Late Addition: Erica Hill is scheduled to anchor AC360 tonight, as Anderson travels to Africa.
I'm not sure how you saw tonight's effort by Anderson Cooper and crew, but to me AC360 seemed more a gossipy tabloid soap opera than a news program. I thought that LKL hit a new low in creepiness on Wednesday, when he interviewed Michael Jackson's former dermatologist, but AC360 wasn't far behind with its reports on MJ by Drew Griffin and Randi Kaye. I think it would be more newsworthy to wait until the official results of the autopsy are released or the courts make a decision about prosecuting doctors or awarding custody, etc. rather than this anonymous source crap that tells me MJ was bald, skinny and white when he died. What if that was your loved one being so violated after death by the press? Didn't AC say something on that very subject when talking about how the press intruded on he & his mother's privacy when his brother died? Personally, I've had enough and have decided to move on from the MJ coverage.
So tonight we'll start with news of President Obama's trip to Italy and Anderson's discussion with David Gergen. The Gergenator said that in this trip abroad the President is facing a much tougher crowd than on his previous visits. He said that there was limited success negotiating with Russia and he doesn't expect any breakthroughs with China or India on the current leg of his trip.Also discussed was the stubbornly high unemployment rate and the lackluster results of the stimulus package.
I'd like to skip the Palin story too, not because it isn't news but because I dislike her so. At least the story is being covered by one of my favorites, Sean Callebs. (He must have been a very good boy to get rewarded with the Alaska trip instead of being in steamy, hot New Orleans, his usual territory.) Callebs interviewed Andree McCloud, a critic of the Alaskan governor and someone who has taken action by filing complaints and lawsuits against Palin. McCloud said "In December, during her inauguration, Sarah Palin said 'Alaskans, hold me accountable, and back attcha'. We did and what does she do? She quits."
The news out of Afghanistan is not good. Since Monday 9 US service members have been killed. Tom Foreman outlined the danger zones on the maps and compared troop losses in Iraq with Afghanistan. The need for Afghan troops to mobilize and assist the US and NATO forces has become even more critical as the fighting intensifies.
Next up David Mattingly reported on the murder of Steve McNair by his mistress. After Mattingly's report AC discussed the possible motivation of the girlfriend with a criminal justice professor. Please spare me, this was just a horrible segment.
Erica Hill's News & Business Bulletin:-Lisa Ling spoke to her sister, held in North Korea, by phone yesterday.
-Ethnic violence in North West China has killed 156 people, with 1,000 injured.
-A rare appearance by Kim Jong Il in public today to honor the 15th anniversary of his father's death.
-Mass. filed a lawsuit that challenges the Federal Defense of Marriage Act
-Leon Panetta revealed that CIA concealed information from Congress
-Bomb components were smuggled into Federal Buildings by government officials testing security
-US's largest dog fighting ring has been busted
-The Italian PM was accompanied to the G8 Summit by a former topless model, not his wife
The Shot & Beat 360 were just so-so, but Erica's discussion with AC about her birthday was worth the effort of clipping. Enjoy:
Julie and I have come across a few new to us pictures of Anderson taken while he was in LA. These first two were posted on Twitter and show AC up on the CNN roof with Don Lemon & Larry King.
These next two pictures are of AC posing with fans who were working in the media area surrounding the Staple Center. First guy is Ed Lozano, a free lancer and the second is Jason Kennedy, who works for E!
Here's a fun shot of some of the AC360 crew. This one is not recent but just how old it is I'm not sure, nor can I remember where I found it. From left to right:Ella Perlis, Chuck Hadad, MaryAnne Fox and Kay Jones.
That's it for me tonight. Sorry to bitch so much, not sure if it's my mood or if the program was a disappointment for others too? ~Phebe
All Things Anderson is a blog dedicated to CNN's AC360 and its host Anderson Cooper.
17 comments:
Phebe: I did not think the program was a disappointment. I do think AC was tired and I do think CNN will continue "turning your stomach," with autopsy reports, if only to keep " a good ratings winner, going.
I too, cannot stand Palin and can't comprehend how Republicans can even think of her running for the Presidency. She was unable to govern one state and they expect her to govern fifty!
Looking forward to AC's interview with Obama in Africa.
If anyone watched LKL, MJ"s dermotologist was "creepy." He said he spent Christmas Eve with MJ and his kids. Now that's a first. I don't know about the rest of you, but the last person I'd spend Christmas Eve with, would be my dermotologist, no matter how good he was!
360 was OK last nite. At least it wasn't completely dominated by MJ stories.
