How much apology is too much apology?

Kelvin Hemholtz · Jan 2nd 2007, 09:37 PM

I think saying you're going to "personally call to apologize" is over the top ... makes you look like you're a little TOO worried about what this guy thinks of you.

Say you made a mistake, then move on.

Otherwise now you look like you're sucking up to this guy...

Quote:

NEW YORK -- CNN apologized Tuesday for mistakenly promoting a story on the search for Osama bin Laden with the headline "Where's Obama?"

A spokesman for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama said the apology was accepted.
The blunder came Monday evening on Wolf Blitzer's news show "The Situation Room." Both Soledad O'Brien and Blitzer offered separate apologies during CNN's morning show Tuesday.

CNN called it a "bad typographical error" by its graphics department.
"We want to apologize for that bad typo," Blitzer said. "We also want to apologize personally to Sen. Barack Obama. I'm going to be making a call to him later this morning to offer my personal apology."

The Mockingbird · Jan 3rd 2007, 02:37 AM

Well, the thing is, it's happened more than once.

Jan 3rd 2007, 07:43 AM

it also comes across as pompous, as if Wolf thinks it's only REALLY important if he deigns to get personally involved and call the guy.

plus you think Obama cares what Wolf Blitzer says?
doubtful.

The Mockingbird · Jan 3rd 2007, 09:09 AM

It's not Pompous, it's owning up to accountability.

He had a major screwup on his show, and he's apologizing to the guy he felt he wronged.

Confusing Barack Obama with Osama Bin Ladin is not too much different than getting James Earl Ray and James Earl Jones confused. I can see how one person could have made the mistake, but it should never have hit air like that.

Another side · Jan 3rd 2007, 09:19 AM

I realize that criticizing anyone successful at anything is a Medialine birth-right for the terminally cranky around here, but, for issuing a personal apology????

I'm not sure, but this may well be the first time in the history of the written word that someone has been called "pompous" for apologizing.

Clubbeat · Jan 3rd 2007, 09:42 AM

How in the world did something like this NOT pass by several sets of eyes before air? At least the producer should've caught it if not the EP.

When you're sloppy like that, a public apology is in order. Whether Wolf calls the guy personally is on him.

Kelvin Hemholtz · Jan 3rd 2007, 06:00 PM

For the sake of discussion, I guess you could see Blitzer taking himself and his show a little "too serious" in stating he's going to make a personal call to Obama. I didn't think of it that way at first... but yeah, I can see that.

My deal is this: how many times has your station maybe mis-identified someone or stated some "is supporting x, y and z" - only to find out that the word "NOT" was left out, so you have to correct it and apologize. "Mayor Stinkweed is NOT supporting X, Y, Z and we regret the reporting error." Nuff said.

You just apologize and move on. But I've NEVER heard of someone saying ON THE AIR that they were going to "personally call to apologize."

All I'm asking is if it looks like they are too beholden to this guy by this? I think you set yourself up when you make that kind of statement about ANY politician, regardless of party.

Then again, I don't recall similar statements when the infamous red X mysteriously appeared on Cheney's face. They just explained it was an error and went on.

If it was my call I say just apologize and MOVE ON.

Roy Hobbs · Jan 3rd 2007, 06:33 PM

I'm still contemplating the import of James Earl
Ray voicing some of Darth Vadar's lines.

Sultanosurf · Jan 3rd 2007, 07:38 PM

Agreed. Too much apology. Even the phone call was over the top.

The Mockingbird · Jan 4th 2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roy Hobbs:
I'm still contemplating the import of James Earl
Ray voicing some of Darth Vadar's lines.

Oh, it happens....

writer2 · Jan 4th 2007, 02:52 AM

I used to work at CNN. From what I know of Wolf, I think he felt really bad about the mistake. And he takes responsibility for everything that airs on his show.

[ January 04, 2007, 03:53 AM: Message edited by: writer2 ]

facts · Jan 4th 2007, 04:30 AM

I think the special circumstance here is that the typo mistook a US Senator for the world's most revilled terrorist.

