderson tweeted - he is in LA for the rest of the week it looks like and also he is attending the Wildlife Conservation Gala
TVNewser is reporting a really wide spread between Greta and AC, almost 2 million and that's a drop that can't be acceptable. He was also, dead last after KO and all the others. My guess, please go back to your humble beginnings...but sometimes we can't go back or take back those moments.
If someone like myself, chose to watch Housewives of NJ instead of 360, and I consider myself a fan, they are in trouble.
@anon 9:57
I, too, don't really care about his personal life, but I think it should be pointed out that he never said he went to Mexico last week. (or I might have misheard something)
I think he's mentioned it a couple times before about how safe he felt there.
Anyway...I liked the show last night; I thought it had a nice variation of stories.
Oh my gosh Viewer in Virginia!! You just reminded me that I too saw Rare Earth and the Raspberries. THAT was actually my first concert. It must have been in 72 or early 73. I had totally forgotten. My Uncle who about a year older than me (don't ask, LOL) had an extra ticket and let me tag along. If we had had a junior high school, I would have been about that age. It took A LOT of pleading to get my mother to let me go with the older kids! For the life of me I can't even remember what the popular songs were...now I'm going to have to google them! Guess Bee Gee's was actually the first concert I bought tickets for!
KISS was my first LOL! That was some wild stuff.
Funny that Erica mentioned PP&M - I actually saw them a few years ago and they were great. Mary's had some health problems but she is one fiesty chick and they were very entertaining, not just with the music but with some amusing banter.
I would just bet if we checked Anderson's contract we would not find a clause where he has to tell his TV audience every move he makes. He could have been in Mexico working and vacationing for all we know. He could have been in LaLa Land. Also, I bet if we didn't disect every word out of his mouth and just watched the show, it all wouldn't matter. Maybe he used to dislike sports and now likes them. Maybe he didn't like celebs and now he loves hanging with them. Times change and people along with them.
I never liked CNN and now I'm glued to it. I never knew the name Anderson Cooper and now I its part of my daily vocabulary.
@olsond: That's just the point. If he "hangs" with celebs, he becomes one of them and then HE becomes the story. Some people change and not for the better.
Bi-coastal "boy" is out in LA again. Let's hope it's for something news worthy like a long over due 60 Minutes piece and not just a wildlife gala.
@annon 12:47 - I understand what you are saying, but don't you think that with his upbringing, having Gloria for a mom, doing many TV shows and writing a book and all of the other things about him - that he always has been one of them and the story. I think that it has just been building over a period of time. I still have a feeling that there is more going on about CNN and other things in the works that we don't know about. I really enjoy all sides to him so I wouldn't mind him branching out. Like I've said before, I don't have a long background of AC, so I only have about a year to base my opinion. I just know I like the show and the things he does now - but I don't know what he was like before except what everyone writes here.
Post a Comment