Palin is ridiculous and nothing she says or does makes sense She's doing the people of Alaska a favor by stepping down. I like Sean Calebs, but it just seems odd him being in Alaska.
Tom Foreman's piece was ridiculous. For as deadly as Afghanistan is, it doesn't get reported about very much. Hardly ever is it mentioned on the news.
I like the pic of Anderson and Jason Kennedy. I watch E! alot and Jason is one of my favorite people on there.
Although I did not watch the first 12 - 14 minutes, what I did see was a good variety of news and I especially appreciated 360 talking about Afghanistan.
Does anyone know Anderson's schedule? Is he going to be traveling on Thursday? Reporting from Africa on Friday? Are we going to have subs the next two days?
Phebe - I am in the middle of moving and have not been watching much TV but I do not want to hear anymore about MJ or caribou Barbie - praying for good AC360 next week in Africa
@Judy, yes, the MJ reports keep a good ratings winner going, but like the elections it can't sustain itself. Substance will win out every time and there has been little of that on CNN lately.
It seems to be a pattern that comes from on high, since almost all programs are doing the same thing.
@ACAnderFan, I’m not sure why you thought TF's piece was ridiculous? He contrasted US service personal deaths in Afghanistan to those in Iraq. The trend was chilling. Where you maybe referring to the use of the magic wall to illustrate?
@Jaanza, AC's interview with the POTUS is to air on Monday & Tuesday. I suspect he'll be traveling today and we will have a sub the next two nights, but that's just a guess. I guess I could put in a request for information but by the time I get a response we will probably already know.
@snooks, good luck with the move.
At this point I think CNN is just waiting for the next big thing to come along to boost their ratings and that includes 360's. What happened to the interview AC did in France - forgotten in favor of celebrity talk.
If CNN wants to get back to being the most trusted name on television they better start looking beyond the ratings and the next big thing and concentrate on day to day work.
I am looking forward to AC in Africa and I hope he does a good job with the interview.
@Phebe, I thought it was ridiculopus becuase we never get any mention of Afghanistan. They tell us how many have died, yet we never get daily updates. It would be nice to get some real news about Afghanistan. Maybe tell us some good things going on. Its like Afghanistan is completely ignored.
@everyone, Just got an email from CNN saying that AC would be taking the historic journey with the POTUS while he is in Africa. Sounds like AC is going to cover it for CNN, not just do the interview. Maybe he'll be filing reports over the next few days too?
@Media Angel, totally agree with you. It's like fly by the seat of your pants journalism. Of course much of television news is such today, but at least the networks know when to move on. CNN just doesn't seem to know when a story is over.
@ACAnderFan, Now I understand and I do agree with you. Did you hear AC say, last night, that there was a great report on the 360 Blog about Afghanistan by Nic Robertson? If it was that great why not air it on the program instead of burying it on the blog.
360 was o.k. last night I couldn't get into it lastnight. I don't know if it was because of MJ or because I haven't been sleeping. I even tryed to go to sleep last night and couldn't. I think I feel asleep around 2:30 am this morning. I'm so exhausted. I need to go see the dotor but switching insurance hence switching doctors. As long as I don't fall over I should be fine. atleast I have anderson to keep me company when I can't sleep, that was the only thing I cared about last night. It was kind of funny I knew exactly how he felt when he said he had jet lagg. I have it to but I haven't gone anywhere. just here in california and wanting to sleep in new york time.lol.maybe I can take a nap. not likely though my doggie is bothering me right now. think she gotta go out and do her busness. gotta go.
@everyone, I put a headline on the blog but for those of you who have comments emailed to them I thought I'd add the news here to. Erica Hill is slated to anchor AC360 tonight.
I think they've done a better job over the last week of keeping MJ news to less than half the show - excluding Tuesday, of course.
Glad to see it's Erica filling in tonight; she doesn't get to do it enough.
Looking forward to the interview and coverage from Ghana.
@Phebe, I should have explained myself better. I have a problem with starting in the middle of something and assuming people know what I am talking about.
Glad to see that Erica will be anchoring tonite. Always nice to see her in the anchor chair.
Just out of curiosity, are there any Legal Eagles out there in Legal world who partake in this Blog, if so, maybe one of you can answer this question... I watched both Larry King’s Interview with Dr. Klein and Anderson’s conversation with Randi Kay, it is so alarming to me, the amount of detail the Dr gave Larry in terms of the procedures he performed on Michael and the various specific drugs he dispensed to MJ. I thought, even in death, this kind of information was strictly confidential. I understand there is an investigation and sharing this kind of information with the Police or DEA agents is a necessity, but sharing it on National Television with a Talk-Show Host, what happened to solicitor-Client privilege? I thought even in death, there still is abidance to that clause. Yes? No? Anyone?