If it said "where's Odama" no apology would be needed at all.

When Niger Innis's name was misspelled.. it too called for a personal apology. It was just a typo too, but the extra G was a problem.

Jan 3rd 2007, 09:42 AM	#6
Clubbeat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 924	How in the world did something like this NOT pass by several sets of eyes before air? At least the producer should've caught it if not the EP. When you're sloppy like that, a public apology is in order. Whether Wolf calls the guy personally is on him. __________________ You must command respect, not demand it.

Jan 4th 2007, 02:52 AM	#11
writer2 Open Line Elite Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: death valley Posts: 9,769	I used to work at CNN. From what I know of Wolf, I think he felt really bad about the mistake. And he takes responsibility for everything that airs on his show. [ January 04, 2007, 03:53 AM: Message edited by: writer2 ] __________________ Panic early and beat the rush.

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Jan 3rd 2007, 02:37 AM	#2
The Mockingbird SECRET NO/FORN Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: An Orbiter Posts: 16,660	Well, the thing is, it's happened more than once.

Jan 3rd 2007, 07:43 AM	#3
adam & doctor drew Guest Posts: n/a	it also comes across as pompous, as if Wolf thinks it's only REALLY important if he deigns to get personally involved and call the guy. plus you think Obama cares what Wolf Blitzer says? doubtful.

Jan 3rd 2007, 09:09 AM	#4
The Mockingbird SECRET NO/FORN Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: An Orbiter Posts: 16,660	It's not Pompous, it's owning up to accountability. He had a major screwup on his show, and he's apologizing to the guy he felt he wronged. Confusing Barack Obama with Osama Bin Ladin is not too much different than getting James Earl Ray and James Earl Jones confused. I can see how one person could have made the mistake, but it should never have hit air like that.

Jan 3rd 2007, 09:19 AM	#5
Another side Open Line Elite Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Midwest Posts: 12,868	I realize that criticizing anyone successful at anything is a Medialine birth-right for the terminally cranky around here, but, for issuing a personal apology???? I'm not sure, but this may well be the first time in the history of the written word that someone has been called "pompous" for apologizing.

Jan 3rd 2007, 06:00 PM	#7
Kelvin Hemholtz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: East of West Posts: 1,166	For the sake of discussion, I guess you could see Blitzer taking himself and his show a little "too serious" in stating he's going to make a personal call to Obama. I didn't think of it that way at first... but yeah, I can see that. My deal is this: how many times has your station maybe mis-identified someone or stated some "is supporting x, y and z" - only to find out that the word "NOT" was left out, so you have to correct it and apologize. "Mayor Stinkweed is NOT supporting X, Y, Z and we regret the reporting error." Nuff said. You just apologize and move on. But I've NEVER heard of someone saying ON THE AIR that they were going to "personally call to apologize." All I'm asking is if it looks like they are too beholden to this guy by this? I think you set yourself up when you make that kind of statement about ANY politician, regardless of party. Then again, I don't recall similar statements when the infamous red X mysteriously appeared on Cheney's face. They just explained it was an error and went on. If it was my call I say just apologize and MOVE ON.

Jan 3rd 2007, 06:33 PM	#8
Roy Hobbs Open Line Effete Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Between Gil, The Thrill and Kurtis, Bill Posts: 22,303	I'm still contemplating the import of James Earl Ray voicing some of Darth Vadar's lines.

Jan 3rd 2007, 07:38 PM	#9
Sultanosurf Starry Eyed Innocent Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sunwashed Surf Posts: 16,804	Agreed. Too much apology. Even the phone call was over the top.

Jan 4th 2007, 04:30 AM	#12
facts Open Line Veteran Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,161	I think the special circumstance here is that the typo mistook a US Senator for the world's most revilled terrorist. If it said "where's Odama" no apology would be needed at all. When Niger Innis's name was misspelled.. it too called for a personal apology. It was just a typo too, but the extra G was a problem.