Commentary

[imported_macfan]

Our station is considering creating a segment for commentary. Not anchor commentary or editorial, but an opportunity for local leaders, newsmakers, or viewers to speak their minds (they will be edited for FCC violations and fact checked). Are there any stations doing this, what's the format, what do you think?

[Obewon]

I think it means your station is in big trouble

[Jane Craig]

It may also mean the year is 1958.

When I was a kid, I remember one local station doing editorials and having locals subsequently do "editorial replies." Johnny Carson built his Floyd R. Turbo (American) charater on that premise.

My opinion -- it sure won't be a reason to watch...

[The Mockingbird]

At least it's not "The Point".

[Brain Cramp]

Remember when Katie started on CBS? Remember how long their newfangled "commentary" lasted?

[LENSCRAFTER]

Reminds me of the time Julia Sugarbaker did one of those commentaries and blasted Atlanta Councilman Nelson Brickett out of the water.

[!]

Our station is considering creating a segment for commentary. Not anchor commentary or editorial, but an opportunity for local leaders, newsmakers, or viewers to speak their minds (they will be edited for FCC violations and fact checked). Are there any stations doing this, what's the format, what do you think?

I think your news hole is small enough already with taking up more of it with this sort of crap.

And they will NOT be fact-checked, because opinions aren't required to be factual. They're subjective.

[imported_macfan]

everyone really likes the idea!! I'm not sold on it, but I think it can give a voice to people who have a tough time being heard.

!- Opinions are subjective, but facts **can** be checked. I can say 'I don't like the mayor because of his stance on this issue.' But I can't say 'the mayor molests collies' without the proof to back it up..

[The Mockingbird]

Shrug.

News is a pendulum. Odds are crappy buzz terms like "interactivity" and "community involvement" are floating around your newsroom.

It's empty, meaningless crap for management to keep themselves busy while they're not accomplishing their main objective, which is taking the industry to Hell in a handbasket.

[The Thrill]

Reminds me of the time Julia Sugarbaker did one of those commentaries and blasted Atlanta Councilman Nelson Brickett out of the water.

http://epguides.com/DesigningWomen/cast.jpg

Ah, "Designing Women." The original cougars.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

I would hate to be the poor bastard in charge of booking that segment.

[!]

everyone really likes the idea!! I'm not sold on it, but I think it can give a voice to people who have a tough time being heard.

!- Opinions are subjective, but facts **can** be checked. I can say 'I don't like the mayor because of his stance on this issue.' But I can't say 'the mayor molests collies' without the proof to back it up..
But they will NOT be fact-checked.

Anyone who has worked in a newsroom for more than five minutes knows that it the first thing that will go out the window.

[adam & doctor drew]

usually those are done by GMs and NDs, otherwise known as Frustrated On-Air People Who Couldn't Get Hired So They Went Into Management.

[Bureau Chief]

I beg to differ. We have a very popular segment about once a week were viewers are encouraged to come in and talk about what's pissing them off. It has generated some interesting stories. Just because you dont like something doesnt mean its a bad idea. You do have to be careful about what makes the air, and make sure its not the local crackpot yanking your chain, but if done carefully, it can be a powerful draw in many communities. When its obvious that there is a major issue behind the viewers rant, we look into it and do a package.

You all talk a big line about finding stories not coming from the scanners or the newspaper but when someone comes up with some idea that is unusual, you waste no time in poking fun at them.

[!]

You all talk a big line about finding stories not coming from the scanners or the newspaper but when someone comes up with some idea that is unusual, you waste no time in poking fun at them.This isn't unusual. Or new. Or innovative.

It's been done for years, thanks to consultants, and generally abandoned after a while.

Hell, one station I know put camcorders in little booths in a mall so viewers could record their comments. THAT was a great idea. (If you wanted obscene gestures, racial slurs, and assorted other unuseable material.) They dumped the "unusual" idea after a few months.