Looks like AC360 team has finally got the message, and have trimmed their panel discussions to one on one discussion i.e. the respective discussions with David Gergen and Prof. James Allen Fox.
Aries Moon I agree with you previous statement – sometimes I too don’t agree with the tone of Anderson’s questioning of President Obama’s achievements thus far, as he often down plays them as if to say they are ineffective and inconsequential. Drives me crazy too.
As for “the miss-read” comment by VP Biden regarding the financial downturn, VP Biden simply stated a fact and the truth. This Economic downfall has been unprecedented and nobody, no one at all could predict how much of a stimulus would be needed to resuscitate this Economy back to life. These are uncharted waters for every Government across the globe and the US is no different, I just wish these Journalists and Reporter who are challenging this Government to act more quickly to bring normality back to the Economy, would step back a tad. This catastrophe did not take place overnight and it will not recovery just as quickly. I wish these folks would understand that, take a breath and allow the process to take its course and work accordingly. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Why don’t they understand that?
Halleluiah – the 360 Team have also finally got the message about the mixed News Coverage that was lacking in their Program over the last 6 months. Looks like we seem to be getting a tad better mix. Last night’s program was a vast improvement in comparison to the weeks prior to Michael’s death. I hope they continue on this track. My one wish is that they stop with the Palin coverage. She has moved on, why don’t they?
Statistically, Afghanistan has always been more treacherous a war to fight versus Iraq. I’m not sure I fully agree with Tom Forman’s report that Iraq is and has been worse then Afghanistan. I’m surprised Anderson did not call him out on it. It also makes me wonder why Anderson/AC360 only report on the Americans who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. Why don’t they report on the others soldiers who’ve lost their lives, like the Canadians soldiers & soldiers from other NATO Countries who’ve died in Afghanistan? It’s my understanding Canada & Britain report on the Americans and other soldiers who’ve lost their lives in these wars, why don’t the American News Media do the same?
As for McNair – how many women was this guy really involved with? His wife/ex-wife, girl-friend, and potentially another woman? What the heck?!? I feel for his kids.
Overall, it was an ok night of News. They have a long way to come back. I’m just surprised there was no update on the unrest in China and Honduras, and very limited coverage on the President’s trip oversees.
I too agree, CNN needs to wait on "Official Results" from the Autopsy of Michael’s death, rather then discuss findings and statements from so-called “CNN Sources”.
This just drives me round the band, and just adds to the unsubstantiated rumour mill.
@Cole, AC's seemingly dismissive attitude towards the President and his accomplishments is really frustrating at times - I don't expect that he be an adoring lap dog, he has a job to do, but I just notice an occasional slant towards the negative and nitpicking.
My first thought when AC mentioned Nic Robertson's report was how ridiculous it was to not air it! The next segment on the football player and his girlfriend was completely unnecessary, but like Cole says, 360 does appear to be doing a better job with the mix of reports and cutting back on all the panels.
Palin is so distressed by the "liberal" media, but the liberal media continues to follow her every move. Give her what she claims to want and just stop reporting on her. She'll go bonkers. Or MORE bonkers, that is.
I know there will be those who disagree, but that's fine. I for one would like to see Soledad anchor for AC while he is in Africa. It is just "fitting," and she's a great journalist and I am really looking forward to her "Black In America" Special, which I know will far exceed the hype.
"Crazy dermatologist MD.," gave LKL very good ratings and AC hit over a million according to TVNewser. Neither beat Fox's lead, however.
I find myself agreeing with Cole about the amount of detail Dr.Klein gave in his interview with Larry. I do not have a legal background, but I found myself thinking the same thing...wasn't he exceeding his doctor-patient confidentiality agreement, or was he basking in his 15 minutes of fame? Maybe both.
Thought AC 360 was better than the past several days, but a little flat. That might have to do with the fact that Anderson spent the day travelling back to NY and prepping for his upcoming trip to Ghana -- he seemed tired and more or less reading what was put in front of him.
I'm getting a little tired of Anderson saying for information check out the AC360 blog. I think many of the blog posts are better than the stories being reported on air. I'm hoping now the MJ bubble is leaking air -- that 360 will get back on track. I have high hopes for Anderson's reports from Ghana -- he seems to come alive when he's reporting from the field. Maybe this will rejuvenate him. (We all need rejuvenating in our work from time to time.)
Hope 360 leave the MJ speculation to Larry King (if CNN feels the need to air these reports) and waits until official results are available.
Thanks for all the updates, Phebe!
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