It's also not a great way to find out about potential stories. Very labor and time intensive as opposed to a telephone tipline or email address.

[Vulcan]

Reminds me of the time Julia Sugarbaker did one of those commentaries and blasted Atlanta Councilman Nelson Brickett out of the water.
I quit watching Designing Women precisely because I was tired of the Thomasons using Julia Sugarbaker to preach at me. The tone of moral authority was viscous.

[!]

I quit watching Designing Women precisely because I was tired of the Thomasons using Julia Sugarbaker to preach at me. The tone of moral authority was viscous.

Her tone was of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; thick; adhesive?

[LENSCRAFTER]

I quit watching Designing Women precisely because I was tired of the Thomasons using Julia Sugarbaker to preach at me. The tone of moral authority was viscous.

And the odd thing was that Dixie Carter (who played Julia) had views that were many times polar opposite of the character. She has said in interviews that she went ahead with the diatribes in exchange for being able to sing in later episodes.

[!]

And the odd thing was that Dixie Carter (who played Julia) had views that were many times polar opposite of the character.
This, of course, is known as acting.

[LENSCRAFTER]

This, of course, is known as acting.

VERY GOOD!

[The Thrill]

This, of course, is known as acting.

"Brilliant!"
"Thank YOU!"

http://rawsocket.org/rtfm/images/master_thespian.jpg

[Vulcan]

Her tone was of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; thick; adhesive?
Thick enough you could choke on it.

[Another side]

It was a sit-com. Lighten up. It's OK to grin once in awhile.

[TVMattNYC]

I think your news hole is small enough already with taking up more of it with this sort of crap.

And they will NOT be fact-checked, because opinions aren't required to be factual. They're subjective.

Oh please.

Like East Kabum****, Anywhere really NEEDS two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening to cover all of its local news. New York can't even cover its "news hole" without resorting to all that stupid anchor chow-chow.

And who says these commentaries won't be fact-checked? It is possible for someone to voice an opinion within the confines of a professionally-edited segment.

[TVMattNYC]

I quit watching Designing Women precisely because I was tired of the Thomasons using Julia Sugarbaker to preach at me. The tone of moral authority was viscous.

I rather liked Julia's diatribes.

What really disappointed me, however, was the increasing frequency of the social messaging on the Cosby Show.

[user name]

isn't that what the "blogs" section of your station website is for? a sounding board for the opinionated and mentally unstable?

[!]

And who says these commentaries won't be fact-checked? It is possible for someone to voice an opinion within the confines of a professionally-edited segment.

There's a lack of fact checking in local TV news as it is. There is no way anyone will actually check the material submitted--they may listen to it to make sure it doesn't contain profanity, but they will not bother to actually check it for truthiness.

[TVMattNYC]

There's a lack of fact checking in local TV news as it is. There is no way anyone will actually check the material submitted--they may listen to it to make sure it doesn't contain profanity, but they will not bother to actually check it for truthiness.

So you know this for a fact?

[Galaxian]

My station does news commentaries on the weekend, featuring our station's "political expert," who is a politics professor at a nearby college. We always end his commentaries with the usual "This ain't our opinion!" disclaimer.

I'm not sure how long we've been allowing him to do the commentaries, but they seem to be a nice fit for our weekend shows. And hell, the guy is entertaining and a great soundbite machine for any political stories.

[The Mockingbird]

Anything that isn't a test pattern is good for the wekeend shows, ha ha.

[!]

So you know this for a fact?

No, because it wasn't checked.

[Vulcan]

I rather liked Julia's diatribes.

What really disappointed me, however, was the increasing frequency of the social messaging on the Cosby Show.
I agree. Cosby got viscous too.

[Who Cares???]

This thread scares me....

I basically never watch television. Never had one growing up, and neither has my kids... I guess what I'm saying is that everything that being said here is way over my head.

Funny... my whole life in the industry... who'd a thunk it...???